Prosperity in your life begins with inviting the God of Wealth in the year of Fire Horse.

Ken Koh
1 day ago
3 min read

Receiving the God of Wealth (财神) is one of the most vibrant and anticipated traditions of the Lunar New Year.

It blends ancient folklore with a modern desire for prosperity, acting as a spiritual "reset" for a family’s financial luck.

1. The Cultural Significance

The God of Wealth is not just a single deity but a group of celestial figures believed to govern the distribution of worldly riches, blessings of good health and the opportunities to connect to characters of nobility.

The Ritual: Usually performed on the first day of the Lunar New Year (between 30 minutes past midnight and 1.00 am of 17th February 2026) or the fifth day (between 30 minutes past midnight and 1.00 am of 21st February 2026). The fifth day of the Lunar New Year celebrations being the birthday of the God of Wealth.
The Psychology: Beyond luck, the practice serves to align the family’s intentions. It fosters a mindset of gratitude and readiness to work hard and receive rewards in the coming year.

2. Preparation-Setting the Stage

Preparation is as important as the ritual itself. It signals to the deity that the household is orderly and ready for "abundance."

Spring Cleaning: The house must be spotless. Dirt and clutter are seen as "negative Qi" that prevents wealth from entering.
The Altar: A temporary altar is set up, often facing a specific direction. In Feng Shui, the "Wealth Direction" changes annually based on the zodiac.
The Offerings:
- Sweetness: New Year's Cake （年糕） (sticky rice cake), candies, and fruits (pineapples, oranges, persimmons, pears) to ensure a sweet year.
- Abundance: Three or five types of meat (though many prefer vegetarian offerings to show mercy).
- Tea & Wine: Usually served in three small cups. Rice wine or red wine can be served.
- Joss Paper: Specifically "Gold" paper to symbolize celestial currency.

3. Step-by-Step Process to Receive the Deity

While traditions vary by region, most households follow these core steps:

Step	Action	Significance
1. The Timing	Perform the ritual during the "Golden Hour" (usually between 11 PM on New Year's Eve and 1 AM on the First Day).	Captures the transition of energy from the old year to the new.
2. The Invitation	Open all doors and windows. The head of the household lights incense and faces the year's designated Wealth Direction.	Invites the auspicious energy to flow into the home physically.
3. The Prayer	Recite a formal greeting, stating the names of family members and their wishes for the year.	Personalizes the request and sets clear intentions.
4. The Walk	In some traditions, the family walks a few steps toward the Wealth Direction and then returns, symbolically "carrying" the luck inside.	An active physical embodiment of receiving fortune.
5. The Closing	Burn the joss paper and bring the incense burner back to the main altar inside the house.	Seals the blessing within the home.

1. Key Date and Direction

In 2026, the God of Wealth is said to arrive from the South.

Primary Date: February 17, 2026 (The 1st Day of the 1st Lunar Month).
Arrival Direction: South (180°).
The Ritual: When praying or setting up your altar, you should be facing South to welcome the deity into your home.

2. Auspicious "Golden Hours"

The timing is critical to capture the peak of the year's initial prosperity. For 2026, the most auspicious windows are:

Primary Window: 01:00 AM – 03:00 AM (Chou Hour).
Peak Time: 01:40 AM is cited as the "Golden Moment" for the invitation.
Alternative Window: 11:00 PM (Feb 16) – 01:00 AM (Feb 17) is also traditionally used to welcome the deity at the exact transition of the year.

3. Zodiac Conflicts (Who should stay back?)

In Chinese metaphysics, certain animal signs may "clash" with the energy of a specific day. For the first day of the 2026 Lunar New Year:

Conflicting Signs: Dragon and Dog.
What this means: If a family member is born in the Year of the Dragon or Dog, they should not lead the ritual. They can still participate but should stay in the "second row" or let another family member (like the Ox or Goat, who have strong luck this year) carry the incense first.

4. Special 2026 Considerations

2026 is a Fire Horse year. Because the "Fire" element is very strong and the "Water" (wealth) element is traditionally missing from the year’s core chart, practitioners suggest:

Offerings: Include plenty of water-related symbols or black/blue colors on the altar (e.g., black grapes or blue-wrapped candies) to balance the intense heat of the Fire Horse.
The Spring Factor: Note that the "Start of Spring" falls on February 4, 2026, which is before the New Year. Many will perform a smaller "wealth-seeding" ritual on this day by depositing money into their bank accounts at auspicious times but the more logical and proven method is to welcome the God of Wealth of that day.