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Tarot Card Meanings:
Five of Cups

Five of Cups: Overview and Symbols

The Five of Cups represents loss, regret, and emotional disappointment. This card signifies grief and the challenge of shifting focus to what remains.

Some Specific Symbols and Their Meanings in the Rider Waite Smith Tarot:

  • Figure cloaked in black: Symbolizes sorrow, grief, and a focus on loss as they face the three spilled cups.

  • Three spilled cups: Represent emotional disappointment, loss, or setbacks.

  • Two upright cups: Suggest what remains, potential hope, or new opportunities.

  • Flowing river: Indicates the ongoing passage of time and the process of moving forward.

  • Bridge and distant building: Reflect a path forward and the potential for healing and recovery.
five of cups from the rider waite smith tarot
Five of Cups as depicted in the Rider-Waite Smith Tarot by A.E. White, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith

Five of Cups: Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Loss, regret, disappointment, focus on grief, emotional setback, perspective shift, healing potential.

The Five of Cups in the tarot signifies a time of loss or regret, where emotional disappointment may be overshadowing your view of what still remains. This card represents grief and a natural focus on what has been lost, yet it gently reminds you that there are still positive aspects in your life waiting to be recognized. It reflects the importance of allowing yourself to process sorrow while keeping in mind that healing and hope are possible. The Five of Cups encourages you to gradually shift your perspective, acknowledging both the pain and the potential for new beginnings that lie beyond your current focus.

Five of Cups: Reversed Card Meanings

Keywords/Phrases: Acceptance, moving on, emotional recovery, forgiveness, renewed perspective, hope restored.

When the Five of Cups appears reversed in a tarot reading, it signifies a readiness to move beyond loss and embrace emotional recovery. This card suggests acceptance of the past and the ability to shift focus from regret toward hope and potential. It reflects a renewed perspective, where healing begins, and the heart opens again to new opportunities. The reversed Five of Cups encourages you to forgive, let go of lingering disappointments, and find the strength to rebuild, trusting that better days lie ahead.

Gallery: Five of Cups in Various Decks