The Five of Cups tarot card denotes feelings of misery, loss, or grief. In a reading, these emotions may relate to the loss of something important, such as the death of a loved one or the end of a special relationship.

The overall mood of the card is negative, but there are indications of hope, as well. It may seem that all is lost, while the card invites you to notice what remains.

Five of Cups Key Facts#

Before diving deeper into the upright- and reversed Five of Cups tarot card meaning, and its connection to love, career, and life, below you can find a quick overview of the most important facts connected to this Cups card.

Upright

Sadness, loss, despair, loneliness

Reversed

Finding peace, acceptance, healing

Yes or No

No

Number

5

Element

Water

Planet

Pluto and Mars

Astrological sign

Scorpio

Five of Cups Tarot Card Description#

To fully understand the Five of Cups tarot card meaning, we will first take a look at the illustration, colors, and symbolism of this Cups card.

Five of Cups tarot card, Spark Bloom Edition
Five of Cups tarot card, Rider–Waite–Smith deck
Five of Cups tarot card, upright

The Five of Cups tarot card depicts a man clothed in a black cloak facing away. His head hangs in despair as he looks down at three overturned cups at his feet.

Because this man is so focused on the fallen cups, he fails to see the upright cups behind him: representing new opportunities and potential. All he needs to do is turn around to see them.

In the background, we see a bridge crossing a large river to a castle or home. The river denotes that the sadness or despair that he feels is keeping him from his home, where he will feel safe and at rest. While the bridge is a message to ‘build a bridge’ and leave the past behind and make the best of what remains.

Five of Cups Tarot Meaning#

The Five of Cups upright can symbolize focusing on loss or difficulty seeing what remains. This may resonate after a bereavement, job loss, or another difficult change.

When we lose someone or something we love, it can be challenging to see the positive. We allow ourselves to be overcome by the sadness, regret, and loneliness that results from an event such as this.

Looking around may reveal sources of support or other positive things that remain. Family or friends may be able to offer care, for example.

This goes to show that even in the darkest times, there is always a shining beacon of hope. All you must do is open your eyes and look around for it.

The main advice of the Five of Cups is to let go of the past and move on. Grief, sadness, and negativity will only hold you back from your fullest potential.

Don’t be a victim of life’s circumstances, instead, try to take a look at the bright side!

Money and Career Meaning#

The Five of Cups in a career reading can reflect fear or grief around a job loss. This event might leave you feeling discouraged, disappointed, and unproductive.

You must remember that a door closed means another opens in another area of your life. If you spend too much time dwelling on the negativity of the situation, you won’t have the energy to seek out a new opportunity.

Even though it is tough to be unemployed, even for a short amount of time, you must focus on the positive.

A future opportunity may be worth looking for, but the card cannot promise one or say that it will be better than the job you lost.

Love and Relationships Meaning#

In a love spread, the Five of Cups can symbolize heartbreak or fear of loss. If a partnership ends, the change may feel surprising and leave you feeling abandoned or alone.

If the relationship is over, you may still think about this person and wish for the relationship to begin again.

When you notice this pattern, consider what the relationship taught you and whether moving on would serve you better.

If you are single, the Five of Cups calls attention to despair you feel stemming from a past relationship that didn’t work out.

You may still feel attached to this person or reluctant to begin a new relationship. Notice that possibility without blaming yourself.

A past relationship does not define what future relationships must be like. Give yourself room to process it and decide what moving on means for you.

Health and Spirituality Meaning#

In a health context, the Five of Cups is traditionally associated with grief, sadness, and emotional strain. A card cannot identify depression or anxiety.

When you are feeling overwhelmed, you aren’t best equipped to come up with a solution to your problems. Now is the time to reach out for professional help so that you can be delivered from the negativity that binds you.

Five of Cups Reversed#

In this paragraph, we will talk a bit more about what it means if you’ve pulled the Five of Cups tarot card in the reversed position (upside down).

Five of Cups tarot card, Spark Bloom Edition, reversed
Five of Cups tarot card, Rider–Waite–Smith deck, reversed
Five of Cups tarot card, reversed

The Five of Cups reversed stands for overcoming the obstacles that face you. If you have lost a loved one, this reading can invite reflection on the gradual process of accepting the loss.

If the end of a romance caused despair, consider what closure would mean to you and what support might help. It has been a long journey to where you stand now, and you should be proud of your accomplishments.

Continuing to notice positive things may help you find moments of relief while you work through what happened.

If there is still a feeling of shame or guilt about something that happened in the past, the Five of Cups reversed tells you that it’s time to forgive yourself and move on.

You did everything you could, took responsibility, and learned your lessons. And since you can’t change the past, it’s now time to focus on the present and future.

Once you're able to do so, you may be more open to new opportunities. Weigh any risks on their practical merits rather than assuming how they will unfold.

Five of Cups: Yes or No#

The Five of Cups embodies grief, sadness, and feeling at your absolute lowest. If those feelings relate to a traumatic event, the card cannot determine its meaning or impact. The overall negative connotation of this card means that the answer to your yes or no question is no.

Five of Cups and Astrology#

The Five of Cups is connected to the Scorpio zodiac sign. Scorpio is all about delving into the deep, hidden layers to unearth secrets and mysteries. This is also the sign of loss, release, symbolic death, and rebirth as initiation. The ruling planets of Pluto and Mars also affirm this. Both are highly powerful, energized, and focused planets.

Important Card Combinations#

In combination with other cards, the Five of Cups still denotes feelings of misery, loss, or grief. But it also tells you that if you’re able to leave the past behind and focus on positive things. Below you can find the most important card combinations of the Five of Cups.

Five of Cups and Ace of Cups#

The Five of Cups and the Ace of Cups in a spread together tells of the end of a fling.

If a relationship is ending, this combination can invite you to consider what was unsatisfying rather than assume the ending was destined or necessary.

Concentrate on pouring love into yourself and finding yourself at this time in your life. Consider what a fulfilling relationship would look like when you are ready.

Five of Cups and Seven of Cups#

Are you regretting a decision that you made recently? The Five of Cups and the Seven of Cups are representative of that decision.

Perhaps you have resolved to change careers, but you have found the job market to be unenticing. Push forward and keep looking for the right fit for you.

It may take some time, but it’s essential not to settle. Otherwise, you risk ending up in the same situation later down the line.

Five of Cups and Eight of Cups#

The Five of Cups and Eight of Cups are telling you that it’s time to face your sorrows. If you have lost someone close to you, it can be difficult to allow yourself to feel the sadness inside.

Still, you must grant yourself the time to feel these emotions. Grief changes at its own pace; allowing space for it and seeking support can help.

Five of Cups and Knight of Cups#

If the Five of Cups and the Knight of Cups appear together, consider whether a relationship is still healthy for you rather than treating the cards as a command to leave.

If a friendship feels one-sided or a family relationship causes stress, look at the actual behavior and your boundaries. Think through how what you do now may affect your future.

Five of Cups in a Reading#

That’s all for the Five of Cups tarot card meaning. Although it’s not all puppies and rainbows, remember that there’re indications of faith.

And even if all seems lost, there is always a shining beacon of hope. All you must do is open your eyes and look around for it.

If the Five of Cups appeared in your tarot reading, did the meaning make sense to you? Write down your comments and questions below. I would love to hear from you!

Frequently asked questions about Five of Cups

What does Five of Cups mean in Tarot?

Upright, the Five of Cups represents grief, regret and attention fixed on what has been lost. It does not mean that a death, job loss or other trauma has occurred; if grief is real, let the card be a reflection prompt rather than an explanation.

What does Five of Cups mean reversed?

Reversed, the Five of Cups can reflect the work of turning toward what remains after loss. It does not promise that acceptance will arrive soon, and grief does not follow a timetable set by a card.

Is Five of Cups a yes or no card?

In ASOJ's yes-or-no convention, the Five of Cups leans no because grief or disappointment may be narrowing the view. The card does not establish that a traumatic event caused your feelings.

Have a question about Five of Cups?

Keep reading