The dove with a drop
A sign of peace and grace. The feeling comes as a gift; it can’t be earned.
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Minor Arcana · Cups · Ace
Ace of Cups Tarot Card Meaning
The Ace of Cups is the beginning of a feeling. A dove hovers over a cup, and water spills over its rim. The card is about new love, an open heart, reconciliation and emotional renewal.
Upright
- new love
- an open heart
- compassion
- joy
- healing
Reversed
- being closed off
- suppressed feelings
- disappointment
- emptiness
- unrequited feelings
Yes or no
Yes
A warm “yes,” especially in matters of love, friendship and reconciliation.
Ask the cards your own question →- Number
- Ace
- Element
- Water
Card symbolism in our deck
In Heinrich Pangrau’s deck, the Ace of Cups is a large cup in the middle of a pond with lilies. A dove descends from above, letting a drop fall into the cup, and the water spills over the rim and flows on as a river.
Water spilling over the rim
There is more love than one heart can hold: it wants to be shared.
The river flowing from the cup
The overflowing cup nourishes everything around it: the feeling changes other people too.
Water lilies
Purity and calm: emotions here don’t rage, they blossom.
Ace of Cups meaning
The Ace of Cups upright brings a new feeling: falling in love, friendship, tenderness, the birth of a child or simply a sudden burst of joy.
The card also speaks of healing: after a hard period, the heart is able to open again.
Ace of Cups reversed
The Ace reversed means feelings that can’t find an outlet: a person has closed off, is afraid to love again, or gives more than they receive.
Sometimes it’s emotional emptiness: the cup has spilled out, and there is nothing to refill it with yet.
Ace of Cups in love, work, money and health
Love and relationships
Upright New love, a confession of feelings, a proposal, making up after a fight. For a couple, tenderness gets a second wind.
Reversed Unrequited feelings, fear of opening up, coldness.
Feelings Sincere tenderness and affection. This person has warm, open feelings for you.
Work and career
Upright Work that brings joy, a creative project, helping people, a close-knit team.
Reversed Emotional burnout, work with no heart in it.
Money
Upright Money comes through work you love or as a gift.
Reversed Spending to fill an inner emptiness.
Health
Upright Emotional recovery, a good time to take care of yourself. Tarot is not a substitute for a doctor.
Reversed Suppressed emotions affect your well-being.
Ace of Cups as a person
As a person: open, kind, sensitive. Someone who knows how to love and accept.
The card’s advice
Upright Open up to your feelings and let yourself accept care.
Reversed Fill your own cup first: take care of yourself.
Card of the Day
Draw your card of the day
Ace of Cups as the card of the day
As the card of the day: a day of warmth. Tell the people close to you that you love them.
Combinations with other cards
- Ace of Cups + The LoversMutual love.
- Ace of Cups + Two of CupsThe start of a romance.
- Ace of Cups + The EmpressPregnancy or the birth of a child.
- Ace of Cups + Ten of CupsFamily happiness.
- Ace of Cups + Three of SwordsHealing after a broken heart.
- Ace of Cups + Ace of WandsFeeling and passion at the same time.
Frequently asked questions about Ace of Cups
Is the Ace of Cups a yes or no card?
Yes, especially in love and friendship.
What does the Ace of Cups mean in relationships?
New love, a confession of feelings or reconciliation.
What does the Ace of Cups reversed mean?
Being closed off, suppressed feelings, disappointment.
What does the Ace of Cups mean as the card of the day?
A day of warmth and sincerity.