Caishen legends: the god of wealth in Chinese belief

From the HUANGJUI Design archive

The legend of civil Caishen 財神爺

In the legend, Jiang Taigong, responsible for appointing deities, senses danger facing Bi Gan, an upright minister serving the last Shang ruler, King Zhou. Zhou neglects government while devoted to drink and his consort Daji. Bi Gan’s warnings go unheard. Believing Daji to be a fox spirit, he has a fox-fur cloak made for the king, hoping to frighten her away; she instead plans revenge. One evening an old man appears outside Bi Gan’s home offering to sell a heart. Bi Gan argues that a person cannot live without this vital organ. The stranger answers that an unjust heart leads hands and feet into wrongdoing, whereas someone without a heart could act impartially. He shows a magical pill that would keep the remaining organs working. Bi Gan takes it to examine its unusual fragrance and feels energy through his body; looking up, he finds the man gone. The stranger was Jiang Taigong in disguise. Next morning palace guards summon Bi Gan because Daji claims an illness only his heart can cure. Zhou declares his consort’s life more valuable than a minister’s, even saying he would sacrifice a hundred ministers to save her. Bi Gan prepares his family for his death, remembers the pill, swallows it and goes to court. Asked for his heart, he gives a final warning that the king is under a demon’s influence and that a dynasty lasting 28 reigns will end. Zhou ignores him. Bi Gan stops the soldiers, asks for a knife and removes his own heart without bleeding, then silently leaves. Protected by the pill, he travels distributing money without choosing favourites and becomes civil Caishen. Meanwhile Zhao Gongming has attained great supernatural powers on Mount Emei but becomes cruel, serves Zhou and commits many wrongs. He commands a black tiger and possesses an iron whip, magical pearls and a dragon-binding rope. He imprisons Jiang Taigong in a ten-direction formation, nearly kills him and demands appointment as the sole god of wealth in exchange for release. Jiang says Bi Gan holds the office and proposes that Zhao first remove Bi Gan’s heart and kill him.

Zhao accepts, releases Jiang and sends his black tiger to bring back Bi Gan’s heart. Bi Gan is resting on a rock after distributing wealth when a storm rises and the tiger attacks. It claws his chest but cannot find a heart because he no longer has one. The angry tiger leaves: Jiang had tricked Zhao. Yet the claws disturb Bi Gan’s remaining organs, and the story says he becomes less impartial, giving generously to whoever he meets first. Rich people may therefore become richer while poor people struggle to provide offerings when he visits.

Although Zhao does not gain the exclusive office he wanted, Jiang honours his promise by granting four treasures—Zhaobao, Nazhen, Zhaocai and Lishi—associated with wealth and profitable trade. People consequently honour powerful Zhao as martial Caishen and former prime minister Bi Gan as civil Caishen.

The archive lists lunar observances: the first month’s 26th for opening the wealth treasury; martial Caishen’s birthday on the first month’s 2nd, or in some traditions the third month’s 15th; and civil Caishen’s on the seventh month’s 22nd. It associates child-deity and prince observances with the fourth month’s 8th, acknowledging possible variation. For Zhaocai Tongzi it mentions the first month’s 20th and ninth month’s 17th, with either or both observed.

The archive lists lunar observances: the first month’s 26th for opening the wealth treasury; martial Caishen’s birthday on the first month’s 2nd, or in some traditions the third month’s 15th; and civil Caishen’s on the seventh month’s 22nd. It associates child-deity and prince observances with the fourth month’s 8th, acknowledging possible variation. For Zhaocai Tongzi it mentions the first month’s 20th and ninth month’s 17th, with either or both observed.

The archive gives two devotional chants: the Mahayana tantric transliteration ‘Om Jambhala Jalen Nayen Svana’, and ‘Namo Bu Xing, Deng Jiu Gong Jiang Jun’ in its Chinese-style transliteration.

Caishen 財神爺 represents fortune and material prosperity. Auspicious wealth symbols are often exchanged as gifts at special occasions and displayed in shops, homes and offices.

In the tradition described, Caishen is honoured before other deities and associated with prosperity in good times and protection from poverty in difficult times. Devotees also seek protection and educational success for children abroad. The account distinguishes civil and martial forms. Martial Caishen, Zhao Gongming, is portrayed as a skilled general serving King Zhou, later appointed a deity by Jiang Taigong under heaven’s command. He appears as a stern middle-aged warrior in armour and a general’s helmet, carrying a staff and a full container of yuanbao, riding a tiger. Merchants associate him with successful trade and recovering debts. The archive also describes beliefs in disciplined, diligent staff, explaining his popularity in large companies, factories, the military, police and public offices that supervise many people.

In the tradition described, Caishen is honoured before other deities and associated with prosperity in good times and protection from poverty in difficult times. Devotees also seek protection and educational success for children abroad. The account distinguishes civil and martial forms. Martial Caishen, Zhao Gongming, is portrayed as a skilled general serving King Zhou, later appointed a deity by Jiang Taigong under heaven’s command. He appears as a stern middle-aged warrior in armour and a general’s helmet, carrying a staff and a full container of yuanbao, riding a tiger. Merchants associate him with successful trade and recovering debts. The archive also describes beliefs in disciplined, diligent staff, explaining his popularity in large companies, factories, the military, police and public offices that supervise many people.

Zhao Gongming 赵公明, Caishen 财神, heads the five wealth deities.

Xiao Sheng 萧升, Zhaobao Tian 招宝天, is associated with summoning treasures.

Cao Bao 曹宝, Nazhen Tian 纳珍天, is associated with gathering precious things.

Chen Jiugong 陈久公, Zhaocai Shizhe 招财使者, is associated with attracting wealth.

Yao Shaosi 姚少司, Lishi Xianguan 利市仙官, is associated with commerce.

In the tradition described, Caishen is honoured before other deities and associated with prosperity in good times and protection from poverty in difficult times. Devotees also seek protection and educational success for children abroad. The account distinguishes civil and martial forms. Martial Caishen, Zhao Gongming, is portrayed as a skilled general serving King Zhou, later appointed a deity by Jiang Taigong under heaven’s command. He appears as a stern middle-aged warrior in armour and a general’s helmet, carrying a staff and a full container of yuanbao, riding a tiger. Merchants associate him with successful trade and recovering debts. The archive also describes beliefs in disciplined, diligent staff, explaining his popularity in large companies, factories, the military, police and public offices that supervise many people.

Zhao Gongming 赵公明, Caishen 财神, heads the five wealth deities.

Xiao Sheng 萧升, Zhaobao Tian 招宝天, is associated with summoning treasures.

Cao Bao 曹宝, Nazhen Tian 纳珍天, is associated with gathering precious things.

Chen Jiugong 陈久公, Zhaocai Shizhe 招财使者, is associated with attracting wealth.

Yao Shaosi 姚少司, Lishi Xianguan 利市仙官, is associated with commerce.

The suggested prayer names oneself and everyone included, invites Caishen and the male, female and auspicious patron deities to receive the prepared offerings, and requests fortune, happiness and success for the family. Specific wishes may then be added.

A devotional Caishen chant is linked in the archive, with a traditional claim that listening attracts fortune: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1RisQC0mnG4