Symbolism:

Cups are used to symbolize the water element in the tarot. Sometimes it is helpful to think of the cup holding the water (the way that one would think of the sword as slicing through the air element)

This symbolism used in the Tarot:

The ace of cups (pictured here) would combine the numerological aspects of the number 1 with the elemental aspects of water to designate a new emotional situation, such as a new love.

The water element in itself is not a good element any more than it is a bad element. However, cups are generally looked upon in a positive regard in the tarot. Their appearance is very often thought of as a sign of love or affection. While you may come across several books and readers that will look upon the cups suit in a positive light I urge you to remember that nothing is all good or bad and that the cups suit is representative of the water element which is a symbol of emotion and intuition.

Note: In the tarot the suit of cups symbolizes the water element. The tarot combines the aspects of numerology with its four suits, which reflect the four elements, to foretell events in ones life. We do not have time to go into numerology in this site, so all examples given to explain the elements in the tarot will be done with the ace (or the number 1) card. In numerology the number 1 generally refers to new beginnings, originality, and independence.