Four of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning: Upright, Reversed, Love & Yes/No
Protecting what you have is wise, but make sure security is not turning into fear of change.
| Arcana | Minor Arcana, suit of Pentacles |
|---|---|
| Element | Earth |
| Number | 4 |
| Astrology | Sun in Capricorn |
| Golden Dawn title | Lord of Earthly Power |
| Yes or no | Maybe |
| Upright | security, saving, control, holding on |
| Reversed | overspending, letting go, greed or scarcity fears |
Four of Pentacles symbolism
A crowned figure sits on a stool holding a pentacle tightly against his chest. One pentacle rests on his crown and two are under his feet. A city stands behind him, but he faces away from it.
The descriptions on this site refer to the Rider-Waite-Smith deck (1909), illustrated by Pamela Colman Smith and designed with Arthur Edward Waite, which is the reference for most modern tarot. Other decks may show different imagery with a similar meaning.
Upright meaning
- security
- saving
- control
- holding on
The Four of Pentacles is security, saving and control. It shows holding on tightly to money, possessions or control out of fear of losing them.
The card can be positive when it means building savings and protecting what you have. It becomes a problem when fear of loss keeps you from living, sharing or growing.
Reversed meaning
- overspending
- letting go
- greed or scarcity fears
Reversed, the Four of Pentacles shows either letting go and becoming more generous, or overspending and losing control of finances.
Find a middle path between hoarding and spending.
New to reversals? Our guide to reading reversed tarot cards explains the different ways readers interpret an upside-down card.
Four of Pentacles in love and relationships
Upright in love
In love, it can show possessiveness or holding back emotionally out of fear.
Reversed in love
Reversed in love, it can show opening up and letting go of control.
Four of Pentacles as feelings
As feelings, the Four of Pentacles means someone is protective or possessive, or guarded about their feelings.
Career and work
At work, it favours protecting your position and resources, but warns against being too rigid.
Money and finances
With money, it favours saving and protecting assets. Do not let fear stop sensible investments.
Is Four of Pentacles a yes or no card?
Maybe
The Four of Pentacles is a maybe.
Want to ask your own question? Try our yes or no tarot, which uses the same yes, no and maybe values shown on this page.
Number, element and astrology
The Four of Pentacles belongs to the suit of Pentacles (also called Coins or Disks; Diamonds in playing-card terms), the earth suit that deals with money, work, the body, home and material security. In tarot numerology, 4 is the number of stability, structure and foundations. The Golden Dawn assigned this card to Sun in Capricorn and gave it the title Lord of Earthly Power.
Four stabilises, and stabilised earth becomes possession. The Sun in Capricorn, power in the sign of authority, gives the card its controlling quality. The Golden Dawn titled it Earthly Power: security that can protect or imprison.
Advice from Four of Pentacles
Protect what matters without clinging to it. Security is a base, not a cage.
Example reading
Illustrative example
Someone who has saved for years but never lets themselves spend on anything enjoyable draws the Four of Pentacles. The reading suggests a small budget for pleasure.
This example is written by our editors to show how the card is read in context. It is not a real client's reading. See our tarot spreads for how positions change a card's meaning.
Related cards
Dream symbols linked to this card
Hair, Teeth falling out. Our dream dictionary explains how the same symbolism appears in dreams.
Ask the cards about your situation
Draw three cards for your own question. Every card in your result links back to its meaning here.
Free tarot readingCard of the dayFrequently asked questions
What does Four of Pentacles mean in tarot?
Upright, Four of Pentacles means security, saving, control, holding on. The Four of Pentacles is security, saving and control.
What does Four of Pentacles reversed mean?
Reversed, the Four of Pentacles shows either letting go and becoming more generous, or overspending and losing control of finances.
What does Four of Pentacles mean in love?
In love, it can show possessiveness or holding back emotionally out of fear. Reversed in love, it can show opening up and letting go of control.
Is Four of Pentacles a yes or no card?
The Four of Pentacles is a maybe.
Is the Four of Pentacles about greed?
It can indicate greed or possessiveness, but also healthy saving and security.