Tsai Shen Yeh, also written Cai Shen Ye or Caishen, is the Chinese god of wealth. Many households honour him with a statue or picture, especially around the Lunar New Year. Placement in feng shui depends on the household’s intention and the layout of the home. The guidance below reflects common practice rather than a fixed rule.
Who Tsai Shen Yeh is
Caishen is widely honoured across Chinese communities as a bringer of wealth and good fortune. He is usually shown as a formal, bearded figure in official robes, often holding a gold ingot or a scroll. Some depictions include a tiger at his side. Because his role is wealth, many people see him as a helper for work and trade as well as for household finances.
Caishen and the other gods of fortune
Caishen is often grouped with Fu Lu Shou, the trio of happiness, prosperity, and longevity, and with Tu Di Gong, the local earth god who looks after a place and the people in it. Each god has a different role, so many households choose one figure that matches their main intention rather than many at once. See the Fu Lu Shou guide for the trio and the Tu Di Gong guide for the earth god.
Where to place a Tsai Shen Yeh statue
- A clean, dry, well-lit spot on a stable shelf or altar.
- The southeast sector. Many Bagua-based feng shui schools call the southeast the wealth area. Some practitioners place the figure there. Others prefer the family altar or the main room.
- Above the floor. Place him at or above eye level for someone standing nearby, not on the floor.
- Away from water, heat, and clutter. Keep him clear of bathrooms, kitchens, and damp corners.
- A shared room. Many households choose a living room or altar corner rather than the bedroom.
Sources do not agree on one best spot. Choose a location you can keep clean and that you pass regularly.
When people honour him
Many Chinese families welcome Caishen around the start of the Lunar New Year, and some mark his day on the fifth day of the new year. Customs differ by region and family, so ask your family or a local temple what they do.
Offerings and daily care
- Dust the figure gently with a soft, dry cloth.
- Offer simple items such as fresh fruit, tea, or water, and replace them before they spoil.
- Some families add paper offerings at the New Year. Check local fire rules before burning anything, and never burn indoors.
Mistakes to avoid
- Treating the statue as a guarantee of income. Feng shui is a traditional practice. It does not replace work, saving, or planning.
- Crowding the altar. Too many symbols can hide the figure and make the space feel busy.
- Placing him low or under a beam. Both are common reasons for a figure to feel neglected or pressed down.
The short version
- Choose a clean, stable spot at a respectful height.
- Many practitioners favour the southeast wealth area, but a spot you keep clean matters more.
- Welcome him around the Lunar New Year, and keep offerings simple.