The Ultimate Guide to Arranging the Altar for the Gods of Wealth and Prosperity This Lunar New Year

Introducing the age-old Vietnamese tradition of worshipping the Gods of Wealth and the Earth - Thần Tài and Ông Địa. This practice is deeply ingrained in the cultural fabric of Vietnam, but do we truly know the correct way to set up an altar to invite prosperity and good fortune? Join us as we delve into the expert-guided journey of discovering the proper methods to arrange a sacred space for these revered deities, unlocking the secrets to attracting wealth and abundance.

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God of Earth brings luck, governs fortune and happiness among people. Therefore, the altar of the Earth God is often found in every household, especially in business and trading families.

In legend, the God of Wealth is a god in charge of money and fortune in heaven. Once, he fell to earth while drunk, hit his head on a rock, and forgot who he was. He wandered around begging for food, and strangely, the places he visited prospered. People then set up an altar to honor him, and when he regained his memory and flew back to heaven, they continued to worship him.

When mentioning the God of Wealth, we must also talk about the Earth God, who governs the land and has the power to drive away evil forces and turn bad omens into good ones. Thus, the two gods are worshipped together as people believe that fertile land brings prosperity, and with the heavens above and the earth below, everything will be complete.

Below are some tips on how to set up an altar for these gods to bring luck and fortune.

Altar of the Earth God and the God of Wealth

1Decorations for the Altar of the Earth God and the God of Wealth

First of all, to set up an altar that attracts fortune, you need to have the essential items that create a proper, solemn, and elegant altar. Let’s take a look at what an altar should include!

Altar Table for the Earth God and the God of Wealth

You should get a large, beautiful, and high-quality altar table so that you can easily place decorations on it without worrying about running out of space.

Statues of the Earth God and the God of Wealth

Choose statues that are proportional to your altar table so that they look harmonious and aesthetically pleasing.

Statues of the Earth God and the God of Wealth

Spirit Tablet

The spirit tablet on the altar will bless everyone in your household with good health and peace, and protect them from misfortune.

Spirit Tablet for the God of Wealth and the Earth God

Incense Burner, Vase, and Plate

These include an incense burner, a vase for flowers, and a plate for offerings such as five cups of wine, a plate of fruit, three bowls of rice, and a bowl of water.

Wealth-Attracting Lamp

The wealth-attracting lamp on the altar will help attract fortune, accumulate wealth, and bring good energy to the family for prosperous business.

Wealth-Attracting Lamp and Wealth-Attracting Tree at the Altar of the God of Wealth and the Earth God

Wealth-Attracting Tree

When placed on the altar, the wealth-attracting tree will bring financial and energetic prosperity to your family.

Money Toad

This is a popular feng shui animal that is believed to bring money into the household. The money toad is usually depicted with a coin in its mouth, facing into the house at night to symbolize bringing money into the home.

See also: 

Money Toad at the Altar of the God of Wealth and the Earth God

Pi Yao

Pi Yao is a very sensitive creature to gold, silver, and jewels. Wherever there is a Pi Yao, it will help guard and preserve wealth, bringing greater prosperity and wealth to the family.

Pi Yao at the Altar of the God of Wealth and the Earth God

Buddha

Placing a Buddha statue on the Earth God’s altar will help supervise and prevent other gods from doing wrong. It will also transform the energy entering the house into positive energy, bringing fortune and happiness to the family.

Buddha Statue at the Altar of the Earth God and the God of Wealth

See also:  2024 is the year of the Green Wood Dragon. What should you buy on the God of Wealth’s Day?

2How to Set Up the Altar of the Earth God and the God of Wealth Properly to Attract Fortune

How to Set Up the Altar of the Earth God and the God of Wealth Properly

Here is how to arrange the altar properly to attract fortune and luck for your family members.

– Spirit Tablet: Place it at the back of the altar, leaning against the wall.

– Statues of the Earth God and the God of Wealth: Place the God of Wealth on your left and the Earth God on your right. If you also worship the God of Money, place him in between the God of Wealth and the Earth God. Or, if you don’t worship Buddha, you can place his statue on top of the altar.

– Three Bowls of Salt, Rice, and Water: Place them between the God of Wealth and the Earth God.

– Incense Burner: Place it in the center of the altar, and once placed, do not move it, as feng shui masters believe that moving the incense burner will bring bad luck to the descendants.

– Flower Vase: Place it on the right side of the altar, and remember to replace wilted flowers. Some recommended flowers include lilies, chrysanthemums, cockscomb, and carnations.

How to Set Up the Altar of the Earth God and the God of Wealth to Attract Fortune

– Water Bowl: Sprinkle fresh flower petals on the water and place the bowl on the floor in front of the altar.

– Money Toad Statue: Place it on the left side of the altar, turning it toward the door in the morning so it can go out to bring money and luck to your family, and turning it back inside in the evening to guard your wealth.

– Fruit Plate: Place it on the left side of the altar, and if you have a Pi Yao statue, place it in front of the altar.

You can also decorate your altar with wealth-attracting lamps and trees, gold bars, or coins to symbolize your wish for continuous financial abundance. This will also make the space more elegant and luxurious.

3Things to Note When Worshipping the God of Wealth and the Earth God

Do not use a wet cloth to clean the altar, as the Earth God symbolizes fire in feng shui, and fire is incompatible with water.

Keep the altar area clean and well-ventilated, with a clear view of people entering and leaving the house or business.

Do not use a wet cloth to clean the altar

Do not place the altar facing sharp objects, mirrors, or unclean places.

– If your altar or decorations are made of ceramic or porcelain, use water with pomelo or ginger to clean them for purification.

Worshipping the God of Wealth and the Earth God will bring you good fortune and luck if you set up the altar correctly. Take notes and get ready to welcome wealth into your home!

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Frequently asked questions

The altar arrangement is a significant aspect of welcoming the Lunar New Year. To create a prosperous and auspicious atmosphere, follow these steps: cleanse and prepare your altar space, focusing on the energy you wish to invite; place a pair of Golden Lions on the altar, symbolizing power and protection; add a trio of lucky cats, representing prosperity and good fortune; include a wealth vase filled with symbolic items like crystals, coins, and affirmations; and finally, decorate with fresh flowers and fruits, offering gratitude and respect to the Gods of Wealth and Prosperity.

The Golden Lions, often referred to as Fu Dogs, are powerful symbols of protection and guardians of wealth. Their presence on the altar wards off negative energy and invites prosperity. Similarly, the lucky cats, or Maneki Neko, are believed to attract good luck and fortune. Together, these symbolic figures create a powerful energy field that amplifies the auspiciousness of your altar arrangement.

The wealth vase is a potent tool for manifesting abundance. To enhance its power, fill it with carefully selected symbolic items. Crystals like citrine and pyrite are known for their wealth-attracting properties. Adding coins, preferably in gold or silver, further amplifies the energy of prosperity. You can also include written affirmations or intentions, stating your desires for wealth and success. Seal the vase with a lid or a beautiful cloth, and place it on your altar to radiate its energy throughout the Lunar New Year.

Yes, certain flowers and fruits are believed to be especially auspicious. Orchids, peonies, and lotus flowers are considered fortunate and symbolize prosperity, abundance, and purity. As for fruits, citrus fruits like oranges and tangerines are traditional choices, representing good luck and wealth. Dragon fruit, with its vibrant color and unique shape, is also believed to attract prosperity and blessings. Fresh and vibrant offerings show respect and honor to the Gods, enhancing the positive energy of your altar.

Absolutely! Personalizing your altar to resonate with your beliefs and intentions is essential. You can include other symbolic items like Chinese ingots, wealth ships, or auspicious charms. Decorative items such as red envelopes, Chinese knots, or lanterns can also be incorporated to enhance the festive and prosperous atmosphere. Trust your intuition and choose items that hold special meaning for you, as the energy and intention behind your altar arrangement are the most important factors.