The God of Wealth, 财神 (Cái Shén), is the figure Chinese families and businesses turn to for prosperity. He is honoured on business counters and home altars all year, and especially at Chinese New Year, when the fifth day is set aside to welcome him. “God of Wealth” is really a title shared by several figures, so this guide explains who they are, how they are shown and how the welcoming is done.
Civil and martial Gods of Wealth
The many Gods of Wealth fall into two broad kinds.
Civil Gods of Wealth
The civil forms, 文财神, are shown as scholars or officials in court robes, often holding a gold ingot or a scroll. The best known are Bi Gan (比干), an upright minister of ancient legend, and Fan Li (范蠡), the statesman who became a famously successful merchant. They stand for wealth earned through honesty and good judgment.
Martial Gods of Wealth
The martial forms, 武财神, are warriors. Zhao Gongming (赵公明) rides a black tiger and carries an iron whip. Guan Yu, 关公 (Guān Gōng), the red-faced general of the Three Kingdoms, is honoured for loyalty and righteousness and is a favourite of businesses, where trust between partners matters. Martial Gods of Wealth are believed to protect wealth as well as bring it.
The Five Gods of Wealth
Many temples honour the Five Gods of Wealth, 五路财神, usually Zhao Gongming with four companions. The “five roads” stand for wealth coming from every direction.
Welcoming the God of Wealth on the fifth day
The fifth day of the Lunar New Year, 初五, is traditionally the God of Wealth’s day. Families and shopkeepers set out offerings, light incense and set off firecrackers in places where that is allowed, and many businesses reopen on or around this day so the year’s trade starts with his blessing.
In 2027, Chinese New Year falls on Saturday 6 February 2027, so the fifth day is Wednesday 10 February 2027. The rest of the season’s customs are in our guide to Chinese New Year traditions, and if you are picking a reopening day, our list of business opening dates for 2027 shows the days that pass the general almanac checks.
Placing a God of Wealth figure
Popular custom gives a few guidelines, though practice varies between families and temples:
- A civil God of Wealth is usually placed facing into the home or business, as if welcoming wealth in.
- A martial God of Wealth such as Guan Gong is often placed facing the main door, to guard the entrance.
- The figure sits raised, on a clean altar or shelf, never on the floor and never facing a toilet.
- Offerings are simple: incense, fruit, tea and sweets, refreshed regularly.
The God of Wealth is a figure of devotion rather than a feng shui object, but he often shares a counter with the wealth symbols we cover separately, such as pixiu, the money frog and the fortune cat. All of them are gathered in our guide to Chinese good luck symbols.
Wealth in a chart
In Ba Zi, wealth has its own place in the chart: the element your Day Master controls is called the wealth element, and how strong it is, and when the luck pillars bring it, says a great deal about money and timing. It describes your relationship with wealth; it does not promise any amount.
If you want to know when your chart favours a new venture or a bigger financial step, that is a question for a Ba Zi reading: one hour with your chart, a written summary after, and no fear-selling.