By Katrina Rasbold
The Three of Cups in the Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot, illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith under the direction of Arthur Edward Waite, is a card that radiates joy, connection, and celebration. This Minor Arcana card, nestled in the suit of Cups (which governs emotion, intuition, relationships, and creativity), represents shared happiness, community, and emotional abundance. With its rich symbolism and evocative imagery, the Three of Cups is a card that often heralds the joy of coming together and the blessings of emotional fulfillment.
Visual Description
The Three of Cups depicts three women dancing in a circle, raising their cups in a toast. They are surrounded by a fruitful landscape: lush greenery, fallen fruit at their feet, and a clear sky. Their postures suggest harmony and mutual celebration, while their attire hints at festivity and unity without uniformity. Each figure is unique, yet part of the cohesive whole.
Symbolism in the Three of Cups
1. The Three Women
- The central image of three women joined in dance reflects themes of friendship, sisterhood, and emotional connection. Their uplifted cups suggest a shared success or celebration.
- They may represent the classical Three Graces from Greek mythology—goddesses of charm, beauty, and creativity—underscoring the card’s artistic and social joy.
- Their circle dance emphasizes unity, the cyclical nature of joy, and collaborative energy rather than solitary achievement.
2. The Raised Cups
- Cups in tarot symbolize the element of Water—emotion, intuition, love, and creativity. The upward movement of the cups indicates a moment of emotional high or a spiritual toast to success and connection.
- This gesture can be interpreted as a ritual of gratitude, acknowledging emotional milestones or communal achievement.
3. The Fruit and Vegetation
- Scattered fruit at their feet—often thought to be pumpkins or gourds—suggests harvest, abundance, and fertility.
- The presence of flowers and greenery implies a setting of natural richness and emotional nourishment, reinforcing that this is a card of plentitude and positive outcomes.
4. The Sky and Background
- The clear sky offers a backdrop of clarity and peace, untroubled by storms or uncertainty.
- The scene likely takes place outdoors in a field or grove, reinforcing the connection to nature, earthly pleasures, and seasonal cycles—particularly autumn or late summer, times of celebration and gratitude.
Numerology and the Number Three
The number 3 in tarot denotes creativity, growth, and expression. In the suit of Cups, this manifests as the emotional flowering that arises when individuals come together in harmony. It’s the first card in the Cups suit to move from the individual (Ace) and pair (Two) to a group dynamic, marking a progression into shared emotional experience.
Three also corresponds to manifestation—bringing joy or love from internal feeling into external celebration. It is a number of expansion and multiplicity, suggesting that happiness, like love, grows when shared.
Interpretation in Readings
Upright Meaning
When the Three of Cups appears upright, it typically signals:
- Celebration and Joy – Weddings, reunions, parties, or community events.
- Emotional Support Systems – Strong friendships or sisterhoods that offer encouragement and mutual upliftment.
- Creative Collaboration – Artistic projects or group ventures that flourish due to synergy and shared vision.
- Fertility and Abundance – In some contexts, the card suggests literal or metaphorical fruitfulness.
It reminds us to honor community, enjoy the moment, and celebrate successes together—even small ones.
Reversed Meaning
When reversed, the Three of Cups can carry more nuanced or cautionary messages:
- Overindulgence – Too much celebration or escapism, possibly through substances or distractions.
- Gossip or Disharmony – Cliques, rumors, or feelings of exclusion among friends or peers.
- Emotional Distance – Disconnection within a previously supportive circle.
- Creative Blocks in Groups – Tension in teamwork or artistic collaboration.
In these cases, the card invites a rebalancing of social dynamics or a return to emotional authenticity and healthy boundaries.
Advice and Practical Use
When the Three of Cups appears in a reading, it often advises:
- Reconnect with your tribe – Seek out or spend time with those who uplift your spirit.
- Celebrate your wins – Even modest achievements deserve acknowledgment and gratitude.
- Nurture creative projects through collaboration – Let shared joy inspire innovation.
- Lean into joy without guilt – Happiness is sacred and nourishing.
If reversed, it may suggest examining whether social engagements are truly fulfilling or merely performative. It can also prompt introspection about whether you are supporting others—or receiving the support—you need.
The Joys of Shared Celebration
Pamela Colman Smith’s Three of Cups is a radiant celebration of emotional kinship, joy, and creative communion. Through rich symbolism—three dancing women, raised cups, abundant fruit—this card reminds us that happiness multiplies when shared. It is an emblem of gratitude, a nod to life’s moments of connection and harmony, and an encouragement to embrace the beauty of coming together with open hearts.
Whether in celebration, creativity, or spiritual connection, the Three of Cups calls us to raise our emotional chalice and toast to the beauty of being human—together.
Want to join the conversation about this blog post? Go to the Green Egg Forum and scroll for the forum post that relates to this article: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1069823176940972
Katrina Rasbold is a professional Witch, published author, priestess, and editor of Green Egg Magazine. She and her husband, Eric, are the creators of the CUSP spiritual path and owners of Crossroads Occult. You can reach her through www.katrinarasbold.com.