Caishen

Caishen
Traditional Chinese財神
Simplified Chinese财神
Literal meaning"God of Wealth"
Transcriptions
Standard Mandarin
Hanyu PinyinCáishén
Wade–GilesTs'ai2-shen2
IPA[tsʰǎɪ.ʂə̌n]
Yue: Cantonese
Yale RomanizationChòih-sàhn
JyutpingCoi4-san4
IPA[tsʰɔj˩ sɐn˩]
Caishen Statue at Gardens by the Bay
Caishen statue at Singapore's Gardens by the Bay to welcome Lunar New Year 2024.

Caishen (traditional Chinese: 財神; simplified Chinese: 财神; lit. 'God of Wealth') is the mythological figure worshipped in the Chinese folk religion and Taoism. He has been identified with many historical figures, viewed as his embodied forms, among whom Zhao Gongming (趙公明, Wade–Giles: Chao Kung-ming; also known as Zhao Gong Yuanshuai 趙公元帥 "Lord Zhao the Marshal"), Fan Li, and Bi Gan.[1] A large temple of Caishen was built in the 2000s in Zhouzhi, Xi'an, Shaanxi.

Caishen's name is often invoked during the Chinese New Year celebrations.[1] He is often depicted riding a black tiger and holding a golden rod. He may also be depicted with an iron tool capable of turning stone and iron into gold.

  1. ^ a b "Caishen | God of Wealth, Fortune, Prosperity | Britannica". Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved 2023-11-27.