Who are the four folk gods of wealth in China?

The god of wealth, as its name implies, is the god in charge of wealth. In China mythology, the God of Wealth appeared relatively late, and it can be traced back to the Song Dynasty at the earliest, which is related to the prosperity of commerce after the Song Dynasty. Moreover, the god of wealth worshipped by the people is not only specific, but also positive, partial and so on. There are also a few other gods who are not the god of wealth, but are closely related to wealth. The custom of welcoming the god of wealth varies greatly from place to place, but in the final analysis, welcoming the god of wealth is a beautiful hope in people's hearts. If you want to get rich, you can only rely on your own hands.

The origin of the god of wealth

Among all upright God of Wealth, Wu Wen God of Wealth is well known. Wu Caishen usually refers to Zhao Gongming and Guan Yu, while the God of Wealth refers to Bigan and Fan Li. Among them, Wu Caishen and Zhao Gongming are the most common.

The origin of Wu Caishen-The earliest existing written record is the Book of Searching for the Gods by Gan Bao in the Jin Dynasty. In the story, he was originally a ghost general who took life as his god. In the Yuan Dynasty, he appeared as a plague god again, but gradually became a decent god who could eliminate the plague, avenge and make up.

In the Ming Dynasty's popular novel Romance of the Gods, Zhao Gongming was a general of Shang Dynasty, who helped Master Wen to resist the attack of Zhou Jun and was killed by Jiang Ziya with the skill of being disgusted with victory. He was named the God of "Golden Dragon Ruyi is the real King of Dragon, Tiger and Tan Xuan" on the altar, and he was in charge of four gods: Zhao Bao Tianzun Xiao Sheng, Natian Zhenzun Cao Bao, lucky messenger Chen Jiugong and Lishi Xian Guan Yaoshaosi. Among them, Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi are Zhao Gongming's apprentices, while Xiao Sheng and Cao Bao are sworn enemies who help Jiang Ziya collect Zhao Gongming treasures. Because his four gods are rich in the meaning of God of Wealth, Zhao Gongming's statue of God of Wealth is deeply rooted in people's hearts.

In folklore, Zhao Gongming did whatever he wanted all his life, using his good magic to beat Jiang Ziya out of the water. But later, the magic was broken and he surrendered before he died. The Emperor of Heaven blinded his eyes out of pity for loyalty and righteousness, and had no big or small financial resources for the people of the world, so he was named "Wu Caishen". Wu Caishen's insistence is to recover the debts of the world, so as to achieve justice. Preside over the wealth and justice of the world. His men, Zhao Baotianzun, Nadianzhenzun, Lucky Messenger and Lishi Xian Guan, although their duties are not directly related to wealth, they must get wealth through them. Therefore, it has become the most important god of wealth among the people. In addition, Zhao Gongming is a deity in the Taoist deity system. When the altar is built, it is necessary to offer sacrifices and ask him to preside over the gold and silver treasures dedicated to the gods.

A little observation of many hotels will reveal that they all worship Guan Gong and regard him as the god of wealth. In fact, Guan Yu is one of the many gods of wealth known for his perseverance. His story can be said to be a household name. Not only has he never touched money, but he has even sealed gold, which is a bit like the anti-wealth tendency of losing his treasure and abandoning his son. Although he is not like the god of wealth in character, Guan Gong's image is deeply loved by the public, especially his loyalty to the liver and bravery in novels and various legends and stories, which is also the requirement of ordinary people for working partners and partners. Therefore, many businessmen regard Guan Gong not only as the god of financial management, but also as the patron saint of monitoring business integrity.

The Origin of the God of Wealth-Of all the God of Wealth, Tao Zhugong Fan Li is probably the one with the most God of Wealth temperament. Fan Li was a famous minister who assisted Gou Jian, the king of Yue, at the end of the Spring and Autumn Period. After successfully destroying the shame of martial arts, he resolutely left Gou Jian, who could not share weal and woe, went into business in the sea under an anonymous name and lived in seclusion in Qi. Because of his proper management and decent business, his wealth accumulated rapidly. But later, in order to escape the fatigue of fame and fortune, he squandered his wealth, and then he went to Guo Tao, where he became Tao Zhugong, and soon he regained far better wealth than before, so he became one of the most famous tycoons in history. With the passage of time and legendary stories, Fan Li was regarded as the god of wealth by later generations. Among the four gods of wealth, Fan Li has the closest relationship with wealth. He was the representative of the rich god of wealth before his death. Proper advance and retreat, indifferent attitude towards fame and wealth, and superb management methods are important factors that make him regarded as the god of wealth.

Compared with Fan Li, Bigen is regarded as the god of wealth because of his loyalty. Bigan was a minister of Shang Dynasty. Being loyal to Zhou Wang, da ji set a trap and lied that a saint has seven delicate hearts. He asked Zhou Wang to cut out his heart. Unexpectedly, the heart really has seven, and Bigan is dead. Or da ji faked illness, pretending that he needed to get the exquisite heart of Bigan's seven strategies as medicine to attract and get rid of the loyal ministers in the DPRK. He was honest before his death and careless after his death, so he won't have prejudice and prejudice, and is suitable for managing and distributing wealth as a god. Obviously, this is the quality that regards fairness and integrity as the ideal god of wealth, and also shows the general public's desire for fair distribution of wealth.

The god of wealth is more common in folk sculptures and woodblock New Year pictures. Most of them are gold-clad jade with crown boots and a white face with a smile, which is suitable for celebrating the Spring Festival and hanging in the hall.

Folk favorites-Lishi Xian Guan and Xing Juncai Bo. As mentioned earlier, one minister in Zhao Gongming is Lishi Xian Guan Yaoshaosi, who is far more popular with the people than the third. Many portraits are not limited to Zhao, Guan, Bi and Fan. All these were accompanied by Lishi Xian Guan, and even only Lishi Xian Guan appeared alone. Although he is only the Ministry of God of Wealth, his name is very auspicious and he has won the favor of many people who dream of making a fortune. This is not caused by his own events, but by his professional title.

In addition, a wealth star regarded by the people as a "rich god of wealth" is also the most popular god. This rich star gentleman is the founder of the banking industry in the late Yuan Dynasty and the early Ming Dynasty, and the millionaire Shen San. It is said that he has a "cornucopia" that continuously produces gold and silver jewelry. At that time, Zhu Yuanzhang wanted to build the country, and turned to him for help because of lack of money, and finally completed the great cause of building the country. Therefore, he was appointed as "Minister of Finance", in charge of national finance. Later, the Emperor of Heaven named him "King of Lucky Stars", and he had two assistants, namely "Lucky" and "Receiving Heaven". Therefore, in folk New Year pictures, there are often people who are elegant and uncommon, with white faces and beards, holding "Ruyi" in their left hand and "cornucopia" in their right hand, and writing "Make a fortune", generally engaged in trading, stocks, banking and other work.

Five-way god of wealth-in folklore, there is also the saying of five-way god of wealth. Generally speaking, the five gods of wealth refer to Zhao Gongming and his four righteous brothers. Except Zhao Gongming in Wu Caishen, the other four roads are Xiao Sheng and Caishen in East Road, Cao Bao and Caishen in West Road, Chen Jiugong, the messenger of Caishen in South Road, and Xianyao Shaosi and Caishen in North Road. This may be influenced by the concept of five elements. As the world is so big, treasures should be handled in different regions. Worship the five gods of wealth is to gather the wealth of the five parties in China.

In addition, there is also a saying that martial arts, righteousness, the god of wealth, and the partial five-way god of wealth. Except Bigan, Caishen, Zhao Gongming No.2 Road and Wu Caishen, Guan Gong was regarded as the righteous Caishen because of his seal and gold seal, which was obviously different from Wu Caishen. In the early Ming Dynasty, Shen Wansan, a very rich man, was regarded as the God of Wealth. Su Fulu, the first overseas Chinese to do business in Southeast Asia, was called "Uncle Gong" and "Lu Gong". Due to the advantages of opening up the territory, Su Fulu is regarded as a partial god of wealth whose work is "partial" to wealth, and does not specifically take money through the back door. Therefore, the five ways of literature, martial arts, righteousness, wealth and partiality can all be regarded as the gods of true wealth.

The origin of welcoming the god of wealth

The custom of "welcoming the god of wealth" prevailed in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China, and it is still popular among the people. "God of Wealth" refers to Zhao Gongming. Because it has four little gods: Zhao Baotian Zun, Nadian Zhenzun, Lucky Messenger and Lishi Xian Guan. He became the object of worship of those who hoped to get rich. According to legend, Zhao Gongming is often lazy and indifferent. He only goes to Tan Xuan once a year on the fifth day of the first month. He is random and can't decide which one to go to. Therefore, in the old society, people set off firecrackers, burned incense and sacrificed, and rushed to meet him in front. In the past, most shops took annual leave after the business ended on New Year's Eve, and didn't open until the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, which was called the opening price.

In addition, I learned that this deity's birthday was on July 22nd of the lunar calendar, so instead of making a scene on the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, I quietly held a ceremony on the "God of Wealth's Birthday", expecting him to come in through the back door and enjoy the happiness. According to Taoist legend, Zhao Gongming, the god of wealth, was born on March 15 (also known as the second day of the first month). On his birthday, more Taoist priests went to the Taoist temple to worship the god of wealth, praying for a bumper harvest of grains and rich financial resources.

In addition to "welcoming the God of Wealth", there is a custom of "sending the God of Wealth" in some places. There is only one god of wealth, and the four subordinates add up to only a slap in the face. However, so many people want to get rich. Obviously, the supply is in short supply, so some people take the initiative to balance the contradiction between supply and demand, resulting in a new custom-"sending the god of wealth." On the fifth day of the fifth lunar month, poor beggars in groups of three or five put on masks and dressed up as the god of wealth, which is called "sending the god of wealth" or "jumping the god of wealth". According to the regulations, you must pay money on the spot as a reward, otherwise you will make trouble in front of your house or shop. The poor pretend to be the living God of Wealth and rob the God of Wealth and send it away. This satirical street farce adds a lot of extra interest to the muddleheaded custom of welcoming the god of wealth. In recent years, it is rare to see the scene of "sending the god of wealth" jumping in groups.

Zhao Gongming

The origin and function of Wu Caishen: The God of Wealth is divided into Wen God and Wu Caishen. Nowadays, the God of Wealth in the Taoist Temple is mostly black-faced and bearded, riding a Hei Hu, holding a silver whip in one hand and an ingot in the other, all in uniform. The statue of God of Wealth should be Wu Caishen, that is, Marshal Zhao Gong. Marshal Zhao Gong, namely Zhao Gongming and Zhao Xuantan. Zhao Gongming's miracles were found in Sou Shen Ji and Zhen Xin Ji in Wei, Jin, Southern and Northern Dynasties, but they were just buried things, or plagues. At the end of Yuan Dynasty and the beginning of Ming Dynasty, Zhao Gongming's miracles were completely recorded. Marshal Zhao Gong, whose real names are Zhao Minglang and Xuan Lang, is from Zhong Nanshan. It was once one of the essences of Japan. In ancient times, there were nine days in the sky. After being shot down by Houyi on the ninth day, it became nine birds and landed on Qingcheng Mountain, becoming the king of nine ghosts. Eight ghosts are all villains, but Zhao is alone, hiding in Shu to practice Taoism. When he was in Qingcheng Mountain, Zhao was taken to the Dan room to guard. Shi Tian Dan Cheng, divided into Dan bait, can become severe. After eating Dan, Zhao looks like a heavenly teacher. Shi Tian ordered him to stay in Tan Xuan forever, so he was named Marshal Tan Xuan. The "Three Religions Searching for God" claims that it can "drive away thunder and electricity, call for rain, eliminate epidemics and malaria, and protect diseases and disasters", and that "if the lawsuit is prolonged, the public can explain it, buy and sell it fairly, seek wealth, and the public can make it favorable and harmonious. But if there is something fair, you can pray to God, and nothing is perfect. " In the novel Romance of the Gods in the Ming Dynasty, there is a section about the deity of Jiang Ziya, and named Zhao Gongming as the real king of dragons and tigers, Tan Xuan, who led Zhao Bao, the deity, the lucky messenger and took charge of all the treasures in the world. In addition to Marshal Zhao Gong, some people regard Guandi and Wu He Road, who died in Wuxi Imperial City in the Ming Dynasty, as Wu Caishen.

Sacrifice: In the old days, the birthday of Zhao Gongming, the God of Wealth, was called March 15th (also called the second day of the first month). On this birthday, more Taoists went to the Taoist temple to worship the God of Wealth, praying for the prosperity of the five treasures and the rolling financial resources. However, according to folklore, the fifth day of the first month is the day when the God of Wealth came down to inspect the world. Therefore, people set off firecrackers and dance lions in the early morning of the fifth day, commonly known as "receiving the god of wealth", praying for the opening of the market and the rolling of financial resources after the Spring Festival.