The difference between the Wen Caishen and the Wu Caishen~ What are the differences in appearance, and what are the specific placement and taboos?
Overview of Taoist titles: Bigan, the god of the country, bestowed the title "Heavenly Official, Wencaizunsun"; the three official emperors are Tianguan, Diguan and Shuiguan, also known as "Three Officials". "Sanyuan" is an earlier deity worshiped by Taoism. The title given is: the official of heaven bestows blessings, the official of earth pardons sins, the official of water relieves misfortune; the God King Qing of longevity bestows the title of official blessing on heaven. The Taoist conferment is not called the God of Wealth, but the deity is added to the official position.
Introduction
Folk belief: The God of Wealth is a god in charge of wealth commonly worshiped by Chinese people.
The God of Wealth is a Taoist secular god. There are many different versions among the people. Zhao Gongming, the Moon God of Wealth, is regarded as the true God of Wealth. Qingdi, the sun god of spring, and Zhao Gongming, the moon god of wealth, are collectively called "Spring Blessings". The two gods of the sun and moon are often posted on the door during the New Year.
According to legend, the Moon God of Wealth’s surname was Zhao Gongming, also known as Marshal Zhao Gong and Zhao Xuantan. He was a person from Zhaodai Village in Zhouzhi County, Chang’an (now Xi’an). In "Zhen Gao", Zhao Gongming is one of the five gods, that is, the god of the underworld. Later, in Taoist mythology, he became the patron saint of Zhang Ling's elixir cultivation. The Jade Emperor awarded him the title of Marshal of Zhengyi Xuantan. Therefore, he is regarded as the God of Wealth by the people. It looks like a black face with thick beard, wearing an iron crown on its head, holding an iron whip in its hand, and standing astride a black tiger, so it is also called the Black Tiger Mysterious Altar. The god of wealth worshiped by Chinese people.
However, books from the Tang and Song Dynasties and before, such as Qianbao's "Sou Shen Ji", "Zhen Gao", "Tai Shang Dong Yuan Shen Curse Sutra", etc., are all regarded as one of the five plagues (see "Plague God" in this volume) 》). It wasn't until the Yuan Dynasty and the Ming Dynasty's "Dao Zang·Sou Shen Ji" and "Three Religions Sou Shen Encyclopedia" which were slightly edited in the Ming Dynasty that he was called the God of Wealth. Volume 3 of "The Encyclopedia of Searching Gods of Three Religions" says: "Marshal Zhao, surnamed Zhao Tao Gongming, was born in Zhong (end) Nanshan. He took refuge in the mountains during the Qin Dynasty and practiced Taoism intensively. Later, in Taoist mythology, he became Zhang Ling's elixir practitioner. The patron saint, the Jade Emperor granted him the title of Marshal of Zhengyi Xuantan, and became the god of rewards, punishments, lawsuits, protection from illness and disasters, and the pursuit of wealth through business, so he is regarded by the people as the god of wealth with a black face and thick beard. , wearing an iron crown on his head, holding an iron whip in his hand, and standing astride a black tiger, so he was buried under the Zhaodai Village at the foot of Zhongnan Mountain and was divided into assistants. Caibo Xingjun and Fuyou Fan Li are the gods of wealth in the text [Edit this paragraph] Folk customs There are many folk legends about the god of wealth:
The first statement:
Cai Jing in the Song Dynasty was rich, and folklore said. He was born as the God of Wealth. He happened to be born on the fifth day of the first lunar month, so the people worshiped him as the God of Wealth. Later, Cai Jing was demoted and the people replaced him with the God of Wealth. At that time, the national surname of the Song Dynasty was Zhao, and the character Xuan was "Lan". Therefore, the God of Wealth was given the name Zhao Xuantan to worship.
The second statement:
Who is the "God of Wealth"? , the God of Wealth's surname is Zhao and his name is Gongming. He originally practiced Taoism in Luofu Cave in Mount Emei. After his death, he was named "The God of the True Monarch of the Golden Dragon Ruyi Zhengyi Dragon and Tiger Xuantan" because he helped Zhou attack King Wu, and he also commanded the "Tianzun of Zhaobao" and "Zhou Bao Tianzun". There are four subordinates: "Nazhen Tianzun", "Wealth Envoy" and "Benefit Immortal Official". Their responsibilities are all related to wealth. The God of Wealth worshiped by Taoism is also Zhao Gongming. According to Taoist legends, Zhao Gongming was originally from Zhongnan Mountain. Since the Qin Dynasty, he has lived in seclusion in the mountains and practiced Taoism. After his achievements, the Jade Emperor named him "Marshal of Zhengyi Xuantan", referred to as "Zhao Xuantan", the god of wealth worshiped by the old God of Wealth Temple and every household. He has a fierce appearance, a black face and thick beard, with angry round eyes, wearing an iron crown on his head, holding a steel whip in one hand, and a gold ingot in the other. There is a black tiger under his body, so it is also known as the "Black Tiger Mysterious Altar". The commander-in-chief of Zhao Gong was responsible for eradicating plagues, driving away diseases and redressing disasters. He would uphold justice when there were grievances that could not be redressed, and he could make people profit from their business. His original role was not that of a full-time God of Wealth. But if there is no one else who can replace him, the people regard him as the God of Wealth. In the past, the God of Wealth was divided into civil and military gods. People who believed in literature and martial arts had their own affairs. Worship the God of Wealth. Although the ways of civil and military affairs are different, they all have their own fortunes.
On the fifth day of the lunar month, the God of Wealth is worshiped. Many shops and residences enshrine his woodblock-printed statues: The mysterious altar looks like the bottom of a pot, with a steel whip in hand and a black tiger riding on its body, which is extremely powerful.
In addition to Zhao Xuantan being revered as the "Right God of Wealth", there are also folk sayings as the "Partial God of Wealth" Wuxian God of Wealth, the "Wen God of Wealth" Caibo Xingjun and the "Martial God of Wealth" Guan Shengdijun.
The belief in the Five-Hand God of Wealth is popular in the Luyuan area of Dexing, Jiangxi. The first character of the title of the five brothers is "Xian", so they are called "Five-Xian God of Wealth". He robbed the rich and gave to the poor while he was alive, but after his death he still punished evil and promoted good, and protected the poor. There is the Five-Hand God of Wealth Temple outside Andingmen in Beijing.
The "God of Wealth and Wealth", Cai Bo Xingjun, is also known as the "God of Fortune and Wealth". His portraits are often listed with the three stars of "Fu", "Lu", "Shou" and the God of Joy. For blessing, wealth, longevity, wealth and happiness. Caibo Xingjun has a white face and long hair, and holds a treasure basin in his hand. This is where the four words "attracting wealth and treasure" come from. Most people will hang this picture in the main hall during the Spring Festival to pray for wealth and good fortune.
The "Martial God of Wealth" Guan Sheng Emperor is Guan Yu and Guan Yunchang. Legend has it that Guan Yun was in charge of military stations. He was good at calculations and found out how to make money every day. He was also trustworthy and high-spirited, so he was worshiped by merchants. Most merchants regard Guan Gong as their patron saint. Guan Gong is also regarded as a person who attracts wealth. God of Wealth.
According to the third statement:
On the fifth day of the first lunar month, all shops open for business. Early in the morning, gongs, firecrackers and food are prepared to welcome the God of Wealth. Gu Tieqing of the Qing Dynasty quoted a poem about bamboo branches by Cai Yun in "Qing Jia Lu", which describes the situation of Suzhou people welcoming the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year: "Five days for wealth, five days for five days, one year's wish will be rewarded in one hour; beware of other places to welcome God early, overnight Hurriedly hugging the road." "Bao Lutou" also means "welcoming the God of Wealth". Merchants who believe in the Holy Lord Guan will offer sacrifices to Guan Gong on the fifth day of the first lunar month, set off firecrackers, and burn gold paper to worship him, hoping that the Holy Lord Guan will bless him with good fortune for the year.
The custom of "receiving the God of Wealth" on the fifth day of the first lunar month was popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties and the Republic of China. It is still spread among the people. The only "god of wealth" is the so-called Marshal Zhao Gong, who is said to have practiced Taoism and became an immortal as early as the Yin and Shang Dynasties. Jiang Ziya assisted King Wu of Zhou in defeating Zhou. He ran down to Zhongnan Mountain to meddle in other affairs and stood on the side of Shang Zhou to fight against the righteous army. Unfortunately, he was killed in battle. A wandering spirit was consecrated as the true god specializing in welcoming blessings and auspiciousness. Under his command were the Heavenly Lord of Zhaobao and the Heavenly Lord of Nazhen. There are four small gods at his disposal: the messenger of wealth and the immortal official of the city. Thanks to this team that attracts wealth, Marshal Zhao Gong became the object of admiration and worship for those who wanted to get rich. It may be said that he is lazy and indifferent. He only walks down the Longhu Xuan Altar once a year on the fifth day of the first lunar month, and he does so casually. He is not sure which house he is going to, so everyone sets off firecrackers and burns incense and sacrifices early on this day. , Yin went ahead to greet him. However, some people also found out that this god’s birthday was on the 22nd day of the seventh lunar month, so instead of trying to make a fuss on the fifth day of the lunar month, they secretly prepared a grand ceremony on the “God of Wealth’s Birthday” in the hope that he would sneak out through the back door. Come in and enjoy. Nowadays, we can often see some merchants and restaurants setting up large or small "God of Wealth Niches" in their shops. On weekdays, electronic incense and candles are turned on and off, but suddenly on this day, four dishes and one soup are quietly put on the table. Proof of having the information.
There is only one God of Wealth, and the four subordinates only make up the number. However, there are so many people who want to get rich. It is obvious that supply exceeds demand, so some people take the initiative to balance the contradiction between supply and demand. , which led to the creation of a new custom painting - "Sending the God of Wealth". On every fifth day of the Lunar New Year, poor and beggars gather in groups, wear masks, and dress up as the God of Wealth's team, known as "Send the God of Wealth", also called "Dance the God of Wealth". The host must usually give you coins as reward on the spot, otherwise he will make a lot of noise in front of your house or shop, only making the onlookers laugh. It is better to spend a little money and send these "living gods of wealth" away quickly. The pauper pretends to be the God of Wealth, robbing the God of Wealth and giving him away. This is a street farce full of irony, but the confusing custom of welcoming the God of Wealth adds a lot of extra interest. In recent years, the scene of people jumping in groups to "send the God of Wealth" has disappeared. Instead, people act alone - quietly walking to the door, taking a red paper God of Wealth statue with a sticker on the back and sticking it on the door panel. Then he stretched out his hand to ask for money, seeing that it was time to change customs and introduce new things.
It is said that the God of Wealth is worshiped by wealthy people, and if people without money worship it, it will not bring about magical effects. There is a folk story about "the God of Wealth Bodhisattva divorced his wife": In the past, the God of Wealth in the Temple of Wealth was always accompanied by a dignified and beautiful Goddess of Wealth. Later, this kind-hearted female Bodhisattva suddenly disappeared. It turned out that she was divorced by the God of Wealth. Why did the God of Wealth divorce his wife? It starts with a beggar.
There was a beggar who was so poor that he had nowhere to go. He passed by an ancient temple to beg for food. After entering the temple, he didn't worship any Bodhisattvas. He just touched the statue of the God of Wealth, bowed his head and prayed to the God of Wealth for wealth. When Marshal Zhao Gong saw that he was a beggar, he thought that he would even light incense and candles, why would he come here to ask for money? There are so many poor beggars in the world, can I help them? But the beggar thinks exactly the opposite. He thinks that the God of Wealth will always help the poor. The rich have no worries about food and clothing, so what is the use of asking for money? Then he kept praying. At this time, the God of Wealth Queen felt compassion and wanted to wake up her dozing husband, the God of Wealth, and persuade him to be kind and give some charity to the beggar. But the God of Wealth ignored him, yawned twice and closed his eyes. Although she is the Goddess of Wealth, the power of wealth is in the hands of her husband. If the husband doesn’t nod, how can he bestow money to the beggar? The empress had no choice but to take off her earrings and throw them to the beggar. The beggar suddenly felt something dropped on the shrine. When he saw it was a pair of gold earrings, he knew they were given by the God of Wealth. He kowtowed hurriedly and repeatedly shouted "Kowtow to the God of Wealth Bodhisattva". When the God of Wealth opened his eyes, he found that the Empress had actually given the love gift he had given her to the poor beggar. He was so angry that he drove the God of Wealth out of the shrine. Since then, for hundreds of years, no poor person has become rich by worshiping the God of Wealth.