Tarot Card Symbolism: The Four of Pentacles of the Minor Arcana

The Four of Pentacles of the Minor Arcana of the Tarot is the fourth card of the Suit of Pentacles. It follows the Three of Pentacles. It is the embodiment of hoarding and a resistance to sharing.

The Symbolism of the Four of Pentacles Tarot Card

This card is represented by a well-dressed man sitting upon a stone bench. Upon his head he wears a golden crown, though he is no king. Above this crown is a golden pentacle. He holds a second pentacle clasped tightly in his hands. The third and forth pentacles are beneath his feet. It is obvious he does not intend to share his treasures.

The background is a typical cityscape. However, the ground upon which he sits is barren of everything and anything. The sky is equally bleak.

The General Interpretation of the Four of Pentacles Card

When appearing in a spread, this card implies a great love of material wealth. The individual who draws this card is likely one who takes great pride in their possessions and accumulated wealth. While this isn’t necessarily a bad thing, it can be irritating to friends and family.

While the Four of Pentacles suggests a love of material wealth, it does not mean that the individual who draws this card actually possesses material wealth. Rather, it is a card relating more to the person than the situation. The person is a lover of wealth, and will pursue the prospect of acquiring this wealth with great determination.

The Inner Meaning of the Four of Pentacles in Tarot

The Four of Pentacles is the image of selfishness and greed. It is likely that the individual hoards many things of value. He or she also has no intention of sharing. Once he or she has something in their possession, they never let it go; it's simply not in their nature.

This card does not say that this is a negative trait – at the moment. While the individual may benefit from a little less selflessness, the Four of Pentacles also suggests that hoarding may actually be a good thing in the present situation. Sometimes, this card will turn up in a spread right before an individual takes a significant loss in income, so being thrifty might be a wise action. However, it is important that this hoarding not have a negative impact on others.

The Five of Pentacles follows this card.