Tarot Six of Cups: Symbolism and In-Depth Meaning

What is the 6 of Cups card?

In the 78-card Tarot deck, the Six of Cups (6 Cốc) belongs to the group of 14 Minor Arcana cards in the suit of Cups, representing the element of Water and the realms of emotion, intuition and relationships. This card is often associated with childhood, memory and purity. When drawn, its meaning is understood according to present-day reading, which differs from the divinatory meaning A. E. Waite set out in his 1911 book.

Iconography on the Rider-Waite card

The Rider-Waite-Smith artwork was first printed in 1909, drawn by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of A. E. Waite^[1]. This is a popular deck with great influence in the 20th century. On the 6 of Cups in this deck, Waite describes it briefly in The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911): "Children in an old garden, their cups filled with flowers." A close translation: Children in an old garden, their cups filled with flowers.

From that description, the main elements can be seen:

• Children: The image of children evokes childhood and innocence.
• An old garden: The old setting recalls the past and one's roots.
• Cups filled with flowers: Six cups holding flowers, symbolising memories and the beautiful things that are kept.

What is the core symbolic meaning?

Nostalgia and the past

In present-day Tarot reading, the 6 of Cups is often tied to sweet nostalgia, reconnecting with a memory or with someone from the past. The card does not point to the future but recalls experiences already gone by, especially childhood.

What does innocence and purity mean?

The image of children in Waite's description is a symbol of guilelessness, without calculation. In present-day reading, this card is understood as an invitation to reconnect with a pure state of mind, to find joy in simple things.

Giving and kindness

Waite only describes children in a garden with cups full of flowers, and does not state any act of giving. However, from the image and his divinatory meaning, an element of selfless giving can be seen. In present-day reading, the card suggests sincere giving and selflessness.

Roots and family

The old garden in Waite's description is a symbol of family, of home, and of values nurtured from an early age. In present-day reading, the 6 of Cups often appears when we need to reconnect with family, with loved ones, or when someone from the past returns.

What does the card mean upright?

Waite writes in The Pictorial Key to the Tarot (1911) about the divinatory meaning of the Six of Cups: "A card of the past and of memories, looking back, as, for example, on childhood; happiness, enjoyment, but coming rather from the past; things that have vanished. Another reading reverses this, giving new relations, new knowledge, new environment, and then the children are disporting in an unfamiliar precinct." A close translation: A card of the past and of memories, looking back, as for example on childhood; happiness, enjoyment, but coming rather from the past; things that have vanished. Another way of reading reverses this, bringing new relationships, new knowledge, a new environment, and then the children are playing in an unfamiliar place.

In present-day Tarot reading, when the card is upright it is usually understood as:

• Reunion: It may be a meeting with old friends, relatives not seen for a long time, or a relationship that is mended.
• Healing from the past: The card shows that it is time to face and heal wounds from childhood or from old relationships.
• Simple joy: A reminder to enjoy small things, to find joy again in childhood activities.
• Forgiveness: An encouragement to forgive yourself and others for things past, freeing yourself from the burden of the past.
• A surprise gift: In a material context, the card may signal a gift or an opportunity coming from someone you once knew.

What does the card mean reversed?

Waite writes about the reversed meaning of the Six of Cups: "The future, renewal, that which will come to pass presently." A close translation: The future, renewal, that which will soon come to pass.

In present-day Tarot reading, when the card is reversed it is usually understood as:

• Being stuck in the past: You are living forever with memories and cannot move forward. Nostalgia becomes a barrier to present growth.
• Idealising the past: You tend to look at the past through rose-tinted glasses, comparing the present with beautiful memories that have been embellished, leading to dissatisfaction with reality.
• Difficulty forgiving: Old wounds are still raw, so you cannot let go and heal.
• Emotional immaturity: You may be behaving childishly, lacking maturity in handling current relationships or responsibilities.
• Losing connection with your roots: Perhaps you are drifting away from family, from your origins, or from the important spiritual values that nurtured you.

How is it applied in a spread?

In a Tarot spread, the position of the 6 of Cups will clarify its meaning:

• Past position: Confirms that childhood experiences or old relationships are influencing the present situation.
• Present position: You are being reminded of a lesson from the past, or you are in a phase where you need to heal and reconnect with yourself.
• Future position: A reunion, an opportunity to relive beautiful moments, or a sincere offer will come.
• Challenge position: Your challenge is not to let the past dominate, to learn to treasure memories while still living fully in the present.

A suggestion for today

A suggestion from Nhật Nguyệt: At work, you can look back at old relationships to find opportunities for cooperation. In love, treasure memories but do not let them hold back the present. Financially, weigh decisions based on past experience. For health, take time to relax and connect with loved ones.

Quick reference table: Six of Cups upright and reversed

Overview article on the topic: Tarot Basics: The 78 Cards And The Meaning Of The Major/Minor Arcana