King of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning

Keywords (Upright)

• abundance
• security
• discipline
• leadership
• material success

Keywords (Reversed)

• greed
• rigidity
• stubbornness
• financial imbalance
• over-control

Card Description & Esoteric Background

The King of Pentacles sits confidently on a throne adorned with vines, bulls, and ripe fruit—symbols of prosperity, stability, and grounded authority. In his hands, he holds a golden pentacle, surveying his flourishing domain with calm pride. His rich robes and composed posture reflect a life built through steady effort and wise stewardship.

“He has built, earned, and now sustains.”

In the Thoth Tarot, this archetype appears as the Knight of Disks, emphasizing the active management and disciplined cultivation of the material world. Both traditions capture the essence of long-term success, responsibility, and mastery over resources.

The King of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning: Upright

When upright, the King of Pentacles signals abundance, security, and thoughtful leadership. This is the card of someone who has not only accumulated wealth but knows how to maintain and share it wisely.

Key Upright Interpretations:

• Material Success: Enjoy the fruits of careful planning and disciplined work.
• Leadership: Guide others with steady, practical wisdom.
• Security: Build structures that last—whether in business, family, or community.
• Generosity: True prosperity involves uplifting others, not just yourself.

The king of pentacles tarot card meaning here reflects a life founded on patience, responsibility, and a clear understanding of value—both material and moral.

The King of Pentacles Tarot Card Meaning: Reversed

Reversed, the King of Pentacles reveals where attachment to status or resources has become unhealthy. You may be clinging too tightly to control, defining success only by external measures, or forgetting the human side of prosperity.

Key Reversed Interpretations:

• Greed or Hoarding: Holding on too fiercely to wealth or possessions.
• Rigidity: Unwillingness to adapt, innovate, or consider others’ needs.
• Measuring Worth by Wealth: Equating success purely with financial status.
• Neglecting People: Allowing material focus to overshadow relationships.

“This reversal asks you to reconsider: Does your kingdom serve others, or just your own ego and fears?”

Summary: The Builder of Legacy

The King of Pentacles stands as the architect of enduring success—stable, wise, and generous. Upright, he models responsible leadership and prosperity that benefits more than just himself. Reversed, he exposes greed, stubbornness, or an imbalanced view of value.

“Ultimately, this card asks: Are you building a true legacy that supports others—or merely constructing walls around your wealth?”