Cup

A cup is read as a portion — an amount sized for one person. Cups hold water and are read under Water. Traditional reading asks whether it was full, offered, or refused.

It points to a function rather than an event. A cup is read as a portion — an amount sized for one person. Traditional readings ask what the object is for and whether it is working, rather than treating it as a sign. A cup with a crack that still holds is a recorded case, read as capacity reduced but not lost.

A cup offered and not taken is the classic variant, read as something available that was declined rather than withheld. It is grouped under Water (水) in the five-element system.