Top 9 Superstitions to Avoid on the Day of the God of Wealth According to Folk Wisdom

Arranging the God of Wealth altar should follow specific principles, not done carelessly or too haphazardly.

Offering prayers is a reflection of true devotion; if one lacks sincere faith, it is best to refrain from making offerings. Once you choose to offer, ensure you avoid violating any taboos.

Devotion in worship comes from the heart; if the heart is not sincere, no matter how much you pray, the offerings will not be blessed, and the gods and Buddhas will not witness them. During the God of Wealth ritual, household members should avoid causing trouble, arguing, fighting, or scolding one another. Disruptions in the family will lead to divine retribution.

While performing the ritual, refrain from using harsh language or insulting others, as it may anger the gods and result in misfortune, causing business failure and financial losses.

Things to do on the annual Day of the God of Wealth

For the God of Wealth offering, avoid using artificial flowers; it’s better to purchase fresh flowers with buds and a pleasant fragrance. Similarly, do not use plastic or inedible artificial fruits. It is ideal to offer fresh, delicious fruits such as apples, pears, bananas, oranges, and tangerines to the God of Wealth.

Many people who perform the ritual at home often place the offerings outside the door, in the yard, or on the balcony. In reality, performing the ritual outside is considered unfavorable. It is best to set the offerings inside the home.

Another important note is that business owners should conduct the God of Wealth ritual at their business location, not in a temple. Non-business individuals can perform the ritual either at home or in a temple, as the "Earth God" worshipped at home also carries the function of the God of Wealth.

According to ancient traditions, for any ritual, not just the God of Wealth ritual, one must maintain a sincere heart and dress properly—neat, clean, and tidy. This shows respect towards the deities.

The host should never wear torn or ragged clothes during the ritual, nor should they wear sloppy or untidy attire. While the quality of clothing may depend on the family's financial situation, it’s important to choose the best outfit available for the ritual. Clothing that is revealing or inappropriate should never be worn in front of the gods.

Many families have the habit of sharing the blessings or offerings after completing the God of Wealth ritual. However, this is a taboo on this special day. It is believed that sharing the blessings with people outside of your family will cause the wealth to leave your household.

After the ritual, the rice and salt offerings should be stored away. As for the water, it should be thrown from the outside to the inside of the house, symbolizing that wealth should only enter the house and never leave, ensuring the family’s prosperity remains intact.

In the practice of worship, a major taboo is placing the altar in an unclean area. If the host is not careful and sets the altar near the bathroom, kitchen, or laundry area, it could result in the deities’ disapproval, preventing the family from receiving favorable wealth and prosperity. If the home is small and space is limited, the cleanest and most respectful spot in the house should be chosen for the altar, and the deities should be asked for forgiveness.

The host should also remember that maintaining a clean altar is essential. Never place trash bins or clutter near the altar, as this is forbidden in any form of worship.

Over time, ritual objects have evolved to suit the modern age, but one important taboo to observe is not using flashing lights or electric bulbs in place of oil lamps or candles.

It is believed that using electric lights or flashing lights can create negative energies that affect the ritual, so caution should be exercised.

What should be avoided on the God of Wealth's day? Just like at the end of the year when the ancestor's altar is cleaned, before the God of Wealth's day, the host should also wash the statues of the Earth God and the God of Wealth, as well as clean the altar to ensure everything is tidy.

Before performing the rituals for the God of Wealth's day, the altar and the statues should be thoroughly cleaned, as this helps the deities recognize the host's sincere devotion.

Furthermore, the altar should be regularly cleaned and maintained. It is best to clean it weekly or monthly rather than waiting for major ceremonies. Any items placed on the altar should not accumulate dust, as this is considered a taboo for anyone who wishes to conduct worship at home.