Three of Pentacles Meanings (Upright & Reversed)
Last Updated: October 29, 2022
The Three of Pentacles is the third card in the suit of Pentacles (also known as the suit of coins, suit of disks, or suit of rings) and one of the fifty-six suit cards from the minor arcana. In divinatory tarot, the Suit of Pentacles represents the physical, material, financial and earthly aspects of our lives.
Divination practices such as cartomancy can help us make decisions, offer guidance, and help us tune into our intuition when we are at a crossroads in our lives. Understanding the meanings of each tarot card can help you sharpen your interpretative skills so you can get the most out of your readings.
The threes in tarot are full of energy, representing creativity and growth, and the Three of Pentacles is all about growth in collaboration with others. Everyone has a role to play and it’s all vital to making great things happen. In this article, we will explore the different meanings of the Three of Pentacles in various tarot reading contexts.
Table of content
- Traditional depiction
- Key correspondences
- The upright Three of Pentacles meaning
- Upright meaning for love
- Upright meaning for career
- Upright meaning for health
- The Three of Pentacles as feelings
- The Three of Pentacles as a person
- The Three of Pentacles as advice
- The Three of Pentacles Zodiac sign
- Is the Three of Pentacles a yes or no card?
- The reversed Three of Pentacles meaning
- Reverse meaning for love
- Reverse meaning for career
- Reverse meaning for health
Pictorial Symbolism in the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck
The artworks from the Rider-Waite-Smith tarot deck contain deeper esoteric meanings that tarotists love to decipher. The Three of Pentacles depicts three figures working together to design, sculpt and build an intricate building.
There is a sculptor who can be seen in conversation with two people holding the architectural plans. The building in the background is a decorative cathedral with three pentacles carved into the stone.
The characters are seen facing each other and engaging, demonstrating that they value each other’s opinions, expertise and perspective. The cathedral can only be built with the contribution of the sculptor and the architect.
The Three of Pentacles key correspondences
Upright keywords | Teamwork, collaboration, mastery |
Reversed keywords | Selfishness, close-mindedness, misaligned team |
| Yes or No | Yes |
| Numerology | Three (3) |
| Element | Earth |
Ruling Planet | Saturn |
| Astrological Sign | Capricorn |
What does the upright Three of Pentacles mean in the Tarot?
One person cannot achieve everything all by themselves, we are stronger, smarter and more capable when we combine our skills and ideas. It is important to know your strengths and weaknesses in order to know your place in the bigger picture.
The Three of Pentacles encourages you to learn from those around you and seek out your team – the people who will support you and work towards a common goal.
Now is a great time to get creative and move forward with your ideas, have confidence in yourself and your skills, even if you don’t have the experience yet.
When pulled in the upright position, the Three of Coins is linked with teamwork, collaboration, and mastery.
What does the upright Three of Pentacles mean in a love reading?
In a love reading, this card upright indicates that there is a deep mutual respect between you and your partner. You appreciate what each of you brings to the table and can celebrate your differences while knowing how to work together to work through any disagreements.
Communication is vital, so make sure you’re able to listen to your partner’s perspective and understand that they might see the world differently, but both of your unique experiences and feelings are valid.
What does the upright Three of Pentacles mean in a career reading?
In a career reading, this card upright is advising you to learn from those around you. Be confident to share your experience and take your spot as an expert in your field, but remember that other people will play an important role in getting the job done.
The key right now is teamwork, so be ready to get stuck into working collaboratively and sharing the load, it is only when you can work together that things will start moving forward. People are coming to you for advice and asking you to share your expertise.
You might feel inexperienced but know that your role and your ideas are as important as anyone else’s.
What does the upright Three of Pentacles mean in a health reading?
In a health-related reading, the upright Three of Pentacles is generally a positive sign for your health. If you’ve been putting the work in and looking after yourself, it’s likely that this is starting to pay off and you can see the benefits of making good health decisions and taking positive action.
If you have any health concerns, you don’t have to tackle them on your own. Call in the help of the experts and work together to find a solution.
The Three of Pentacles as feelings/emotions
If you are asking the tarot how someone feels about you, pulling the Three of Pentacles means they respect you and are impressed by you. They care about your opinion and see you as a whole individual person, appreciating everything you bring to the table.
There is mutual love and respect from this person as you both see the benefits of working together and bringing value to each other’s lives.
The Three of Pentacles as a person
As a personality archetype, the Three of Pentacles represents someone who is an apprentice of life. They are learning in conventional and unconventional ways, taking in the world around them and learning from others.
They are growing their confidence and finding their place in the world. They are creative and full of ideas, but also prepared for hard work and ready to get stuck in, taking pride in their work and perfecting their craft.
The Three of Pentacles as advice
If you are asking the tarot for advice regarding a specific situation in your life, pulling the Three of Pentacles means that collaboration is key.
Learn from more experienced people and embrace working as a team towards a common goal. Put your ego aside and prepare to accept help and work collaboratively.
What is the zodiac or astrological sign associated with the Three of Pentacles?
The zodiac sign associated with the Three of Pentacles is Capricorn. It is the 10th sign in the zodiac, an earth sign and a cardinal sign. Capricorn energy is ambitious, determined and ready to get the job done. It is very work-focused, just like the Three of Pentacles.
Is the Three of Pentacles a yes or no card?
The Three of Pentacles is a strong yes card in the tarot, especially in relation to career and creativity. It is generally a very positive card to pull in any reading. The outcome is not without hard work but this is a good sign for a positive outcome. Below are some of my interpretations based on different types of questions:
Question: Will I get the job?
Card Interpretation: Yes – prepare to be part of the team, this is not an isolated role.
Question: Is this new person in my life good for me?
Card Interpretation: Yes – you bring out the best in each other with your different backgrounds, experiences and perspectives.
Question: Will I achieve my current goals?
Card Interpretation: Yes – if you set your mind to it and put the work in.
Question: Should I make that investment?
Card Interpretation: Seek out the advice of experts and those who know more than you to help with this one.
Question: Should I start my own business?
Card Interpretation: Don’t go it alone – so if you’re starting a new project make sure you’ve got a good supporting team around you!
What does the reversed Three of Pentacles mean in the Tarot?
The Three of Pentacles reversed suggests a lack of communication and collaboration. You might feel like you’re walking against the current or that everyone around you is pulling in different directions for their own gain.
You might feel frustrated and be inclined to put everything on your own shoulders, unable to ask for help. You might find yourself or others being selfish and unable to open up to other ideas and perspectives.
When pulled in the reversed position, the Three of Coins is linked with f selfishness, close-mindedness, and a misaligned team.
What does the reversed Three of Pentacles mean in a love reading?
You are struggling to see things from your partner’s perspective. You each have your own ideas and focuses and you’re not aligned with the vision of your relationship.
You will struggle to move forward in this relationship if you can’t work together and begin to value one another’s unique experiences.
You are both individuals and that’s what makes the relationship interesting and unique, so be sure to make communication and collaboration a priority.
What does the inverted Three of Pentacles mean in a career reading?
Pulling the Three of Pentacles in the reversed position indicates that you might be feeling the frustration of everyone’s ideas and opinions right now, and like you can’t move forward because everyone has different opinions of the right way to do things.
It might also feel difficult for you to contribute your own ideas because you’re not confident in them or you think they won’t be heard. Try to really listen to what others are saying and find a common ground.
Don’t get too attached to your own ideas that you miss out on what others can bring. The best things happen when you’re able to work together and bring the best bits from everyone’s ideas.
What does the upside-down Three of Pentacles mean in a health reading?
Don’t bury your head in the sand. If something isn’t right it’s not going to go away on its own. It’s time to take action to make things better. You don’t have to face everything alone so take this as a sign to ask for help and get some ideas or support.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the 3 of Pentacles tarot card is a powerful symbol of teamwork, collaboration, and mastery. When this card appears in your reading, it is often a sign that you are working towards a common goal with others, and that your combined efforts will lead to success. It can also be a reminder that it is important to recognize when we need help from others and to be willing to ask for it when needed.
Despite its association with mysticism and occultism, the tarot has grown to become much more than a simple “fortune-telling” tool. For many tarot practitioners, it is a complex system made of symbolic imagery and psychological considerations (Jungian archetypes for example) that can be used for self-exploration, meditation, and personal transformation.
The 56 lesser arcana cards relate to the day-to-day events of our lives, the more mundane aspects of our existence. Even though that part of the tarot is about the “smaller picture”, it symbolizes the constant choices we make that shape our lives, our characters, and ultimately our destinies.
Have you ever had a reading where the Three Of Pentacles appeared? What was the outcome? What does that card mean to you personally? How do you interpret this card in your own tarot practice?
Share your thoughts and experiences with me in the comments below. Additionally, If you want to know more about the different tarot cards, feel free to check out my complete list of all 78 tarot cards and their meanings.
Written By Charlotte Hamilton
Charlotte Hamilton is an artist, tarot reader and founder of Sugar Storm Studio, a creative studio that empowers weirdos, rebels and outsiders through alternative fashion, creative workshops and tarot. Find out more at www.sugarstormstudio.com
Learn more about the Suit of Pentacles
This page is part of our comprehensive list of the 56 minor arcana tarot cards & their meanings. If you enjoyed the read, then you’ll love the following articles.