Crossed arms
A closed posture: he has shut himself off from the world and expects nothing good.
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Minor Arcana · Cups · 4
Four of Cups Tarot Card Meaning
The Four of Cups is apathy and discontent. A young man sits under a tree with his arms crossed and doesn’t notice the cup a hand is offering him out of thin air. The card is about boredom, missed opportunities and the need to look up.
Upright
- apathy
- boredom
- discontent
- a missed chance
- self-absorption
Reversed
- awakening
- new interest
- accepting an offer
- breaking out of stagnation
- rethinking
Yes or no
Likely no
As long as you aren’t ready to notice what’s being offered, it’s a “no.” The answer will change once you look around.
Ask the cards your own question →- Number
- 4
- Element
- Water
- Astrology
- Moon in Cancer
Card symbolism in our deck
In Heinrich Pangrau’s deck, the Four of Cups shows a barefoot young man sitting on the grass under a tree, arms crossed and eyes closed. Three cups stand at his feet; a fourth is held out to him by a hand that has appeared by the trunk.
Closed eyes
The young man doesn’t see the new cup: the opportunity is near, but his gaze is turned inward.
The hand with a cup
Life is offering something new. The gift isn’t forced on anyone: it has to be noticed and taken.
Three cups at his feet
He already has quite a lot, but it brings no joy: the familiar has stopped inspiring him.
Four of Cups meaning
The Four of Cups upright is a state of boredom and satiety. You seem to have everything, yet there’s no joy. The person turns down offers without looking into them.
The card advises you to stop and honestly ask yourself what’s missing. Sometimes the answer is already being held out to you.
Four of Cups reversed
The Four reversed is an awakening: the person comes out of apathy, notices new opportunities and wants something again.
Sometimes it’s a decision to let go of what you no longer need to make room for something new.
Four of Cups in love, work, money and health
Love and relationships
Upright Cooling off, boredom in the relationship, indifference to signs of attention.
Reversed Interest returns; the person is ready to open up again.
Feelings This person is closed off and wrapped up in themselves right now. That doesn’t mean they don’t care about you; it’s just hard for them to feel anything.
Work and career
Upright Boredom at work, turning down offers, loss of motivation.
Reversed A new offer you want to accept; interest coming back.
Money
Upright Missed opportunities due to passivity.
Reversed A new chance to improve your finances.
Health
Upright Low energy, apathy, possibly the seasonal blues. Tarot is not a substitute for a doctor; if apathy lasts a long time, it’s worth seeing a specialist.
Reversed Strength gradually returns.
Four of Cups as a person
As a person: pensive, jaded, a little disillusioned. It’s hard to surprise them with anything.
The card’s advice
Upright Look up: among the things you’re turning down, there may be something important.
Reversed Say “yes” to whatever sparked your interest.
Card of the Day
Draw your card of the day
Four of Cups as the card of the day
As the card of the day: a sluggish day. Don’t reject offers out of hand.
Combinations with other cards
- Four of Cups + The HermitWithdrawing into yourself, a need for solitude.
- Four of Cups + Ace of CupsA new feeling that’s hard to notice.
- Four of Cups + Seven of CupsDreams instead of action.
- Four of Cups + JudgementAwakening and breaking out of stagnation.
- Four of Cups + Four of SwordsYou need real rest.
Frequently asked questions about Four of Cups
Is the Four of Cups a yes or no card?
Likely no, until you are ready to accept what’s being offered.
What does the Four of Cups mean in relationships?
Boredom, cooling off, indifference to a partner’s attention.
What does the Four of Cups reversed mean?
Renewed interest and coming out of apathy.
What does the Four of Cups mean as the card of the day?
Don’t turn down offers without considering them.