This is the day to pray for money, money, money
By Zhang Qian |
April 24, 2013, Wednesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
FIRECRACKERS go off, incense is burned and sacrifices are made today to celebrate the birthday of the God of Wealth Zhao Gongming and to pray that he showers people with riches.
Chinese businessmen, always concerned about pleasing the money god, will probably be especially devout. The god is said to be in a good mood on his birthday and thus especially receptive to requests for largesse.
Around China, there will be temple fairs, drumming, regional opera, chanting and rituals in temples.
People believe that the more hospitality they show, the better the chances that the God of Wealth will enter their houses, hear their prayers and stay for a while.
Actually, there are six gods of wealth, but Zhao is one of the best known, born on the 15th day of the third month on the Chinese lunar calendar. Zhao is typically depicted in statues and paintings as a warrior with a black face and beard, wearing armor, riding on a black tiger and holding a silver whip in his hand. This is the image that is commonly worshipped.
He is one of the three martial gods of wealth who not only bring wealth to believers but also fend off base people, monsters and bad spirits. The other two are Guan Yu and Zhong Kui.
The three civil gods of wealth are typically depicted as gentle officials who offer more help in wealth acquisition. They are Li Guizu, Fan Li and Bi Gan.
Businessmen need special protection from the martial gods of wealth since they face more risks in making money.
Apart from competing to burn the first incense for Zhao on Lunar New Year's morning and related festivals, many believers keep a statue of Zhao at home and pay homage by burning incense and leaving offerings of wine.
It is said that the martial gods of wealth should be positioned facing the door to drive away evils and protect the house owner. They should not be worshipped together with a civil god of wealth, nor should their statues be set next to those of other martial gods.
Offerings like foods or wine should put in containers made of earth of clay, since martial gods live in the mortal world.
According to legend, Zhao was one of the nine suns that were burning the earth and were shot down by the hero Hou Yi. While the other eight suns became monsters and immediately threatened mortals, Zhou became human but cultivated himself into an immortal in Sichuan Province.
In other myths, Zhao was a malevolent god in the underworld who killed people by spreading plague.
In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhou became a popular God of Wealth, probably because commerce became increasingly important. With the improving social status of businessmen and traders, they found they needed a particular god to hear their prayers. Before the Ming Dynasty, businessmen, even wealthy ones, had extremely low social status, even lower than that of farmers.
Zhao plays an important role in "Feng Shen Yan Yi" ("The Story of Chinese Gods"), a popular novel in the Ming Dynasty. In the story, he is a mortal with magic and martial arts skills, but he is assassinated when he assists the Emperor Zhou in the war against Jiang Ziya in the Shang Dynasty (16th century-11th century BC). When it ends in the collapse of the Shang Dynasty, Zhao is elevated by Jiang as a god of wealth. All heroes of the war, living and dead, are deified.
Together with his four assistants, namely zhao bao (attracting treasure ?D±|), na zhen (collecting jewelry ?é??), zhao cai (attracting fortune ?D2?) and li shi (benefiting profit à?êD), Zhao governs all the fortunes and business in the world.
Regional operas based on "The Story of Chinese Gods" are often the highlights of temple fairs. The fierce battle between Zhao and other immortals is a favorite scene.
Wielding a silver whip, Zhao enters the stage and waves his whip, then flicks the flame in a traditional oil lamp. The lamp remains lighted but sparks starts small fires on the whip. In the Shanxi Opera, this scene draws continuous applause.
Honoring the God of Wealth
? Gods of wealth like their statues to be placed in bright, busy places. Keep a continuous light on the statue and never fight or curse in the god's presence.
? Gods of wealth usually don't have a preference when it comes to offerings, such as food, but most martial gods of wealth would like some wine.
? It's best to make an offering when you are not eating, to show respect.
? Before burning incense, a popular way to reach the god, remember to wash you hands to show purity and sincerity.
Chinese businessmen, always concerned about pleasing the money god, will probably be especially devout. The god is said to be in a good mood on his birthday and thus especially receptive to requests for largesse.
Around China, there will be temple fairs, drumming, regional opera, chanting and rituals in temples.
People believe that the more hospitality they show, the better the chances that the God of Wealth will enter their houses, hear their prayers and stay for a while.
Actually, there are six gods of wealth, but Zhao is one of the best known, born on the 15th day of the third month on the Chinese lunar calendar. Zhao is typically depicted in statues and paintings as a warrior with a black face and beard, wearing armor, riding on a black tiger and holding a silver whip in his hand. This is the image that is commonly worshipped.
He is one of the three martial gods of wealth who not only bring wealth to believers but also fend off base people, monsters and bad spirits. The other two are Guan Yu and Zhong Kui.
The three civil gods of wealth are typically depicted as gentle officials who offer more help in wealth acquisition. They are Li Guizu, Fan Li and Bi Gan.
Businessmen need special protection from the martial gods of wealth since they face more risks in making money.
Apart from competing to burn the first incense for Zhao on Lunar New Year's morning and related festivals, many believers keep a statue of Zhao at home and pay homage by burning incense and leaving offerings of wine.
It is said that the martial gods of wealth should be positioned facing the door to drive away evils and protect the house owner. They should not be worshipped together with a civil god of wealth, nor should their statues be set next to those of other martial gods.
Offerings like foods or wine should put in containers made of earth of clay, since martial gods live in the mortal world.
According to legend, Zhao was one of the nine suns that were burning the earth and were shot down by the hero Hou Yi. While the other eight suns became monsters and immediately threatened mortals, Zhou became human but cultivated himself into an immortal in Sichuan Province.
In other myths, Zhao was a malevolent god in the underworld who killed people by spreading plague.
In the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), Zhou became a popular God of Wealth, probably because commerce became increasingly important. With the improving social status of businessmen and traders, they found they needed a particular god to hear their prayers. Before the Ming Dynasty, businessmen, even wealthy ones, had extremely low social status, even lower than that of farmers.
Zhao plays an important role in "Feng Shen Yan Yi" ("The Story of Chinese Gods"), a popular novel in the Ming Dynasty. In the story, he is a mortal with magic and martial arts skills, but he is assassinated when he assists the Emperor Zhou in the war against Jiang Ziya in the Shang Dynasty (16th century-11th century BC). When it ends in the collapse of the Shang Dynasty, Zhao is elevated by Jiang as a god of wealth. All heroes of the war, living and dead, are deified.
Together with his four assistants, namely zhao bao (attracting treasure ?D±|), na zhen (collecting jewelry ?é??), zhao cai (attracting fortune ?D2?) and li shi (benefiting profit à?êD), Zhao governs all the fortunes and business in the world.
Regional operas based on "The Story of Chinese Gods" are often the highlights of temple fairs. The fierce battle between Zhao and other immortals is a favorite scene.
Wielding a silver whip, Zhao enters the stage and waves his whip, then flicks the flame in a traditional oil lamp. The lamp remains lighted but sparks starts small fires on the whip. In the Shanxi Opera, this scene draws continuous applause.
Honoring the God of Wealth
? Gods of wealth like their statues to be placed in bright, busy places. Keep a continuous light on the statue and never fight or curse in the god's presence.
? Gods of wealth usually don't have a preference when it comes to offerings, such as food, but most martial gods of wealth would like some wine.
? It's best to make an offering when you are not eating, to show respect.
? Before burning incense, a popular way to reach the god, remember to wash you hands to show purity and sincerity.
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