The Wealth Bureau is not simply about asking for money.
The Wealth Bureau centers on how wealth is mythically managed: treasure, merchants, market profit, receiving valuables, summoning wealth, guarding wealth and distribution. It can connect commercial folk custom with Daoist protectors and Fengshen deities. Articles should separate wishes for fortune from celestial office functions.
The Wealth-Attracting Envoy represents the wish for incoming wealth and smooth commerce.
Nazhen Tianzun embodies images of treasure, valuable goods and accumulated wealth.
The Market-Profit Immortal Officer is close to folk scenes of trade, market opening and prosperous buying and selling.
Zhao Gongming's identity as Xuantan True Lord carries multiple meanings: protector, martial wealth god and Wealth Bureau chief.
Main members
Zhao Gongming
Zhao Gongming's full title is often Golden-Dragon Ruyi Zhengyi Dragon-Tiger Dark-Altar True Lord, making him the most important figure entry for the Wealth Bureau. In folk usage he is often called Martial Wealth God or Marshal Zhao of Xuantan.
Xiao Sheng, Cao Bao, Chen Jiugong and Yao Shaosi
Often corresponds to Zhaobao Tianzun, Nazhen Tianzun, Wealth-Attracting Envoy and Market-Profit Immortal Officer, forming the clearest functional division in the Wealth Bureau.
Five-Route Wealth Gods, civil wealth gods and local wealth gods
These beliefs are closely related to the Wealth Bureau, but their sources and systems are not identical; later they should be expanded as wealth-god systems.
Common misunderstandings
Do not write all wealth gods as Zhao Gongming's subordinates
Bigan, Fan Li, Guan Yu, the Five-Route Wealth Gods and local wealth gods each have their own sources. They can be compared with the Wealth Bureau, but should not be forced into one rank ladder.
The Wealth Bureau is not a metaphysical finance page
This site writes mythology, belief and texts; it does not provide wealth-seeking, luck-changing or investment advice.
Sources
- Zhao Gongming materials: used to organize Xuantan True Lord, martial wealth god and Wealth Bureau chief identities.
- Wealth-god materials: used to distinguish folk wealth-god systems.
- Investiture of the Gods: used to organize the Wealth Bureau enfeoffment system.