Cai Shen is the Chinese name of the god of prosperity. People believed that Cai Shen are able to control the fortune and wealth for the mortals.
According to the folk legend, usually Cai Shen refers to Zhao Gongming who is called the orthodox god of prosperity.
According to Feng Shen Bang, a book about Chinese myth for the investiture of gods, Zhao Gongming has magic power and is in charge of wind, thunder and rain. Later, he becomes a general of millions of ghosts. He is always depicted had a black face, riding a black tiger and carring a golden rod.
It is said that, the fifth day of the first lunar month is the Cai Shen’sbirthday. In order to win his blessings, people attach importance to worship the god and celebrate his birthday. During the Spring Festival，portraits of Cai Shen can be found everywhere and people even prepare food and burn incese to welcome him.
Related posts:
#1 by WP Themes on August 3, 2010 - 1:15 am
Good brief and this mail helped me alot in my college assignement. Thanks you for your information.