The 3 of Cups is often viewed as one of the most positive and upbeat cards in the tarot deck. It signifies celebration, friendship, creativity, and collaboration. When the 3 of Cups appears in a tarot reading, it’s a sign that you should embrace the power of community, open yourself up to meeting new people, and collaborate on creative projects.
This in-depth guide will explore all the meanings, both upright and reversed, of the 3 of Cups. You’ll discover how this minor arcana card relates to love, relationships, career, finances, health, spirituality, and more. Plus learn how to interpret the 3 of Cups in tarot spreads and combinations.
By the end of this guide, you’ll have a complete understanding of the meaning of 3 of Cups tarot card so you can interpret it with confidence in your own readings.
3 of Cups Key Facts
| Upright Meaning | Celebration, friendship, creativity, collaboration |
| – | – |
| Reversed Meaning | Disconnection, cliques, third party interference |
| Yes or No | Yes |
| Numerology | 3 |
| Astrological Sign | Cancer |
| Planet | Moon |
| Element | Water |
3 of Cups Tarot Card Description
The Rider-Waite Smith 3 of Cups card depicts three young maidens dancing in a circle with their golden chalices raised in the air. Their arms are intertwined as they connect in dance under the blue sky. Behind them are grapevines heavy with fruit, symbolizing fertility and abundance.
The women are dressed in flowing gowns – one red, one white, and one blue. Their chalices touch together as an expression of harmony, friendship, and community. The colors of their dresses represent the three social classes coming together.
In the background is a house and a river, implying stability and emotional fulfillment. The oak wreaths on their heads symbolize victory and success.
The Upright 3 of Cups Tarot Card Meaning
Love Relationships
The 3 of Cups is one of the best cards for love and relationships. It signifies joy, celebration, friendship, and community – all important ingredients for healthy relationships.
If you’re single, the 3 of Cups foretells a new relationship is on the horizon. Expect to meet someone at a social gathering where you’ll immediately hit it off. This card encourages you to get out and mingle!
For those already in relationships, the 3 of Cups indicates a wonderful period of fun, friendship, and deepening bonds in your partnership. Make time for romance and strengthen your commitment. Attend celebrations and parties together.
Career
In career tarot spreads, the 3 of Cups often relates to creative collaborations and teamwork. Your talents and ideas will mesh well with others right now. Brainstorming sessions will be highly productive.
If you’ve been considering a new career involving the arts, design, or entertainment, this card gives you the green light to pursue your dreams. The 3 of Cups says your creative gifts need an outlet. Find one that excites you.
This card can also indicate promotions, raises, and accomplishments if you’ve been working hard on the job. Your efforts will soon be noticed and rewarded.
Finances
Financially, the 3 of Cups is a positive omen of increasing income and financial gain. New lucrative opportunities are on the horizon. You may receive a windfall from an inheritance, bonus, or other unexpected source.
If you’ve been considering an investment or joint business venture with others, this card gives the go ahead. Just be sure to have everything in writing should the enterprise not work out.
Health
For health questions, the upright 3 of Cups is an excellent omen. It indicates vitality, energy, and high spirits. Any illnesses or injuries should pass quickly.
This card encourages you to join group fitness activities or dance classes. Partner up to inspire each other toward better health and wellness. The social bonds will energize you.
Spirituality
In spiritual readings, the 3 of Cups reflects festivity and community. Now is the time to connect with like-minded others, attend spiritual workshops, festivals, or retreats. Find the joy in your spiritual practice.
This card also reminds you that spirituality isn’t meant to be a solo journey. Don’t try to do or understand everything alone. Spiritual growth happens faster when shared.
The Reversed 3 of Cups Tarot Card Meaning
While the upright 3 of Cups is incredibly favorable, the reversed 3 of Cups warns of some difficulties ahead – especially relating to relationships and collaborations.
Love Relationships
When the reversed 3 of Cups appears in a love reading, it can indicate jealousy, possessiveness, and trust issues. Their may be suspicions of third party interference in the relationship leading to feelings of insecurity.
If committed, don’t allow petty squabbles to rip apart the bond you’ve built. Communicate openly and honestly with your partner. Don’t let jealousy take root.
If single, this card cautions against getting involved in love triangle scenarios. Flirtations may be tempting, but someone will likely end up hurt. Avoid messy affairs of the heart.
Career
For work matters, the reversed 3 of Cups can point to conflicts between colleagues, gossip at the water cooler, or lack of team cohesion. Group brainstorming sessions may be unproductive right now.
Rather than try to force collaboration, consider working solo on projects for the time being. Diplomacy will be needed to smooth over any workplace tensions.
Finances
Financially, this card indicates risky investments, get-rich-quick schemes, and overspending when trying to impress others. Be very cautious in financial matters. Read the fine print and avoid large purchases until you’ve done thorough research.
Health
The reversed 3 of Cups can signify over-indulging in food, alcohol, sex, partying, or other excesses. Your social life may be too hectic which is impacting your self-care routines.
Make sure you balance fun times with friends with adequate rest. Don’t neglect your health out of a desire to keep up with your social circle. Set some limits.
Spirituality
In spiritual readings, the reversed 3 of Cups points to isolation and disconnection from spiritual community. Are you trying to force your own interpretations onto others? Or have you withdrawn from fellowship out of frustration and disillusionment?
This card reminds you that a diversity of beliefs within spiritual community can be enriching. Avoid social cliques. Find common ground through mutual respect.
3 of Cups Tarot Card in Yes or No Questions
The 3 of Cups tarot card means yes in response to most yes or no questions. It signifies happiness, friendship, fruitfulness, and positive collaborations.
The only time it means no is if the question relates specifically to solitude or focusing on individual goals over group activities. The 3 of Cups is all about camaraderie.
So in most cases, seeing this exuberant card in a yes or no tarot reading is an auspicious omen!
3 of Cups Tarot Card and Numerology
In numerology, the number 3 resonates with creativity, self-expression, laughter, and optimism – all in keeping with the upbeat 3 of Cups. Threes also relate to the Trinity symbolism of mind-body-spirit.
As the third card in the suit of cups, the 3 of Cups combines the suit’s emotional energy with the vibrancy of the number 3. This enhances the meanings of friendship, fertility, artistic expression, and community associated with this card.
3 of Cups Tarot Card and Astrology
The 3 of cups tarot card is associated with the water sign of Cancer. Cancer is ruled by the Moon, planet of emotions, intuition, and the unconscious realms.
Cancer energy aligns beautifully with the 3 of cups symbolism. Cancer is nurturing, sensitive, family-oriented, and nostalgic. When reversed, it can tend toward moodiness, jealousy, and holding grudges – just like the reversed 3 of cups.
The 3 of cups complements Cancer’s energy perfectly by bringing in themes of creativity, happiness, and community. It balances the introverted nature of Cancer with outgoing, celebratory energy.
3 of Cups Tarot Card Combinations
3 of Cups + The Lovers: A relationship blessing, soulmate connection. Deep friendship underpins the romance.
3 of Cups + The Empress: Fertility, pregnancy, joyful celebrations of new life and abundance.
3 of Cups + The Star: Renewed hope, faith, and optimism. Healing old wounds through spiritual friendships.
3 of Cups + Ace of Cups: New love, start of a spiritual community, purified emotions.
3 of Cups + 10 of Cups: Family celebration, achievements bringing you closer together.
3 of Cups + The Sun: Vitality, confidence, success in creative collaborations.
3 of Cups + 4 of Wands: Celebration of relationships, marriages, friendships.
3 of Cups + 3 of Pentacles: Successful teamwork on creative projects.
3 of Cups + Queen of Cups: Wise, nurturing friendships. Gentle advice from trusted women.
3 of Cups + King of Wands: Charismatic leader inspires creativity in others.
3 of Cups + 5 of Swords: Hidden agendas disrupt friendships, uneasy alliances.
3 of Cups + The Devil: Hedonism, excessive drinking, temptations.
3 of Cups + 7 of Swords: Secrets, dishonesty exposed. Disloyalty.
3 of Cups + 4 of Cups: Boredom in relationships, resisting social invitations.
3 of Cups + Queen of Swords: Intelligent female friends. Mental stimulation.
3 of Cups Tarot Card Designs
The 3 of Cups has been illustrated in a variety of artistic styles across different tarot decks. Some notable designs include:
- The Radiant Rider-Waite Smith deck shows three women in profile holding up their cups together in joy. Vines and wheat surround them against a bright yellow sky.
- The Modern Witch Tarot depicts three witches celebrating under the full moon. A black cat weaves around their feet while they hold up glistening gold chalices.
- The Shadowscapes Tarot features three muses – one playing a harp, one dancing, and one singing. Their music mixes together, just as their goblets come together.
- In the Emily Carding Dark Angels Tarot, fallen angels with tattered wings clink together their cups, adorned with images of butterflies, in a melancholy scene.
- The Mystic Dreamer Tarot shows three mermaids floating together underwater, their cups sending bubbly trails of joy as they toast together.
FAQs
What does the 3 of Cups mean reversed?
Reversed, the 3 of Cups can indicate jealousy, gossip, third party interference, cliques, over-indulgence, or creative blocks.
What does 3 of Cups mean in love?
For love, the 3 of Cups indicates friendship, joy, and celebration in relationships. If single, it can forecast a new relationship blossoming, often through a social gathering or group activity.
What does 3 of Cups mean in a breakup?
In a breakup reading, the 3 of Cups reminds you that friends and community can help ease the pain and loneliness. Spend time with others who care about you.
Is the 3 of Cups a yes or no card?
The 3 of Cups generally means yes in tarot. It has very positive connotations of friendship, fertility, creativity, and community.
What planet is the 3 of Cups?
The 3 of Cups is associated with the Moon, which rules the zodiac sign Cancer. The Moon represents emotions, intuition, and the inner self.
Key Takeaways
- The 3 of Cups represents celebration, creativity, friendship, and community. It encourages happy collaborations when upright.
- Reversed, the card can indicate jealousy, gossip, overindulgence, and conflicts rather than cohesion.
- For love, this card forecasts relationships blossoming through shared joy and social connections. Already committed couples will deepen their bond.
- Numerology and astrology connections enhance the 3 of Cups themes of self-expression, imagination, intuition, and collaboration.
- In tarot card combinations, the 3 of Cups brings a spirit of joy, camaraderie, and harmony to the other cards.
Conclusion
The 3 of Cups is one of the most uplifting cards in the deck, promising friendship, creativity, and community when it appears in a reading. Allow this exuberant card to help you embrace collaborative projects and enriching relationships.
If reversed, watch for over-doing the partying or conflicts arising in relationships and teams. Focus on communicating openly and finding common ground.
Use the upbeat energy of the 3 of Cups to inspire you toward new creative heights, spiritual connections, and fulfilling celebrations.
