← Encyclopedia of Tarot · lesson 48/121
Knight of Cups
The Knight of Cups is the suit of Cups in motion: feeling that sets out toward someone or something. It can describe a person who is romantic, gracious, artistic and led by ideals, or a situation in which an invitation, a proposal or an offer arrives. Of all the Knights, he moves the most slowly — he is carried by the heart rather than by urgency.
The image
A knight in armour rides a white horse at a calm walk, holding out a cup as if bearing a gift. His helmet and heels carry wings, and a river flows through the landscape before him. Waite describes him as "graceful, but not warlike", and links the wings to "the higher graces of the imagination". The offered cup is usually taken as an emotional gesture; the river as the feeling he is about to cross into.
Upright
Invitation, romance and idealism. Waite's list reads "arrival, approach — sometimes that of a messenger; advances, proposition... invitation". The card can point to a declaration of feeling, an artistic project, a peace offering, or simply someone arriving with good intentions.
Reversed
Waite's reversed meanings are "trickery, artifice, subtlety, swindling, duplicity, fraud". Modern readers more often read moodiness, promises that are not kept, charm without substance, or a dreamer who will not commit. Some readers do not use reversals.
Correspondences
A court card of the suit of Cups, element water. In the Golden Dawn system, which most English-language decks follow, the RWS Knight corresponds to the King — the Lord of the Waves and the Waters — and his elemental pairing is Fire of Water: the swift, active force of feeling.
In a reading
As a person, he can describe a suitor, a creative friend or someone bringing an offer. In the advice position, he suggests following one's heart with courtesy. As an outcome, he is often read as an invitation on its way. Beside the Two of Cups he strongly suggests a romantic approach.
In astrology
The Golden Dawn's correspondences, which most English-language decks follow (French, Marseille-based tradition differs for some Major Arcana).
Element: Water — the element of Cancer, Scorpio and Pisces