Fortune5 min read
The Five Wealth Gods & How to Welcome Them
Who are the Five Wealth Gods (五路财神)? When and how to welcome them for Chinese New Year and general prosperity activation.
The Five Wealth Gods (五路财神) are among the most venerated deities in Chinese folk religion for attracting prosperity. Each governs a different direction and type of wealth.
The Five Wealth Gods
| God | Direction | Governs |
|---|
| Zhao Gongming (赵公明) | Center | Overall wealth, military prosperity |
| Xiao Sheng (萧升) | East | Earned income, salary, wages |
| Yin Jiao (曹宝/引蛟) | South | Windfall wealth, unexpected gains |
| Chen Jiu Gong (陈九公) | West | Business wealth, trade profits |
| Yao Shao Si (姚少司) | North | Investment wealth, passive income |
When to Welcome the Wealth Gods
The most important time is during Chinese New Year. The 5th day of the Lunar New Year (破五) is the traditional day to welcome the Wealth Gods. On this day:
- Clean your home thoroughly (especially the wealth corner)
- Open all doors and windows at dawn to invite the gods in
- Light incense (3 sticks) facing each of the five directions
- Offer fruits (oranges for gold, apples for peace, grapes for abundance)
- Light a lamp or candle in the wealth corner and let it burn for the day
Year-Round Activation
- Place a small image or statue of Zhao Gongming in your wealth corner (far left from front door)
- Keep a bowl of 5 fruits (representing the 5 gods) on your dining table or altar
- Burn 3 sticks of sandalwood incense every Friday (Friday is associated with wealth energy)
- The 5th day of every lunar month is a mini wealth day — light incense and express gratitude
Wealth God Altar Tips
- The altar should be at least waist height — never on the floor
- Keep it clean and dust-free
- Offer fresh water daily
- Don't place the altar in the bathroom, kitchen, or bedroom
- If you don't have a physical image, a simple red paper with "财" written in gold ink works