Minor Arcana
Knight of Cups
The active quester of Cups: charming and sincere when grounded, and risky when hooked on the drama of feeling.
- quest
- romance
- invitation
- idealism
- emotional pursuit
Upright meaning
The heart takes to the road with a cup held carefully forward. The Knight of Cups pursues romance, beauty and causes that mean something to him.
Reversed meaning
The pursuit may be for show, or more in love with the chase than with the person or truth it seeks.
Symbolism
- mounted cupbearer — Feeling made mobile and quest-directed.
- covered cup — A message or offer that must be carried carefully.
- river road — Movement guided by emotional current.
- moon — Romantic imagination, dream, and changeable mood.
Lore
A gentle knight rides along a river road under a pale moon, holding a covered cup in front of him like an invitation. He stands for following your heart towards someone or something, and for making sure the gesture is backed by action.
In daily life, this card can bring an invitation, a romantic interest or an overdue apology, and a choice to follow what matters over what is strategic.