Why buy gold to seek wealth on the Day of the God of Wealth?

People often buy gold on the day of the God of Wealth, purchasing gold at the start of the year to wish for prosperity for their families. However, not everyone knows why gold is bought instead of other items.

The 10th day of the first lunar month each year is the day the God of Wealth ascends to heaven, so many people buy gold to pray for wealth in the year, hoping for a new year filled with luck and prosperous business.

The day of the God of Wealth in 2024 (Year of the Dragon) falls on the 10th of the first lunar month, which is Monday, February 19, 2024, in the Gregorian calendar.

There are many beliefs surrounding the day of the God of Wealth. According to ancient legend, Au Minh, a merchant passing by Thanh Thao Lake, encountered the Water God. The Water God bestowed upon Au Minh a person named Nhu Nguyen. Since Nhu Nguyen came to live in his house, Au Minh’s business flourished. However, for reasons unknown, during a festival, Au Minh struck Nhu Nguyen, causing them to flee in fear. Afterwards, Au Minh’s business declined. Observing this, many people set up altars to worship Nhu Nguyen.

Altar of the God of Wealth.

Another legend tells that the God of Wealth lived in the heavens, and on one occasion when he descended to earth, he became intoxicated and hit his head on a rock, causing him to forget who he was. When he woke up, people saw him wearing strange clothes and decided to sell them. The God of Wealth then wandered around begging. A shop selling chicken and duck invited him to eat, and from that day on, the shop became bustling with customers.

However, the shop owner noticed that the God of Wealth was not doing anything productive and was eating with his hands, so he asked him to leave. Since then, the shop saw a decline in customers and its business suffered. Many other business owners sought to invite the God of Wealth to their establishments. Eventually, he was taken to buy clothes. Fortunately, he returned to the shop where he had previously purchased the strange clothes. After dressing up, the God of Wealth flew back to the heavens. Thus, many people regard the 10th day of the first lunar month as the day the God of Wealth ascends to heaven.

It is also believed that the God of Wealth is akin to the Earth God (Thần Thổ Địa), the guardian deity of villages, governing land and blessing people and livestock within the village. When the Vietnamese went to clear land, they faced many difficulties, and the concept of deities formed as a spiritual support on their livelihood journey.

Buying Gold at the Beginning of the Year

According to traditional beliefs, on the 10th day of the first lunar month each year, especially families involved in business and trade, people typically buy offerings to worship the God of Wealth.

People buy gold on the day of the God of Wealth due to the belief that buying gold can bring prosperity throughout the year.

Many people even go to buy gold on the exact day the God of Wealth ascends to heaven to pray for good fortune and wealth for the entire year. Images of customers queuing in long lines to buy rings, gold bars, and jewelry are no longer rare. Some wait for hours, but everyone is cheerful, as the belief is that buying gold can bring prosperity throughout the year.

How to Buy Gold on the Day of the God of Wealth

What Type of Gold to Buy on the Day of the God of Wealth?

Gold is a type of asset that is valuable and symbolizes the wealth and fortune of its owner. On the Day of the God of Wealth, you can choose to buy plain gold rings without patterns or gold bars. You can also buy plain round gold rings that are pressed into sheets to ensure the gold’s quality, or opt for gold bars with the year’s zodiac symbol to pray for wealth and good fortune on this day.

What Time is Best to Buy Gold on the Day of the God of Wealth?

The choice of time to buy gold, which helps increase auspicious energy and fortune, is of great interest to many. Most shops open earlier than usual on this day. You can refer to the auspicious times for buying gold on the Day of the God of Wealth below:

Rat Hour: 11:00 PM – 12:00 AM.
Ox Hour: 1:00 AM – 3:00 AM.
Cat Hour: 5:00 AM – 7:00 AM.
Horse Hour: 11:00 AM – 1:00 PM.
Monkey Hour: 3:00 PM – 5:00 PM.
Rooster Hour: 5:00 PM – 7:00 PM.

How Much Gold to Buy on the Day of the God of Wealth?

According to popular belief, depending on the wishes for a prosperous and lucky year, you can choose the amount of gold to buy accordingly. However, on these days, gold prices may rise significantly, so it’s advisable to buy just enough to pray for luck according to tradition. You can refer to the amount of gold to buy based on your luck wishes below:

1 Gold Bar: Pray for Prosperity.
2 Gold Bars: Pray for Advancement.
5 Gold Bars: Pray for Wealth.

When buying gold on the Day of the God of Wealth, pay attention to choose a reputable store that ensures quality. Customers usually buy plain round rings of 0.5-2 gold bars, so it’s best to choose those that are pressed into sheets. If you buy plain round rings that are not pressed, it can be difficult to determine the quality. This is because unpressed plain rings are often made by small, unlicensed manufacturers that may not ensure the gold’s purity, also known as “young gold.”

For gold bars, you should request a financial receipt that clearly states the serial number of the gold bar, whether it’s 0.5 gold bars or 1 tael.

Business owners worshipping the God of Wealth should perform rituals at their business premises rather than at temples or pagodas. Those not in business can worship at home or at temples, as the “earth deity” worshipped at home also serves the function of the God of Wealth.

Forms of Saving

However, buying gold at the beginning of the year is not only a spiritual practice; it is also regarded as a form of saving by Vietnamese people.

In the mindset and habits of Vietnamese people, gold is still considered the safest investment and “money keeping” channel. Almost every family that is deemed financially stable has a few gold bars “tucked away” for emergencies.

Nowadays, with bank deposits still involving procedures, other investment channels requiring significant capital and being volatile, and foreign currencies not being familiar to everyone, gold remains the go-to option for Vietnamese when they want to save or set aside money.

Moreover, many people buy gold at the beginning of the year to help save and avoid wastefulness after the lavish spending during the Lunar New Year.

Taboos on the Day of the God of Wealth

Do not place the God of Wealth altar near unclean places such as bathrooms, kitchens, or clothes drying areas, as this will diminish its respect.
Our ancestors believed that using electric or blinking lights could generate negative energy; therefore, do not use blinking lights or electric lamps instead of candles or oil lamps.
Do not place the God of Wealth altar in walkways to maintain the dignity and elegance of the worship area.
Altar Direction: The God of Wealth altar should not face the Five Ghosts direction: Northeast and Southwest.
Attire of the Host on the Day of the God of Wealth: The host should wear formal and neat clothing when worshipping the God of Wealth, avoiding sloppy or torn clothes.
Words and Actions on the Day of the God of Wealth: On this day, refrain from causing fights or using foul language.
Sharing offerings from the God of Wealth with outsiders: Many families have the habit of sharing offerings after finishing the worship ceremony. However, this is one of the greatest taboos on the Day of the God of Wealth. Many believe that sharing offerings with outsiders means that luck and business opportunities will flow away from the family. Additionally, to preserve wealth for the family, after the ceremony, the host should store the rice and salt, and throw water from outside inwards, implying that wealth should only come into the house and not go out.
Cramming incense sticks together: In each incense bowl, the host should use a Seven Treasures packet. This will help preserve wealth from depleting. Note that hosts who often cram incense sticks or use the Seven Treasures packet incorrectly will cause the worship of the God of Wealth to lack vitality. This mistake can lead to business failure and perpetual poverty.
Do not stick a Chinese character label on the back of the God of Wealth statue: Many families neglect to label the back of the statue after acquiring the God of Wealth. This neglect renders the worship meaningless and lacking validation. Consequently, your family may not experience the desired fortune and wealth.
Lack of a mirror plaque: Setting up a God of Wealth altar aims to pray for wealth and prosperity. All items on the altar must be adequately prepared, especially the mirror plaque. If a family lacks this mirror plaque, it can lead to a depletion of wealth, financial loss, and inability to save any money.
Lack of a fortune bowl: A fortune bowl is made from transparent materials with a deep base, containing clean water and sprinkled with fresh flowers. If the God of Wealth altar lacks a fortune bowl, prosperity and good fortune will not come to your family.