Cups represent your emotions; basically your love life and relationships with other people. Cups are related to the Water element so its actions are indirect but very powerful, and water always finds its way. Just like emotions.
In other words, Cups are associated with anything emotional, from marriage to personal possessions and concerns. This also covers anything relating to partnerships, whether in a work or personal context. The actions influenced by the Cups are very different compared to, let’s say, Swords direct-action approach.