Queen of Cups: thoughts?

Elnor

The chalice that the Queen holds is very similar to a monstrance; which were vessels used to display the consecrated host- often cathedrals would have a side chapel where it would be on the altar.


http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j284/jaenor363/ReliquaryMonstrance.jpg

http://i83.photobucket.com/albums/j284/jaenor363/MonstrancewithAngels.jpg

they often had angels on either side, with wings extended like the one in the card.

Now the thing I think interesting, (and surely Pamela Coleman Smith would have know this) is that only priests or bishops could touch the monstrance- and even then with their hands covered with a veil.
Therefore, a woman certainly could not be allowed to carry one; especially in her bare hands- not even a Queen!

I'm not sure what meaning this might have within the card- but it would be considered a holier vessel than the chalice... if cups represent the emotions, could it be that the Queen has contained, understood, and connected with her emotions on a more spiritual plane??

Just my musings- would be interested to know what anyone else thinks.

Elnor
 

Teheuti

cdabs said:
Hi! I just ran across this thread as I was trying to figure out what the little "fish-like" looking thing was on the bottom-right of the RWS Queen Of Cups card. I saw where "SeaPrism" had said (back in 2004):

"I see the little squiggly thing in the sand on the lower right corner of the card might be a fish, a dead one?! "

I, too, thought that (it was a fish), though it was tough to make out completely as a fish.
Looking at the Giant Rider-Waite it appears to be a fish dancing on it's tail. Thanks for bringing it to my attention.

How about the 3 visible sides of the cup - there's a lion with it's tail curved above its back on the right panel, possibly a dove like on the Ace on the central panel, but the left panel is too vague.

Mary
 

rcb30872

Phoenix_Down said:
-The clasp of her cloak... is it a rose?
Looks like a clam to me.