The Queen Of Cups Tarot Card, A Complete Guide!

The Queen of Cups Card is presented as a card of the suit of Cups of the Minor Arcana of most Tarot Decks.

In the Rider Waite deck introduced in 1910, the illustration on the card is that of a young queen, sitting on a decorated and ornate throne, with all her attention and focus on the cup she is holding with both hands. The cup is covered.

The queen wears silver and blue robes, with a lining of red that is mostly hidden. The throne she sits on is decorated with several motifs such as cherubs and baby mermaids. One of them holds a fish. A shell forms the top half of the crown, while the sea at the queen’s feet, is calm.

Each of these elements on the face of the card has a specific meaning and symbolism. For instance, the sliver of red on the queen’s robes is thought to be symbolic of hidden passions that are buried deep within the queen’s consciousness, something that the world is not privy to.

The queen sits on a throne that is placed on the edge of a water body, perhaps a sea. This position is a symbol that she lies between land and water and is at a place where only thoughts and feelings exist.

Her feet aren’t touching the serene water and hence, this is often taken to mean that she can analyze her thoughts and emotions from the outside.

This guide takes a good look at the different meanings this card can have in different positions and also further explains the relevant symbolism on the Queen of Cups card.

Table of Contents

What does the Queen of Cups Tarot card mean?

The Queen of Cups card is generally thought to be a card that talks about the emotions and feelings of the seeker of the reading or the situation the seeker is involved in.

The Queen of Cups card represents someone who is nurturing and caring. This Queen is sensitive and respectful of the strength of her emotions. She is in sync with the energy of the land and water flowing around her and is in sync with her emotions and not necessarily overwhelmed by them.

The Queen of Cups is largely positive in its meaning in a reading. If this card shows up as a symbol of you, you are someone who is connected with others on an emotional level and is largely thought of as someone fair and sensitive to others’ sentiments.

The Queen of Cups Tarot card upright

The Queen of Cups upright is a fairly positive card and can be explained with reference to the imagery of the card.

The Queen of Cups in an upright position denotes a woman or feminine figure, who is in sync with their emotions and subconscious mind and yet, not completely overwhelmed by them.

This queen is very intuitive and is similar to the High Priestess in this regard. She has a motherly and nurturing vibe about her, that draws people towards her, expecting to be nudged in the right direction of their emotional development.

This aspect of the card can also be interpreted in the way of your Higher Self asking you to seek help in developing your emotional intelligence.

If you feel like an inner voice is telling you to step back and evaluate your emotional well-being, heed that voice and check to see if you have lately, been lacking in the self-love department.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card Keywords Upright

Compassionate
Calm
Healing
Caring
Sensitive
Nurturing
Emotionally Balanced
Motherly
Intuitive
Serene
Secure

What does the Queen of Cups Tarot card mean reversed?

The Queen of Cups might also occasionally appear in a reversed position. Like most reversed Tarot cards, this may appear as a warning sign to the seeker.

In reverse, the Queen of Cups card is symbolic of a woman or feminine figure who is out of sync with her inner feelings. She is no longer emotionally balanced and often feels like she is the victim in any situation she faces.

This might also indicate that the seeker is emotionally drained because they have been too busy taking care of others, and the well has now run dry. It is time to turn inwards and heal your own emotions and concentrate on your well-being.

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The seeker should also check if they have been bottling up their emotions and have not been allowing their feelings to be positively expressed. On the flip side, this could also be a situation where the seeker is letting their emotions run amuck and get the better of them.

In most cases, the Queen of Cups in reverse can often be taken as a subtle warning to the seeker to right their inner emotional course.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card Keywords in Reverse

Emotional Imbalance
Co-dependency
Emotional Baggage
Illogical
Dramatic
Emotional Manipulation
Emotional Exhaustion
Insecure
Needy
Weak
Shallow

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as How Someone (He/She) Sees You

The Queen of Cups is the perfect embodiment of a nurturing figure who is warm and motherly. Thus, when the Queen of Cups shows up in a reading, it may denote the following.

If you, the seeker, have someone in mind while doing the reading, it can be assumed that the person sees you as someone very loving and kind-hearted.

If you are represented by the Queen of Cups, you are someone who has their emotions in check and yet can nurture and navigate through the feelings of others. You are seen as someone who goes beyond the physical shell of the individual and is more concerned about the heart and soul of the person.

You are not interested in the superficial and would rather spend the day discussing how a person feels, rather than going out shopping and spending money on material things.

The Queen of Cups is also compared to the paintings of Ruben and maybe a mature woman who is quite possibly, curvy, with a large full, figure. If this sounds like you, the card may also be talking about your physical features.

The Queen of Cups in Reverse as How Someone (He/She) Sees You

In the reverse, the Queen of Cups is someone who is letting her emotions get the better of her.

Thus, someone may see you as a person whose emotions are spiraling out of control. You may be seen as someone full of self-created drama, someone with a victim mindset.

If you, the seeker, have been denying responsibility for your actions, the Queen of Swords in reverse points to the fact that you do not seem to take accountability for your situation.

The world may see you as someone who may overreact. Do not let your imagination run wild, because this is what someone sees you as unnecessarily dramatic and overly sensitive.

What Does the Queen of Cups Tarot Mean in Love?

If the Queen of Cups shows up in a tarot reading, in the upright position, it could point to a couple of scenarios. In a love reading, the appearance of the Queen of Cups could be taken literally or metaphorically.

The Queen of Cups in Love could denote a person who is mature and well-meaning. They have a very nurturing and caring nature, and they put an effort into sustaining the relationship. This could be you or your other half.

The Queen of Cups does not always have to be a woman. The person could have a personality that reflects the nature of the Queen of Cups. If you are single, this card could indicate someone of such a nature might soon enter your life.

This card, if taken metaphorically, could also mean that the existing relationship is a happy and secure one. The relationship is your safe space and you can expect your partner’s full support and encouragement. They have invested in seeing you happy and are reliable and compassionate.

The Queen of Cups Reversed Meaning in Love

The Queen of Cups in reverse does not bring with it any positive connotations and should be taken as a warning.

In reverse, the Queen of Cups in a Love reading is indicative of the fact that either you or your partner are emotionally immature and may excessively depend on the other.

The card should be taken as a warning in the sense that it is time for some deep introspection. Look closely at how you or the other person reacts to situations. If you or your partner get angry easily, for example, and struggle to control their emotions, the Queen of Cups may be warning you to keep this in check so that the situation does not escalate into something worse.

Have you been keeping grudges or some sort of bitterness bottled up inside? The Queen of Cups, in reverse, is warning you not to keep your emotions captive inside you, but to learn how to process them, if you want the relationship to thrive.

The advice here would be to listen to your Higher Self and talk through these feelings with your partner or a trusted friend, who will hear you out and not judge you.

Often, if remain unchecked, these feelings will stay bottled up until the day you finally burst open. The Queen of Cups in reverse is asking you not to let things get to this stage.

The Queen of Cups Tarot as How Someone Thinks of You

The Queen of Cups often come up as an answer to the question, “What do they think of me?”. When you do a reading with this on your mind and get the Queen of Cups card in an upright position, it may mean the following.

The Queen of Cups denotes that someone thinks of you as being very wise and intuitive. You are thought of as a very sensitive individual and someone who looks beyond the physical realm.

This card in an upright position is a sign that you are thought of in a very positive light.

You are compassionate and care about the people around you, and that comes through. Whoever you are thinking of when you did the reading, thinks of you as someone who is the perfect balance of kindness, sensitivity, and love.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as How Someone Thinks of You

The Queen of Cups in reverse is not a good sign. It may mean the following.

If the Queen of Cups shows up in reverse as an answer to how someone thinks of you, you may well need to make some changes in the way you think and behave, in terms of being emotionally intelligent and mature. This person thinks of you as being immature and needy.

Perhaps you have not been taking accountability for your actions, or you may have been overreacting at anything and everything. Whatever the case may be, the Queen of Cups in Reverse warns the seeker to make changes or risk everything being destroyed.

Do not keep your emotions bottled up, as this will only cause you more stress and strain.

When someone sees you as being emotionally immature and overly dramatic, it does not mean that this cannot be changed. You do have the opportunity to introspect and change your behavior so that the perception of the person towards you changes in time.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as Feelings

The illustration on the card itself is key to understanding the Queen of Cups as a card denoting feelings.

The Queen of Cups Upright is all about emotions and feelings. This Queen is very in sync with her inner self and often uses her feelings and gut to judge situations and people.

The Queen of Cups as a feelings card is often thought to have deep ties to the subconscious mind. The Queen sits on the edge of the water and the Cups suit itself is also linked to the element of water. Water is always linked to deep feelings and emotions.

Thus, if the question in your mind is to do with how a person feels for you, this card tells the seeker that they do have deep feelings for you. They want to be the ones taking care of you and nurturing you, just like the nature of the Queen of Cups.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as Feelings

The Queen of Cups in reverse does not denote the best intentions.

The Queen of Cups in reverse is a card that denotes repressed emotions. Therefore, the person you have in mind may not be in the best mental state to offer you the kind of relationship you would like.

The feelings may be of high co-dependency. Perhaps they have been hurt in the past and are yet to properly process those pent-up emotions, thus making their entire state unstable and needy.

The Queen of Cups in reverse directly contradicts the emotional strength and resilience that an upright Queen of Cups stands for. Hence, if this card shows up in reverse as an answer to how someone feels about you, this is not the correct time to pursue this situation.

The Queen of Cups Tarot card as A Situation

The Queen of Cups, as a symbol of the current situation, is a positive sign to get in a reading.

The Queen of Cups Tarot card as a situation denotes that it would be wise for you to listen to your inner voice when dealing with current events. Your emotions will guide you toward taking the right course of action, and things will turn out to work in your favor.

The Queen of Cups is a card that is all about intuitive, subconscious thoughts and emotions. Thus, it could mean that your feelings towards a certain person or event are pretty much bang on target.

It could also mean that you feel a certain need to take care of someone, being the warm-hearted, nurturing soul that you are. It could also mean the reverse, in that someone else is in your life or will soon enter your life and wants to be the Queen of Cups to you. They want to take care of you in this situation.

Whatever the case may be, it is important to follow your instincts, because you are in harmony with your Higher Self and can be trusted to take the correct path.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as A Situation

The Queen of Cups reversed as a card denoting the situation being faced is opposite to the upright Queen of Swords. Here’s what it may mean.

The Queen of Cups reversed as a situation card is indicative of the fact that you may not be in the best frame of mind to take the correct decision, since you are being controlled by your emotions, instead of it being the other way around.

If you look at the Queen of Cups in reverse, you will notice that the water is on the top half of the card, and is rushing towards the head of the Queen, so to speak. This can be interpreted as you drowning in your emotions and hence, as being inherently unstable.

Because you are so busy with your feelings, you may not have enough information about the situation. There may be some aspects that may be hidden from you. Proceed carefully and get a rein on your emotional reactions before you make a decision.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as Intentions / What Someone Wants

The Queen of Cups is a positive, albeit interesting card to get when you ask for a person’s intentions.

The Queen of Cups as an intentions card is generally positive because it means that the person wants to take care of you and nurture you, as represented by this Queen. Their feelings run deep and are emotional and true.

Notice that the cup held by the Queen of Cups is closed with a lid and the handles of the cups are almost like angels. This symbolism is taken to mean that the emotions and feelings of the Queen of Cups come from deep within and aren’t superficial.

The angelic handles are a symbol of the divine connection that the Queen shares with her emotions.

Hence, in terms of what someone wants, the Queen of Cups is a very positive sign. This is not a casual fling that they want. If given enough love and care, the relationship will thrive, and you will be with a person who is deeply intuitive about your needs.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as Intentions / What Someone Wants

In reverse, the Queen of Cups card is a strong indication of something not being completely right.

The Queen of Cups in the reversed position shows someone who doesn’t have the purest of intentions at heart. This may not be intentional, but this person is needy and maybe very clingy since they aren’t in control of how they feel and act.

This card in the reverse shows a person who is drowning in their emotions. The cup may open at any time and this symbolizes a lack of control. This may result in a victim mindset, where the person feels that the world is out to get them.

This is not the best time to get into a relationship with this person. The relationship may not necessarily be romantic but could also be a work or a business partnership.

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Is the Queen of Cups Tarot card a Yes or a No?

Sometimes, cards from the Minor Arcana might seem confusing in their meanings in a Yes/No reading. It is often a matter of interpretation and the situation surrounding the reading.

Generally speaking, an upright Queen of Cups card is an affirmative ‘Yes.’

If you are doing a simple Yes/No reading, especially for a love interest, the answer is Yes.

The person opposite you, whether that is a potential love interest or a professional colleague, has sincere emotions and cares deeply for you. Their intentions are pure, and they have genuinely warm and positive feelings for you.

In the reverse position, the Queen of Cups card is a ‘No.’

This person may be feeling needy and may be dependent on you. This is not a situation you should get entangled in.

It is important to note that the Queen of Cups is all about deep, subconscious emotions. This is not a typical yes/no card like say, a Major Arcana card.

You must weigh the pros and cons of the situation without letting your emotions overwhelm you.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as an Obstacle or Challenge

The Queen of Cups as a card representing challenges is all about your emotions and intuition.

When the Queen of Cups shows up in a reading as an Obstacle card, the challenge is to do with how you control your subconscious emotions and reactions to the world around you.

One only needs to look at how focused the Queen of Cups is, as she looks at the cup, she holds to understand that there is a fine line between concentration and obsession.

The Queen could be easily thought to be fixated on the cup, and this may symbolize the challenge of keeping your emotions in check while handling any given situation.

The Queen of Cups is also thought to be symbolic of someone who spends an eternity dreaming up their ideal world, complete with all that they would like to see or have. And yet, they don’t make the effort to convert those dreams into reality.

This may not be because they aren’t hardworking enough but is more likely because they are so immersed in that dream world, that they forget the outer world that surrounds them.

Hence, this card warms the seeker not to become too involved with their emotions, to learn how to step back from imagination, and also work towards transforming their dreams into reality.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as an Obstacle or Challenge

While the upright Queen of Cups can be interpreted as a slight bump in the road, the Queen of Cups in reverse is a slightly more serious obstacle.

The Queen of Cups reversed as an obstacle is indicative of someone that has let their emotions overwhelm and control them, instead of it being the other way around. This poses a huge challenge since excessive illogical drama will not allow you to take an astute decision to solve a problem you face.

This card may also symbolize an elder female or feminine figure, who has a strong victim mentality and would rather escape into an imaginary world, rather than take accountability for her actions.

She may be manipulative and needy, caring more about self-preservation than about others surrounding her. Her intuitive nature may cause others grief, as this ability will be used for more devious needs instead of helping others as the upright Queen of Cups would.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as Action

The Queen of Cups is not an ‘action’ card in the strictest sense of the word. However, it could be interpreted as follows.

As an action card, The Queen of Cups does not have much to do with physical action, but more to do with deep thinking or emotional introspection. This Queen is someone who prefers to think about how she feels, rather than facing reality to take steps to alter the reality she faces.

Hence, if you have received the Queen of Cups as an action card, especially in a love reading, it is important to understand that even if this person likes you and has genuinely positive feelings for you, it does not mean that these feelings will translate into them taking a step towards letting you know.

Yes, their feelings are positive. They probably like you a great deal too. But the nature of the Queen of Cups is not that of a doer or a go-getter, unlike say, the fiery Queen of Wands.

The Queen of Cups is a passive card. She continues to sit on her throne and gaze at her cup of subconscious emotions, rather than standing up and acting on those feelings.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as Action

The Queen of Cups in reverse asks the seeker to take action before the situation gets completely out of hand.

In the reverse, the Queen of Cups as an action card symbolizes that the seeker’s emotions are running unchecked, causing them to focus more on their feelings and inner state, rather than paying attention to the situation around them.

Thus, the card acts as a warning, telling the seeker to get their head out of the clouds and their inner dream world and take action instead of blaming others.

Yes, the Queen of Cups in reverse is a card that shows excessive emotional manipulation. But the card can also be taken as a warning that asks the seeker to change their behavior so that they retain some modicum of control over what is taking place.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as Advice

The Queen of Cups is a beautiful card to get as an advice card.

The Queen of Cups as an advice card tells the seeker to listen to their heart instead of their head because their emotions are guiding them onto the right path, towards the outcome they desire.

The Queen of Cups is someone who is in tune with how she feels. She is intuitive and knows what the outcome of a situation is going to be. This card is all about the pure and deep emotional response of the Queen.

Therefore, when you get this card as advice, if you are to make a decision, let your intuition guide you.

If this is to do with a particular individual and how you should deal with them, be like the Queen of Cups. Listen to this person’s feelings, talk to them, and try and draw out how they feel.

The compassion and sensitivity of the Queen of Cups make her a very warm person. Use your inherent warmth to nurture this individual and make them feel like you can be trusted by understanding their inner state.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as Advice

The Queen of Cups usually shows up in the reverse if there are repressed emotions or excessive emotional neediness involved.

The Queen of Cups in the reverse as an advice card symbolizes the need for you or the person opposite you in the given situation, to either control their emotions or let their feelings out.

In the reversed position, the Queen of Cups symbolizes one of the two extremes- either the person, you, or someone else, isn’t allowing themselves to feel anything and has lost touch with their Inner Self, or someone is becoming clingy and is exhibiting signs of co-dependency.

In either situation, the Queen of Cups asks the seeker to address these problems before they get out of control. Hence, in reverse, as an advice card, the Queen of Swords isn’t a negative card if it is heeded as a warning to address the prevalent issues.

Be conscious of your feelings and allow yourself the space to feel them, instead of simply trying to bury them within you.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as an Outcome

The Queen of Cups as an outcome card is generally indicative of pleasant circumstances.

As an outcome, the Queen of Cups symbolizes a situation where you have received the desired end as a result of your compassion and keen intuition.

The Queen of Cups is often considered the counselor and psychic of the tarot, and it is her innate sense of perception and clairvoyance that leads her to take the correct decisions. You should rest easy, knowing that the outcome of the situation will be positive.

The Queen of Cups as an outcome card could also mean that the outcome will be influenced by someone who displays the characteristics of the Queen of Cups. This person will be kind, compassionate, and nurturing, and will have your best interests at heart.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as an Outcome

The Queen of Cups reversed is the antithesis of all the good that the upright Queen of Cups stands for.

As an outcome card, the Queen of Cups in reverse symbolizes an outcome that has you immersed and almost drowning in the emotional aspect of the situation, without much thought to the practical side.

It could also mean that there is a female or feminine figure manipulating the situation, where not only are they only looking out for themselves, but they may also be keeping certain truths hidden from you.

This person may also lack boundaries and may give too much of herself away, leading to an outcome where they blame others for the lack of positivity in their life.

If this sounds like you, it is time for some introspection as to what triggers this behavior and how you can keep a better check on your emotional well-being.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as the Future

The Queen of Cups showing up as an indication of the future is a very positive one.

As a card symbolizing the future, taken literally, the Queen of Cups is indicative of a warm and loving woman or female figure in your life, who may already exist as a mother or sister, or someone who is soon to enter your life.

Taken symbolically, either the situation you’re in resolves itself through you or someone else taking on traits of the Queen of Cups. This is someone (or you) who is compassionate and often puts the needs of others before himself/herself.

Either way, the future is bright and supportive of your dreams and aspirations.

If you are single, you may soon meet someone who nurtures and cares for you like the Queen of Cups. This may also be someone who shares a professional relationship with you if you aren’t looking to be in a romantic relationship at the moment.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as the Future

The Queen of Cups in reverse is an indication that things may not go the way you want.

As a future card, the Queen of Cups reversed, could either mean the entrance of a manipulative and needy female figure, who is obsessed with something. It could also indicate that you need to get a better hold of your emotions and reactions.

If you have been too giving in the past, the Queen of Cups reversed as your future, could indicate that you are now tired of giving and that the well has run dry. It is time for you to stop focusing on others.

You must start giving yourself that love and nurturing, instead of repressing and bottling up your emotions. Unless you start your journey of self-love, you will endure much stress and anxiety in the future.

If this sounds like another person in your life, start communicating with them to see if you can be their Queen of Cups. Your intentions might be pure, and perhaps this is what they need to get back on track.

The Queen of Cups Tarot Card as a Person

The Queen of Cups as a person is one of the best cards to draw in a reading.

When it comes to a person, the Queen of Cups upright symbolizes a mature woman or figure who is compassionate and warm. This person is very giving and loyal to those she cares about.

The Queen of Cups is someone who possesses a strong sense of intuition and often uses her emotions to judge a person or situation. She may not have a strong sense of practicality, but she probably knows that and has accepted it as part of her.

This person is also empathetic and goes beyond the physical shell of a person when trying to assess them. She is more concerned with their heart and how they feel. She isn’t very logical, but is creative, with a very strong imagination.

The Queen of Cups Reversed as a Person

The Queen of Cups reversed, as a person, can be someone you might need to watch out for and even avoid, depending on your situation.

In reverse, the Queen of Cups is a person who is manipulative and acts out of self-preservation. In her opinion, she is always the victim and blames the world for treating her rough. She is also clingy and needy.

Often a person symbolized by a reversed Queen of Swords displays strong signs of co-dependency and is emotionally unstable. She has trouble managing her life because her emotions rule her every move, making her prone to becoming overly dramatic.

What Zodiac Sign is the Queen of Cups?

The Queen of Cups is symbolic of a Water sign. Being a Minor Arcana card, she does not refer to a specific zodiac sign.

Nevertheless, all the cards in the suit of Cups denote the Water signs of Cancer, Scorpio, and Pisces.

Water is often thought to represent feelings and emotions. The power of water can be refreshing and gentle, as well as destructive and damaging. The Queen of Cups can be like this too- gentle and nurturing while upright, and manipulative when reversed.

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Minor Arcana Cards – Cups

King of Cups
Queen of Cups
Knight of Cups
Page of Cups
Ten of Cups
Nine of Cups
Eight of Cups
Seven of Cups
Six of Cups
Five of Cups
Four of Cups
Three of Cups
Two of Cups
Ace of Cups

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