The Emperor - Four

Tarot of Marseilles

Four represents the dimension of time. One of the first major expositors of the fourth dimension was Charles Howard Hinton, starting in 1880 with his essay What is the Fourth Dimension? He introduced a method for visualising the fourth dimension using cubes in the book Fourth Dimension. In the fourth dimension, time is like an object which appears bigger or smaller depending on its duration. Past, present and future all exist simultaneously. Every moment of time is equally real. This philosophical approach to the nature of time is called eternalism. On the other hand, presentism asserts that only the present exists. Additionally there is the "growing block theory" which views the present and past as real but the future as non-existent.

In buddhism there are four noble truths. Dukkha is the struggle of trying to hold on to things which are ever changing and transient. Samudaya is the conditioned arising of the present, the principle of cause and consequence. Nirvana is the mental liberation from struggling. Magga is the path, or practical steps, toward ending dukkha. There are four stages of enlightenment; stream-enterer, once-returner, non-returner, and arahant. In Hinduism, there are four aims of human life. Dharma means maintaining harmony with Nature. Artha means to be of service to others. Kama is the healthy enjoyment of life's pleasures. Moksha means freedom from struggle and illusion.

Four are the classical elements and the humours of the body. Four are the cardinal directions and seasons of the year. Four are the fundamental forces of Nature; electromagnetism, gravitation, weak nuclear force, and strong nuclear force. The Pythagoreans considered four as the root of all things, the fountain of Nature. Four represents the cycle of Nature, ever revolving and renewing. Four is the number of Samsara meaning "continuous flow". This can be depicted as a wheel with four spokes.

This symbol is often called a "sun cross" because it relates to the movement of the sun, and the four cardinal points of the solar year. This symbol is also associated with planet Earth, relating to the movement of the Earth around the sun, and the four "corners" of the planet. This symbol was often used by earthly rulers as a symbol of their dominion over the planet. To me, the Emperor represents the ruling forces of Nature in constant flow. Nothing is permanent, the wheel is always turning. We cannot fight the course of time.