This blog post contains affiliate links. Visit the full disclosure to know more.
Category: Minor Arcana
The Three of Cups is the third card in the Cups suit of the Minor Arcana. The vibrant imagery of three women raising their cups in a toast signifies unity, friendship, and the pleasures of communal gatherings.
We’ll uncover many facets of this card’s symbolism and meaning. If any questions arise, feel free to drop them in the comments below. And, in the spirit of unity and sharing joy, if this card has ever appeared in a reading for you, we welcome you to share your experience in the comments. We’ll greet your story with a three-cup cheer.
Three of Cups: Description
The Three of Cups in the Rider-Waite tarot deck portrays three women joyfully dancing in a circle, each holding a cup up high in a toast. They stand in the midst of a bountiful harvest of fruits and vegetables, symbolizing abundance and prosperity.
The central theme of the Three of Cups revolves around celebration, friendship, and unity. In fact, the women’s posture and gestures convey a feeling of mutual support, highlighting the importance of teamwork and collaboration. This card encourages us to embrace the spirit of community and to appreciate positive relationships.
The women’s flowing garments and radiant expressions confirm the sense of celebration and highlight the importance of friendship and emotional connection. This card is a vibrant depiction of shared happiness and communal festivities. It encourages readers to embrace the bonds of friendship and cherish the moments of joy and togetherness in our lives.
Here is the description of the Three of Cups tarot card in the Rider-Waite deck. This deck is the most commonly used in English-speaking countries and is definitely worth having. As mentioned in our list of Best Tarot Decks in 2024, it is perfectly suitable for both beginners and advanced users. Click here to purchase the Rider-Waite Tarot deck.
Three of Cups tarot card: Keywords
UPRIGHT: Celebration – Friendship – Unity – Joy – Togetherness – Abundance – Merriment – Fulfillment – Healing
REVERSED: Excess – Overindulgence – Disconnection – Discord – Alienation – Wasted Potential – Dispatch – End
Three of Cups: Upright Meaning
The Three of Cups upright in a tarot reading signifies vibrant celebrations (much like the Four of Wands), cherished friendships, and deep connections with others. It paints a picture of a reader embraced by a supportive and loving community, embodied by the three maidens symbolizing their circle of friends. These friends offer unwavering compassion and support, whether they’re lifelong companions, trusted colleagues, or beloved family members.
Celebrate friendships and the richness of community. Appreciate shared joy.
The card pulsates with the spirit of unity and camaraderie, urging the reader to revel in the joys of togetherness and appreciate the richness of their social bonds. Moreover, the Three of Cups whispers of abundance and prosperity, as evidenced by the abundant harvest depicted. It prompts readers to savor every moment of shared happiness.
It’s a call to action for collective emotional investment, where people rally together to uplift and empower one another. And for those who may have encountered social hurdles, this card signals a promising resolution, ushering in an era of renewed harmony and connection.
Three of Cups: Reversed Meaning
The Three of Cups reversed in a tarot reading suggests disruptions in social harmony and strained relationships. It indicates a period where the reader may feel disconnected from their community or experience conflicts within their social circle. The once vibrant celebrations may now feel hollow or marred by tension.
The card reversed warns against overindulgence and superficial connections. It urges the reader to reevaluate their priorities and seek genuine emotional fulfillment.
Overcome disconnection, hugging genuine connections.
Additionally, the Three of Cups reversed may signify feelings of loneliness or isolation, as the bonds of friendship and camaraderie seem to falter. It serves as a reminder to address any underlying issues and work towards resolving conflicts to restore connections.
Despite the challenges, this card offers an opportunity for introspection and growth. It encourages to prioritize authentic relationships and meaningful connections over fleeting pleasures.
Three of Cups: Love meaning
The Three of Cups in tarot holds significant implications for matters of love and relationships, both upright and reversed, catering to both singles and couples.
In its upright position, the Three of Cups indicates a period of joyful celebration and emotional fulfillment in love. For singles, this card suggests the potential for exciting new connections and social gatherings where romance may blossom amidst shared laughter and camaraderie. It encourages singles to embrace opportunities to meet new people and enjoy the vibrant energy of social settings. For couples, the Three of Cups signifies a time of deepening bonds, mutual support, and shared happiness. It encourages couples to celebrate their love openly and to strengthen their connection through shared experiences and joyful moments together.
Conversely, when the Three of Cups appears reversed in a love reading, it may indicate challenges or disruptions in romantic relationships. For singles, it suggests potential conflicts or misunderstandings within social circles, hindering the prospects of finding love or forming meaningful connections. It advises singles to address any underlying issues or tensions before seeking new relationships. For couples, the reversed Three of Cups warns against neglecting the emotional needs of each other and falling into patterns of superficial interactions. It prompts couples to communicate openly, resolve conflicts, and prioritize genuine emotional connection to reignite the spark in their relationship.
Three of Cups: Key symbols
Here, we will explore some of the key symbols of the Three of Cups tarot card in the Rider-Waite deck. Specifically, we’ll delve into the details of the three women dancing, the three cups, and the fruits and vegetables laid on the grass.
Three Women Dancing
In the Three of Cups tarot card, three women joyfully dance in a circle, a central symbol of unity, friendship, and shared celebrations. Each woman holds a cup aloft, symbolizing camaraderie and mutual support, highlighting the importance of social connections and emotional bonds. This representation embodies the joyous energy and harmonious interactions that arise when people come together in celebration and solidarity.
It’s noteworthy that the Three of Cups shifts focus from the previous card, the Two of Cups, which emphasized one-to-one relationships. Here, the emphasis is on community. While the Two of Cups featured a man and a woman facing each other, the Three of Cups presents three women in a dance circle, viewing each other with respect and admiration as they mutually participate in celebration. This portrayal reflects the ideal behavior of all communities.
The scene of three women dancing bears resemblance to Sandro Botticelli’s painting, “Primavera” or “Spring”, housed in the Uffizi Museum in Florence. In the painting, three women, known as the Three Graces, dance in a circle amidst a grove of orange and laurel trees. The parallels between the Three of Cups tarot card and Botticelli’s painting are striking, offering a fascinating connection between art and divination.
Three Cups
The cups held by the women in the Three of Cups tarot card are emblematic of emotional fulfillment and abundance. They signify the overflowing of emotions and the richness of human connections. The act of raising the cups in a toast symbolizes the sharing of joy and the acknowledgment of life’s blessings. These cups represent the capacity for love, compassion, and generosity that flows between individuals in harmonious relationships.
Fruits and Vegetables
Surrounding the dancing women in the Three of Cups card is a lush harvest of fruits and vegetables. It’s easy to distinguish grapes, pumpkins, oranges, and apples, all symbolizing abundance, prosperity, and the harvest of life’s rewards. In particular, grapes symbolize fertility and luck, as evidenced by the grape held by the woman on the right.
This abundance suggests a time of plenty and fulfillment, where one’s efforts yield fruitful results. The presence of these bountiful crops reinforces the theme of celebration and underscores the idea that joy and abundance go hand in hand. Together with the dancing women and their cups, the fruits and vegetables serve as a reminder to appreciate the richness of life and the blessings that come from nurturing meaningful connections with others.
Three of Cups: Does it mean Yes or No in a tarot reading?
While some interpretations may suggest that the Three of Cups represents a resounding “yes” in tarot inquiries, it’s essential to understand that Yes or No tarot readings aren’t accurate. Let’s delve into why.
Although the upright Three of Cups is often considered a clear “yes”, its interpretation can vary based on the context of the question. For example, let’s consider the question, “Should I learn to spend time alone and prioritize myself?”. As said, the Three of Cups card is generally associated with a positive answer (Yes), but considering some of its keywords – like friendship, unity, and togetherness –, its relevance to the question may require deeper analysis.
This example illustrates the importance of examining the context of the question rather than seeking a simplistic Yes or No answer. Tarot readings offer opportunities for reflection and broader perspectives on our circumstances, guiding us toward greater awareness and understanding.
To explore further why Yes or No tarot readings may not always be accurate, click here.
Three of Cups in Rider-Waite and Marseille Tarot decks
The Rider-Waite and Marseille Tarot decks showcase notable differences in symbolism, art style, and portrayal of the Minor Arcana.
Originating from the early 20th century, the Rider-Waite deck features intricate scenes on all cards, including the Minor Arcana, which serve to clearly convey each card’s meaning. This design makes it particularly accessible to beginners, as the imagery aids in intuitive reading.
In contrast, the Marseille Tarot deck, dating back to the 17th century, adopts a more traditional approach. Particularly in the Minor Arcana, it employs geometric arrangements of suit symbols (cups, pentacles, swords, and wands) without the detailed scenes found in the Rider-Waite deck.
In the Marseille rendition of the Three of Cups, the scene unfolds with three grand cups taking center stage. Positioned in perfect symmetry, one majestically stands atop while the other two grace the bottom, creating a captivating visual harmony. This portrayal starkly contrasts with the Rider-Waite version, yet both resonate with a shared essence. Across both interpretations, the Three of Cups serves as a timeless emblem of camaraderie and the bonds of friendship, weaving stories of connection and celebration through the ages.
Here we come to the conclusion of our deep dive into the Three of Cups tarot card. Throughout our exploration, we’ve uncovered many facets of this card’s symbolism and meaning. However, if anything remains unclear or if new questions arise, don’t hesitate to leave a comment below.
And in the spirit of community and unity, feel free to share in the comments if this card has ever appeared in a reading. Your stories are always welcome, and we’ll greet them with a three-cups cheer.
