The Four of Pentacles card talks about holding on to something very tightly and not wanting to let go.
The Four of Pentacles has different meanings when interpreted upright as it does reversed (upside down, not the same as face down).
The table below shows a brief summary of interpretations, followed by more in-depth analysis of the card in both positions below.
| Upright | Reversed |
| Possessiveness. Hoarding. Not wanting to let go. Being stingy. | Reckless spending. Financial generosity. |
| (Yes/No?): Yes or No (Inconclusive) | (Yes/No?): No |
The Four of Pentacles is a card about holding on to something extremely tightly.
This can be to the point of being possessive, to being downright stingy or hoarding even.
This card does not indicate a sense of security, rather a need to grasp something so tightly for fear of losing it.
When drawn in the reverse, the Four of Pentacles can be a warning that there is too much reckless spending occurring, or it can indicate the presence of generosity.
Number 4 Meaning
In numerology, the number 4 represents expansion and development.
The number 4 is a feminine number.
Just like how it takes four walls to build a house, or four tires to ground a car, fours are associated with strong foundations and stability.
The number four has strong connotations to order and organization.
Four of Pentacles Description
In the original Rider-Waite tarot deck, the Four of Pentacles depicts a sitting man, clutching a pentacle with all his might, as if not to let it go.
Beneath each foot he secures two pentacles, and on his head rests another pentacle.
He appears to be making certain that nobody comes into contact with his pentacles.
There are many different versions of this card in many different decks today, so always pay close attention to the imagery when interpreting the card.