What Does the King of Pentacles Mean in a Tarot Reading?

After seeing the King of Pentacles in a tarot spread, you may be wondering exactly what that says about you—and we’re here to help. The King of Pentacles is a tarot card from the Minor Arcana deck representing wealth and abundance, making it a positive omen for tarot users. Seeing the King of Pentacles often means that success and financial stability are coming your way! Read on for a complete guide to the King of Pentacles card, from its general Upright and Reversed meanings to its significance in love, spirituality, and more.

Things You Should Know

The Upright King of Pentacles tarot card signifies abundance, prosperity, success, wealth, security, ambition, business smarts, and stability.
The Reversed King of Pentacles represents a lack of success, materialism, being preoccupied with wealth and status, stubbornness, and financial instability.
In a “Yes or No” reading, an Upright King of Pentacles indicates a “Yes” answer while a Reversed card indicates a “No” answer.

Section 1 of 8:

King of Pentacles Upright & Reversed Meanings

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The Upright King of Pentacles represents abundance and prosperity. In a tarot reading, the Upright King of Pentacles has a regal aura; he’s responsible and reliable, dedicated to building up a thriving kingdom through hard work and determination. Thus, the card is a symbol of success and achievement; it’s a reminder to channel your resources toward achieving your loftiest goals in life—and when it comes to financial matters, this card is especially positive, representing material wealth, stability, and wise investments.^{[1]
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- Tarot keywords: prosperity, success, wealth, abundance, security, ambition, comfort, protection, business, reliability, leadership, and discipline.
- Sometimes, the King of Pentacles also represents a person: a man who is grounded and has a knack for business and finances. He’s generous and protective but has rather conservative values and may be an earth zodiac sign (Taurus, Virgo, or Capricorn).
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The Reversed King of Pentacles symbolizes materialism and greed. This card often serves as a warning that you may be putting too much value in money and outer appearances—and not enough in things like love, security, and stability. It also represents losing social status, lack of success, and poor judgment, indicating that you may be experiencing hardships at the moment, especially when it comes to material goods or finances. Overall, it encourages you to seek true happiness in your life.^{[2]
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- Tarot keywords: Financial incompetence, preoccupation with wealth and status, stubbornness, bad reputation, lack of success, and feeling discouraged.
- When the Reversed King of Pentacles represents a person, it’s often an older man with poor judgment. He may be prone to gambling or taking unwise financial risks—or, on the other hand, he may be cutthroat, greedy, and unfaithful.

Section 2 of 8:

King of Pentacles in Love

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Upright The Upright King of Pentacles represents a loving, stable, and nurturing partner who shows love through actions rather than words. This card suggests you’re likely to meet a partner like that (if you haven’t already), and that while this partner may be slow to commit, it’s only because they want to feel sure about the relationship (and you) before moving forward. In time, this card indicates that your relationship with strengthen even more and grow into a comfortable, emotionally fulfilling, and financially stable partnership.^{[3]
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- If you’re single: The King of Pentacles is a sign of reassurance, letting you know that you’re ready for a real relationship. You’ve worked on yourself and found financial stability—so now it’s time to find a partner as mature as you.
- If you’re in a relationship: Your relationship has grown, and you’re now in a stable, comfortable spot with your partner. You’ve worked hard to get where you are—now focus on spending time with your partner and enjoying it.
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Reversed If you’re doing a love tarot spread and see the Reversed King of Pentacles, this indicates that someone in your love life may be using you. The Reversed King of Pentacles is greedy, materialistic, and stubborn, so this person may be using their money to control you (or members of their family) and get what they want. Alternatively, this person may be unreliable (especially with money) and have a tendency to gamble money away. Otherwise, the card signifies a period of emotional insecurity or jealousy in your love life.
- If you’re single: You may be on the verge of meeting someone, but they could be controlling. They likely have a higher financial status than you, but may use this to overwhelm you with gifts and manipulate you into a relationship. Take extra care when meeting people during this time.
- If you’re in a relationship: You may not have the level of stability or reassurance you want from your relationship right now. This could indicate that issues like jealousy, manipulation, or possessiveness are taking a toll.

Section 3 of 8:

King of Pentacles in Careers

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Upright If you’re doing a career tarot spread, the Upright King of Pentacles is a very positive omen! It signifies that your work life is thriving and you’re close to achieving your goals or reaching a high status in your chosen profession. If you’re still trying to figure out what career might be right for you, the King of Pentacles suggests you might have a talent for business, banking, or finance. Finally, it may be a sign that someone older (possibly a man) may become a mentor for you, giving you support and career advice.^{[4]
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- Tip: If a mentor does come into your life, be sure to listen thoughtfully to them. Their advice may help take your career to the next level.
- If a mentor doesn’t come to you, consider looking for mentorship yourself. A mentor can be an extremely valuable source of guidance and knowledge when it comes to furthering your career.
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Reversed The Reversed King of Pentacles may be an omen of failed work projects, instability at work, or the loss of a job. You may also feel tired of your job (and find your motivation is dwindling as a result), implying that your current job may not be the right fit for you. Alternatively, this card may indicate that someone ruthless, greedy, and potentially older than you at work is trying to undermine you or make you feel like you can’t succeed.^{[5]
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- Tip: If someone is undermining you at work, try not to let them get under your skin. Take the high road and focus on doing your job well. Limit your interactions with this person and spend more time with coworkers who will support you instead.
- If you’ve been looking for a promotion, raise, or a new job, the Reversed King of Pentacles may be a sign that you need more experience first.

Section 4 of 8:

King of Pentacles in Finance

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Upright Your hard work is about to pay off! The Upright King of Pentacles is a positive omen that suggests you’re approaching a financial milestone in life, whether you’re finally achieving financial security, getting ready to pay off an important loan, or mastering the art of saving and investing money wisely. It also encourages you to use your money to help other people (especially loved ones) now that you’re financially stable.
- Tip: Allow yourself to indulge now and then. The King of Pentacles is all about cultivating wealth through hard work, so while it’s important to keep using your money wisely, it’s also very reasonable to reward yourself for your effort.
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Reversed The Reversed King of Pentacles tends to be a negative omen, often representing financial loss (such as bankruptcy, being broke, or generally struggling financially). Regardless of your specific situation, this card indicates that money may be tight at the moment, potentially due to recent financial decisions on your part. On the other hand, this card may signify that you’re hoarding your wealth (keeping it all for yourself), causing others to have a negative opinion of you.^{[6]
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- Tip: If you’re struggling financially, try educating yourself on effective saving (and spending) practices. Conserve as much money as possible, budget your income, and work your way toward financial stability.
- If you’ve been stingy with your money, this card may be your reminder to start giving back, especially when it comes to helping your loved ones or supporting important causes you believe in. Try to be more generous with your money.

Section 5 of 8:

King of Pentacles in Health

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Upright The Upright King of Pentacles is a good sign in a health-related tarot reading. The King represents prosperity, so when it comes to health and wellness, this card signifies vitality, physical strength, and happiness. Take this card as a sign that you’ll have stability and peace of mind regarding your health. Furthermore, if you have any concerns about your health, this card signifies they’ll likely be resolved quickly.^{[7]
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- Tip: It’s still important to put in the work and take care of yourself. According to the King of Pentacles, you’re doing great so far, so keep it up. Eat a balanced diet and make some time for self-care.
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Reversed The Reversed King of Pentacles may be a sign that you’re feeling insecure or anxious about your health. You may find yourself constantly checking (and re-checking) for symptoms or conditions and working yourself up, thinking there could be something wrong. On the other hand, this card can indicate that your lifestyle is currently reaching unhealthy extremes (either because you’re overworked or not working at all).^{[8]
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- Tip: Try to relax! If you feel like you might actually have a health problem, consult a healthcare professional about it—but don’t wind yourself up looking up symptoms online.
- If you’re overworking and wearing yourself out, work on striking a healthy work-life balance. The King of Pentacles indicates that moderation is key.

Section 6 of 8:

King of Pentacles in Spirituality

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Upright The Upright King of Pentacles is a sign that your life is ready for spiritual enrichment. You’ve spent years focusing on wealth, success, and financial stability—the material aspects of life. The card indicates that you’ve come far, and now that you’re here, it’s time to expand your horizons. It encourages you to start focusing on your spiritual needs because you’ve already got all the financial security you’ll need.
- Tip: Do you have a spiritual side that you’ve been neglecting? Or is there a spiritual practice that you want to learn more about? Do some research and explore any spiritual ideas (from prayer to meditation or other rituals) you might find fulfilling.
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Reversed Spiritually, the Reversed King of Pentacles suggests that you may be losing touch with your spiritual side and getting too preoccupied with material wealth instead. The card is a reminder that wealth and success aren’t everything in life; thus, it encourages you to refocus on the things that are truly important to you—in short, those things you can’t put a price tag on.
- Tip: Consider whether you’ve been spending as much time with loved ones lately. If you find that you’ve been neglecting those relationships, reconnect with the people you care about most.

Section 7 of 8:

King of Pentacles Tarot Card Yes/No Meaning

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In a Yes/No tarot reading, the Upright King of Pentacles means “Yes.” This card is an omen of success and prosperity, so it’s generally a positive sign if you see it while doing a Yes/No tarot spread. The King of Pentacles is all about chasing success while still remaining grounded; it’s reassurance that you’re capable of accomplishing your goals and excelling in life. That’s why the King of Pentacles represents a resounding “Yes,” especially if your question relates to money in some way!^{[9]
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- However, a Reversed King of Pentacles indicates a wary “No.” Since the Reversed card indicates a need for a change in mindset, it asks you to reconsider your question or choices before pressing forward.^{[10]
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Section 8 of 8:

King of Pentacles Appearance & Symbolism

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The King of Pentacles depicts a king sitting on a decorated throne. The throne features carvings of bulls (representing the king’s connection to the astrological sign Taurus), while grapes and vines cover the king’s robe (representing riches and prosperity). The king holds a scepter in his right hand and a gold coin in his left, symbolizing his power over the material world and ability to maintain wealth through discipline and authority.^{[11]
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- More vines, flowers, and other plants surround the king’s throne, symbolic of his position at the highest level of material success.
- The king’s castle is in the background, representing everything he’s built through sheer effort and perseverance.