Send Off Poverty

Welcoming the God of Wealth, 财神, is a universal desire, while having the God of Poverty, 穷神, take residence in one's home is something no one wishes for. There's a Chinese saying: 送穷鬼，抢财神, emphasizing the act of sending away the God of Poverty and inviting the God of Wealth.

In ancient times, people made considerable efforts to expel the God of Poverty after the Chinese New Year to ensure prosperity for the lunar year. It was believed that if the God of Poverty resided in a home, the family would suffer financial losses and struggle to retain wealth. 

The God of Poverty can take on both male and female forms. The male version is said to be the son of Zhuan Xu, the grandson of the Yellow Emperor, who would intentionally damage his clothes, even if they were new. The female God of Poverty, known as Lady Poverty, is the wife of Jiang Ziya and led a difficult life with Zhang Ziya. 

Traditionally, the day to get rid of the God of Poverty is after the Lunar 5th day of the 1st month, known as 破五, which is the 6th day or the 29th day of the Lunar first month. However, there might be other days during the 1st lunar month that can be considered for sending off the God of Poverty. The traditional practice during the Lunar New Year dictates that people can only sweep out the accumulated garbage from the New Year around the fifth day. After the fifth day, the gathered rubbish transforms from symbols of good fortune and wealth into negative energy causing poverty, necessitating immediate removal. Therefore, the sixth day is also referred to as "Sending Poverty Soil" (送穷土). 

In the Year of the Dragon 2024, the 6th day and the 29th day of the Lunar first month are suitable dates to send off the God of Poverty.

 To perform this ritual, you will need:

1. Paper horse 

2. Paper human figurines of a man and a woman 

3. A large bag for containing rubbish 

4. Glue or sticky tapes

On the chosen day, sweep the floor and accumulate the dirt and dust. Pack it into a bag or several bags, tie it securely, and include torn clothes or irreparable items for disposal. Affix the paper horse and human figurines onto the rubbish bag(s). Carry the bag(s) outside your main door, or if residing in a high-rise, outside your building. Walk a distance and discard the bag. Ensure to write the characters “穷神” on each paper human figurine so that the God of Poverty follows the rubbish and leaves your home. This ritual can be performed at any time of the day. 

May this act alleviate your troubles and usher in a year of abundant financial success! 当破旧迎新之际，愿你驱散烦恼，财源滚滚来；送走穷苦，迎来富足，财富不断涌现!