Four of Wands Tarot Card Meanings: Love, Reversed & More

Four is the number of stasis. In the plot progression of the Minor Arcana, Aces start things off, Twos are where plans are born, Threes are where things get going, and Fours are a long buildup until the conflict and climax in Five.

In the Minor Arcana suits, Fours are waiting periods and markers of stability. In the Four of Wands, this is depicted as a celebration of hard work.

About Four of Wands

  • Keywords: Joy, celebration, community, relaxation
  • Keywords (Reversed): Conflicts, isolation, transitions, not putting down roots
  • Yes or No: Yes
  • Yes or No (Reversed): Yes
  • Element: Fire
  • Zodiac Sign: Aries

In the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot, the Four of Wands is depicted as a kind of harvest festival. In the foreground, four tall wands support a garland of fruit and flowers akin to a sukkah — a structure used during Sukkot, a week-long period of rejoicing in Judaism.

Behind this, two figures dance holding bouquets. There are more dancing figures beyond that, and, in the background, the viewer can see the walls and towers of a castle.

Four of Wands Tarot Card.

The four wands form the corners of the sukkah-like structure, creating an image of stability. All of them are straight, upright, and require no additional supports. This points to the harvest celebration as emblematic of tradition and the stability of a community.

Overall, the card’s imagery points to celebration, bounty, achievement, prosperity, and the enjoyment of one’s hard work.

See also: Check out Rider-Waite-Smith Tarot decks here.

Four of Wands Meaning (Upright)

In a general reading, the Four of Wands is similar to the Three of Cups, though the connotations are slightly different. This card represents weddings, celebrations, happy communities, and joyous family events.

The people in this card have set down roots, established a successful community, and are enjoying the fruits of their labor. When the Four of Wands appears, it indicates teamwork, coming together to celebrate, and successful group efforts.

Four of Wands Meaning (Reversed)

When reversed, the Four of Wands signifies unhappiness within a group. There’s a rift in a community or family, and you may feel that you no longer fit into a place you once called home.

This card may also indicate failure brought about by instability, or the problems caused when people can’t work together as a group. A successful harvest requires the whole community to pull together. If that doesn’t happen, there’s no harvest festival.

See also: Check out alternate Tarot decks here.

Four of Wands Meaning – Love & Relationships (Upright)

In a love reading, the Four of Wands upright can represent a wedding, engagement party, or simply feeling welcomed by your partner’s family. It can be a very strong omen for weddings, in particular, though it can also represent other milestones.

In general, it represents setting the foundation for a stable, long-term relationship. There’s also a strong subtext of community love and approval — your love won’t just be celebrated between the two of you. Your family will become part of a larger, supportive community.

If you’re single, this card can represent parties, celebrations, and enjoying yourself. You may meet a new partner at a social engagement, especially within your community, or just have fun being unattached.

Four of Wands Meaning – Love & Relationships (Reversed)

The Four of Wands reversed isn’t a great sign in a love reading. It generally indicates an unhappy family life, either between you and your partner, or you and your partner’s family and community.

Even if you love your significant other, you may feel like an outsider. If you have a wedding scheduled, this may indicate a postponement or cancellation.

If you’re single, your social life might be hurting. You may also feel that you’re having a hard time finding a partner because you don’t seem to fit in anywhere.

It’s likely that this feeling is all in your head, but your sense of self-doubt may be sabotaging your ability to feel comfortable around others.

See also: Check out the current top 100 Best-Selling Tarot books in the USA here.

Four of Wands Meaning – As Feelings (Upright)

The Four of Wands upright is a celebration card, specifically community celebrations. When this person looks at you, they’re probably seeing weddings, family parties, and community building.

They’re very content when they’re around you. As their feelings stand now, they’re likely to want to make a deeper commitment to you in the near future.

Four of Wands Meaning – As Feelings (Reversed)

Reversed, the Four of Wands indicates instability and restlessness. This person may feel that your vision of the future is incompatible with theirs, or like you can’t offer each other the long-term stability and support necessary for a lasting relationship.

It’s also possible that this person has strong feelings for you but doesn’t feel like they fit in with your friends, family, or community.

Four of Wands Meaning – As Reconciliation (Upright)

Upright, the Four of Wands is a great reconciliation card. It indicates that you and your ex could start again with a better foundation for your relationship.

It’s possible that they’ve started to realize that they want you to be part of their future. If a reconciliation happens, it’s likely to lead to a successful, long-term relationship. There may even be marriage or babies on the horizon.

Four of Wands Meaning – As Reconciliation (Reversed)

On the other hand, the Four of Wands reversed indicates that there’s a disconnect keeping you from reconciling. All of the right feelings might be there, but something is missing.

Your ex either doesn’t feel that you can offer them the future they want, or they’ve already started building a relationship with someone else. Right now, a reconciliation is unlikely.

Four of Wands Meaning – Careers, Business & Money (Upright)

When it comes to careers and business, the Four of Wands is a sign of a happy work environment, enjoyable and successful teamwork, and the celebration of achievements. Things are harmonious and stable, and you and your co-workers are productive.

You might be experiencing a lot of work parties, award ceremonies, or teambuilding exercises. No matter whether you work for a company, or own your own business, this card means high morale and good relationships between co-workers.

If you’re in an ownership or managerial role, be sure to celebrate and incentivize this state of harmony and efficiency. Happy workers mean higher quality work!

Financially, this card signifies a good harvest. You’ve worked hard, and you’re now reaping the benefits. Just like the figures in the card enjoy their bounty of peaches grapes, and flowers, you’re enjoying a fatter bank account.

You may wish to pay things forward by spending some money to enrich your family or community.

Four of Wands Meaning – Careers, Business & Money (Reversed)

If the Four of Wands upright is high morale and cooperation, the Four of Wands reversed is conflict and friction. There might be mistrust, gossip, or other issues undermining the foundation of the group.

Co-workers may not get along, making group projects and teamwork nearly impossible. Things aren’t getting done, because personality clashes get in the way.

This card can also point to a significant event that changes relationships in your workplace. It may be that everyone got along, but something happened to change all of that. If this card seems to indicate a turning point, look to the other cards around it for more context.

Considering this card’s celebratory imagery, the key event may very well be a workplace party. Avoid overindulging in alcohol or acting unprofessionally. Having too much fun one day may lead to strained relationships the next.

In a money reading, this card shows that your financial state isn’t as good as it could be. It may be that your savings and investments aren’t well planned out, or that you’re spending too much to support your family.

Fixing things will call for some tough decisions, but this is necessary if you’re going to get control over your finances.

Four of Wands: Yes or No?

The Four of Wands indicates celebration and stability, so, in a “Yes or No” reading, it’s a “Yes!” This card is a pretty positive omen in general, which means that you’re most likely going to get the outcome you’re looking for.

If the Four of Wands is reversed, it’s still a “Yes.” It just isn’t likely to be quite as joyful and optimistic as it would be when upright. You might get the answer you want, but find that it’s not all that it’s cracked up to be.

Since this card’s meaning relates to community, you may also get what you want only to find that it causes problems with those around you.


The Four of Wands is what happens when a community pulls together for the greater good. Upright, this card is a joyful omen that represents bounty, security, and shared prosperity.

Reversed, it warns us against the pain and loss felt by everyone when we fail to work together.

See also: For more Tarot Card Meanings, check out our complete list of Tarot Cards and their meanings here.


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