Five of Cups Keywords
Tarot Card | 5 of Cups Meaning |
 Element | Water |
 Suit | Cups |
 Zodiac | Scorpio |
Upright Keywords | Grief, regret, emotional setbacks, heartbreak |
Reversed Keywords | Healing, acceptance, moving on, renewed perspective |
Five of Cups Tarot Card Description
In the Rider-Waite imagery, a cloaked figure stands alone, their head bowed as they mourn three spilled cups before them. Behind their back, two cups remain standing quietly, unnoticed, and full of potential. A river flows through the background, with a bridge leading to a small home in the distance. It's subtle, but everything in this scene whispers that healing is possible... if only the figure would turn around.
This card captures a deeply human moment—the kind where regret clouds your view, and it's hard to see beyond what's been lost. The spilled cups symbolize emotional pain, grief, or disappointment. But the two upright cups and the distant bridge hint at a softer truth: not everything is gone. Something good still remains.
The Five of Cups generally signifies emotional loss, regret, or disappointment, but also the overlooked possibilities still standing behind us, quietly waiting to be seen and reclaimed.
Upright 5 of Cups Meaning
When upright, the Five of Cups tarot card meaning speaks to raw disappointment and emotional overwhelm. Particularly, when something you hoped for didn't work out, and all you can see is what's missing. Whether it's the end of a relationship, a personal mistake, or a lost opportunity, this card reflects a heavy emotional space where regret and sadness linger. You might find yourself dwelling on what went wrong, feeling disconnected from the present, and unsure how to move forward.
Still, this card isn't just about loss. It's also about what remains. Behind the figure in the card, two cups are still standing—offering quiet support, fresh chances, or love that hasn't left. But when grief takes center stage, it's easy to miss the gifts still within reach.
There's no rush to heal. But this card gently encourages you to shift your focus, little by little, back toward hope.
Feeling stuck in what could’ve been?
Let the tarot cards remind you what still is.

Upright Five of Cups Love Meaning
In love readings, the upright Five of Cups often shows heartbreak, missed connections, or regrets from past relationships. Whether you're single or partnered, refusing to look up can keep you anchored in sorrow. Yet even here, the two unseen cups whisper that a spark—whether reconciliation or fresh affection—still exists.
Love isn't always gone just because it's hurting. There may still be potential in your relationship, or someone waiting just out of your emotional sight. A little emotional curiosity can go a long way in uncovering what lies beneath the grief.
Upright Five of Cups Tarot Career Meaning
At work, this card points to disappointment—maybe a project failed, an opportunity slipped away, or your efforts weren't recognized. You might be replaying those regrets, thinking about what could've been. But remember the cups behind the figure—they symbolize new professional possibilities or untapped support networks.
Even a small shift—like asking for feedback or suggesting a creative idea—can help lift the fog. It's a good time to lean into forward-looking questions: What did I learn? Where am I still standing?
Upright Five of Cups Meaning in Finances
Financially, the Five of Cups upright often reflects regret—perhaps an investment went wrong, bills piled up, or a budget slipped. You might be regretting your decisions more than learning from them. But like the card's imagery, there's always another side to the emotional narrative.
Regret can be a teacher, if you let it. Shift your focus from what you lost to what you can still work with. Emotionally, it's okay to grieve financial mistakes—but it's equally important to start charting a new course.
Upright Five of Cups as Feelings
When someone feels the Five of Cups energy toward you, they're likely caught in emotional pain. It doesn't mean they don't care—quite the opposite. The feelings are there, but grief, guilt, or regret may be casting a shadow over their heart. They could be replaying past mistakes or mourning something that didn't unfold the way they hoped.
Emotionally, they're not fully present. Their heart may be turned inward, nursing a quiet sorrow that makes connection feel hard. If you're sensing distance, it's probably not about you—it's about what they're still trying to make peace with.
This is the kind of emotional state where someone needs space, not solutions. A little patience and compassion can go a long way.
Upright Five of Cups as Actions
When portrayed as action, this card often signals withdrawal—maybe you're journaling, moving through tears, or simply needing quiet to process. Steps toward healing in this moment aren't loud or public—they're internal. It's okay to say no to social plans or emotional demands if you're not ready. Your strength is in the pause, not the performance.
Read Other Suit of Cups Cards
Five of Cups Reversed Meaning
Flipped upside down, the reversed Five of Cups signals that emotional healing has begun. Slowly, the grip of regret is loosening. You might not be "over it," but you're beginning to lift your head and notice what's still standing. Maybe it's a friend who never left, a new chance you didn't expect, or simply the strength you didn't know you had.
This card doesn't erase the past—it honors it, while gently nudging you back toward life. It's a quiet reminder that healing isn't dramatic or loud. Sometimes it's just one soft decision at a time: to show up, to feel again, to believe that things can be different.
You're not moving on—you're moving forward. And that's more than enough.
Time to welcome new possibilities?
See if the reversed 5 of Cups brings emotional recovery.

5 of Cups Reversed Love Meaning
In love, the Five of Cups reversed brings quiet emotional renewal. If you've been grieving a past relationship, this card suggests you're beginning to open your heart again—slowly, gently. It may mean forgiving someone, or finally forgiving yourself. For couples, it's a sign that healing conversations are possible.
For singles, it reflects readiness to love again, even if it's just a flicker of hope.
Is love gently returning to your life? Explore what emotional shifts are unfolding in your heart. Try a Love Tarot Reading for clarity and connection.
5 of Cups Reversed Career Meaning
In career readings, the reversed Five of Cups suggests you're recovering from a setback and gaining new perspective. Maybe a rejection helped realign you with something better, or a past failure now fuels a more authentic ambition. This card reflects your inner resilience—what once weighed you down now teaches you how to move with purpose.
5 of Cups Reversed in Finances
Viewed through finances, reversal reflects financial regeneration. Whether you're rebuilding savings or changing spending habits, you're viewing money with fresh eyes. Losses teach, and this card signals you're ready to rebuild stronger.
Reversed Five of Cups as Feelings
When someone feels the reversed Five of Cups, it means they're thawing emotionally. What once felt distant or blocked is now softening—maybe they're starting to let you in again, or realizing there's still something worth holding onto. This feeling is hopeful but cautious. Vulnerability is returning, one breath at a time.
Reversed Five of Cups as Actions
As actions, now's the time for gentle outreach. No matter what, that's reconnecting with a friend, apologizing, or finally stepping forward. It's not pushy—it's soft bravery. If you've been thinking about reconnecting or starting fresh, this card says, "try". A little effort could shift everything.
Read Other Suit of Cups Cards
Is Five of Cups a Yes or No Card?
The Five of Cups tarot card meaning is rarely a direct "yes" or "no." It speaks more to emotional timing than definitive outcomes.
When the Five of Cups tarot card appears upright in a yes or no reading, it usually leans toward a soft no. This isn't a hard stop—but rather a nudge to pause. There may be emotional wounds, regret, or unprocessed grief still lingering, clouding your ability to move forward with clarity. The situation might not be aligned just yet.
Still, this card holds a quiet message: not all is lost. Those two upright cups in the background suggest that while now may not be the moment, there is healing and potential ahead—if you're willing to shift your focus.
In reverse, the 5 of Cups tarot meaning turns more optimistic. Emotional heaviness begins to lift. You're no longer defined by past pain—you're ready to grow from it. The reversed card often points to acceptance, forgiveness, and a willingness to engage again. In a yes or no context, this is your subtle green light.
If you've been waiting for a sign that it's okay to move on, to say yes to something new, or to reopen your heart—this is it.
Need clarity on your next step? Your answer may already be within you. Get Yes/No Tarot Reading to let the cards bring it to the surface.
FAQs
What does the 5 of Cups mean in tarot?
The upright meaning of Five of Cups tarot card reflects loss, disappointment, or emotional heaviness. When reversed, it speaks to healing, forgiveness, and hope returning. This card encourages you to honor your pain but also recognize what's still left to build upon.
What is the advice of the Five of Cups?
The card's advice is simple yet profound: feel your grief, but don't let it define you. The 5 of Cups reminds you to shift your focus from what's lost to what remains—and begin again from there.
What does the Five of Cups teach me?
This card teaches emotional resilience. It shows that while sorrow is inevitable, it's not the end. The Five of Cups meaning includes learning how to stand back up, value what remains, and move forward with greater awareness.
What is the warning of the 5 of Cups?
The Five of Cups warns against dwelling too long in grief or regret. Emotional stagnation may keep you blind to present support or new chances. Healing begins when you stop staring at the spilled cups and notice the ones still full.
What does the 5 of Cups mean in the future?
As a future card, the 5 of Cups tarot may signal emotional difficulty or disappointment ahead—but also the chance to heal, grow, and reconnect. The pain may be real, but so is the opportunity for transformation.