Knights represent pure energy, focused, intense and active, protection, strength, ambition and questing.  Cups represent emotions, love, pleasures in life, matters pertaining to the unconscious, intuition and the inner planes; the element of water.  The Knight of Cups is often referred to as the Grail Knight, the knight in search of inner truth and emotional fulfillment.  It can also suggest that one is so focused on one emotional experience or relationship to such a degree that all others are blocked out.

"You are completely involved in an emotional sensation.  You're so involved in this feeling or relationship that everything else seems insignificant by comparison.  In fact, all other relationships and emotions may be blocked by this one." - Gail Fairfield.

The Son of Water in the Experimental Tarot is a windsurfer - not only daring enough to ride the waves but obviously confident enough not to be worried.  The Knight of Cups from the Dame Fortune deck looks more like a poet knight - one who is as quick to compose a ballad to his lady fair as he is to ride into battle.  So what does this mean for me?  

Looking at both these cards I was struck by the sense that both figures are willing to be vulnerable.  The troubadour knight opens his heart to his lady fair and risks her disapproval or mockery of his feelings.  The Son of Water dares to take risks such as windsurfing, knowing there is a possibility that he will fall off his board and look silly to the lady watching him.  Despite these fears (which would be effective enough to keep me from trying anything) these knights charge ahead.  They explore uncharted territory and are willing to expose themselves to ridicule if necessary in order to fulfill their heart's quest.  That takes a lot of bravery.

It also gives me another perspective on Cups cards in general.  I have often dismissed them as touchy-feely and tend to avoid them.  Looking at this two cards I am struck by how brave one has to be to expose one's soft, vulnerable side to the world.  I tend to be very shielded because I'm afraid of being hurt.  Any vulnerability and softness I have is only shown to carefully selected people.  Even my family does not often see that side of me.  This card has made me reconsider this attitude and helped me realize that being emotionally open and honest requires a courage and inner strength that I have quite mastered yet.