7 Badass Things You Didn't Know About The God Of Prosperity A.K.A Choy San Yeh
The Chinese often see Choy San Yeh as this jovial guy who spreads wealth but did you know there's more to him that just his money? We take a look at why the God of Wealth is one of the coolest deities here.
By Darian Goh — 17 Feb 2015, 03:33 PM — Updated about 9 years ago
1. He was a former general of war
He's definitely more good looking and more skilled than all these guys combined...
Image via wordpress.comThere are a few variations of how the God of Wealth came about. In one version, the story tells of Zhao Gongming, a mortal general who served the emperor Zhao. He was a fearsome leader and a brave general because...
2. He subdued a black tiger and made it his pet
If being a general isn't badass enough for you, this will probably do the trick. Instead of going to the battlefield on a horse like any other high ranking general, Choy San Yeh made a tiger his pet. He didn't go with any normal tiger, he went for a black one. On his way to the battlefield, “Zhao subdued a black tiger and rode it”. We don't know how he subdued it but we're pretty sure no one does it for fun!
3. He is the original Goldfinger*
How does the God of Wealth get so much gold? With his rod of course! Blessed with a ruyi, Choy San has the ability to turn iron into gold with just a touch!
*James Bond has got nothing on Choy San
4. He has a lightning rod and magic pearls that make enemies go blind
Besides his famed staff which turns iron into gold, he also has an arsenal of exploding pearls called the Sea Conquering Pearls. His weapon is a “lightning staff” and he possesses 24 of the pearls, which force “all foes present to their knees in blindness.”
5. He only gives out wealth to people who work for it
Modern impressions of Choy San is that he gives wealth to anybody and everybody. But that is not the case. The God of Wealth doesn’t merely dole out riches, great wealth has to be earned from the man. To be wealthy, we have to work hard and we have to be smart. The God of Wealth may accept the offerings on the altar, inhale the incense, and dance to the firecrackers, but the real offering he requires is hard work.
6. He was a hermit who knew the ways of the Force, just like Yoda
Zhao Gongming was also known as a reclusive fellow who lived in the mountains. He helped overthrow the Shang dynasty with his magical and sage abilities. He was then cursed to death by Jiang Ziya an adversary of his, but was later bestowed the title of Choy San, the Minister of Wealth due to his virtuous deeds.
7. He slapped a mythical dog because it was biting his baju
In Chapter 47 of "The Investiture of The Gods Zhao Gongming", Zhao Gongming (who's actually the God of Wealth) was in a battle with a rebel commander when he struck him on the head with his magical staff. While they were fighting, another rebel commanded his mythical beast, a Sky Barking Hound to attack Zhao. "Realizing that his precious robes were being torn apart by such a foul beast, Zhao Gongming smacked the dog several times within the head before fleeing temporarily to the Shang camp in dismay". So don't ever mess with Choy San Yeh's clothes.
If you're still not impressed with what Choy San has done. Here's what he has to say to you:
