The correct way to welcome the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the first lunar month The origin of welcoming the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the first lunar month

Many places have the custom of welcoming the God of Wealth during the New Year, but the time may be different. Generally speaking, most areas will welcome the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the first lunar month. What is the correct way to welcome the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the first lunar month? What is the origin of welcoming the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the first lunar month?

The correct way to welcome the God of Wealth on the fifth day of the first lunar month

1. At 1:15 p.m. on the fourth day of the Lunar New Year (i.e. Dingchou hour on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year), place an Eight Immortals table or a Heaven and Earth table at the entrance of the shrine or living room in your home, and place clean small plates on the table. Put red paper on the plates, and put candies on the red paper.
2. A pair of large red candles should be lit in front of the table, and a pair of shiny "gold ingots" should be hung on them. The statue of the God of Wealth should be placed in front. At the same time, fresh big carp, roast pork, rooster, as well as god of wealth cake, auspicious cake, crispy candy, number one scholar cake and five fruits are placed on the table.
3. On both sides of the table there is a row of cups filled with rice wine and a handful of chopsticks. Then worship the God of Wealth in front of the open door.
4. When the incense and candles are half burned, walk out of the door and walk thirty-six steps to the east. First, face the east (symbolizing the purple air coming from the east), clasp your hands together and salute sincerely, and then bow to the west.
5. Silently pray in your heart to invite the God of Wealth to go home with you, then walk slowly back home and pray the following mantra devoutly in front of the altar to receive the God of Wealth: "My mood is as hot as fire, and the auspicious time to receive the God of Wealth is as red as red; I wish you a prosperous future, and I wish you a prosperous future, and I wish you a spring breeze with abundant wealth."
6. After reciting, burn the gold ingots and paper money in the incense burner (never burn them on the ground). Extinguish the candles, put away the offerings and incense burner, and close the door, and the ceremony of welcoming the God of Wealth is completed.

The Origin of Welcoming the God of Wealth on the Fifth Day of the First Lunar Month

The custom of "welcoming 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, and is still popular among the people today. The "God of Wealth" that comes next is mostly Zhao Gongming. Because he has four minor gods under his command, namely, the God of Attracting Treasures, the God of Accepting Treasures, the Messenger of Attracting Wealth, and the Fairy of Profit at his disposal. Thanks to this team that brings in wealth and fortune, he became an object of worship and veneration by those who hoped to get rich. According to legend, Zhao Gongming was often lazy and indifferent. He would only come down from the Dragon and Tiger Altar once a year, on the fifth day of the first lunar month, and he would do so casually, not planning on which house to go to. Therefore, in the old days, families would get up early on this day to set off firecrackers, burn incense and offer sacrifices, in order to be the first to welcome him. In the old days, most shops would close for the New Year after finishing their business on New Year’s Eve, and would not open until the fifth day of the New Year when they welcomed the God of Wealth. This was called the opening day.