Element: Water

Symbols: Lotuses in Water (enlightenment, rebirth, fertility), Dove (peace, love, divine inspiration), Fice Streams of Water (four elements and

Upright: love, new feelings, emotional awakening, creativity, spirituality, intuition

Reversed: coldness, emptiness, emotional loss, blocked creativity, feeling unloved, gloominess 


In the Ace of Cups card, there is a hand emanating from the clouds holding out a cup, as if in a offer to the querent to take a drink. This cup is overflowing with sparkling water which symbolizes pure and pristine emotion. If you take this offer, drinking from this cup will surely bring you nothing short of emotional as well as spiritual fulfillment.

The cup has five streams of water overflowing from the brim. These five streams represent the power of intuition and show the importance of listening to your inner voice. In order to obtain the kind of emotional or spiritual fulfillment that is depicted in the Ace of Cups, the querent will need to follow this inner voice, and remain true to it, regardless of the situation. This will require emotional discipline, but the rewards that this can bring are hinted at within the card itself: overflowing joy and happiness.

Ace of Cups - Card Meaning

Upright Ace of Cups Meaning

Getting the Ace of Cups upright shows that it's time to let loose of whatever emotional baggage you have and start living your life to the fullest. Like with all the other aces, there is a new beginning that is indicated here - a chance to start fresh. It might come in the form of opening yourself up to the possibilities of new relationships, romantic or otherwise, that have the ability to make you emotionally fulfilled.

The release indicated by this card may either be spiritual or emotional, depending on what you are going through. The Ace of Cups may come to a reading after a long period of being lonely or enduring something that deeply hurt you emotionally, and it's appearance may be there to herald the turning over a new leaf.

It is important for one to open themselves to more opportunities for friendships, love and spiritual learnings. There is a chance now to put your past behind you, for you are being offered the gifts of the cups.

It is up to you whether you take the cup and drink to the fullest.

Upright Ace of Cups Tarot Meaning: Love

One of happiest cards to get in a love tarot reading, the Ace of Cups suggests the awakening of new feelings. Should you be single, you may find yourself developing a new romantic relationship, or a friendship that will be deeply meaningful to you. If you are already in a relationship, a new stage of intimacy, compassion and understanding can be reached between the two of you. The Ace of Cups tarot love meaning signals there is an opportunity for you now to grow emotionally, spiritually and creatively, should you take the cup and drink. At this time, decisions made from feelings and intuition are favored; learn to trust what your gut says and avoid over-analyzing situations.

Reversed Ace of Cups Meaning

When the Ace of Cups is overturned, the image here is clearest - the waters pour out of the cup, it becomes empty, the gift of its waters are being wasted. Seeing the Ace of Cups upside down during your reading means you have been enduring emotional instability or pain for some time. There is a loss that is indicated here, and perhaps something that has meant much to you is no longer giving you the joy that it once had.

Since the cups also govern creativity, you may also be experiencing a creative block of sorts, and where the waters of inspiration once flowed, they have now dried up.

In all these cases you must examine who or what is in control of the cup - which party allowed it to overturn? What can you do to place it right side up again?

Reversed Ace of Cups Tarot Meaning: Love

Some sadness and emotional upset can be signaled by the reversed Ace of Cups tarot love meaning. This may have stemmed from an argument or even a break up, leaving you to feel alone and vulnerable. This card can also simply mean feeling a bit somber about your current relationship, or perhaps having a temporary loss of faith. Something is blocking you from being able to experience, give and receive true love. You may not be meeting your partner, or others in general, with an open heart. It is likely that insecurity is playing a strong role; we must all be able to love ourselves before we can truly love another person. Try and look inward, and give yourself the love that you want before seeking it in another.