Supplementary Wealth: How to Arrange Apples for the God of Wealth
Chinese New Year is a time of celebration, family reunion, and abundance. One of the important traditions during this festive period is to invite the God of Wealth to one's home, hoping for a prosperous and successful year ahead. One of the offerings for the God of Wealth is the apple, which is believed to symbolize peace, harmony, and fertility. Apple also sounds like "peace" or "safety" in Chinese, making it an auspicious fruit to have during the Chinese New Year. However, arranging apples for the God of Wealth is not just about putting them in a container or on a plate randomly. There are some guidelines that one should follow to ensure a successful offering and a blissful year.
1. Choose the right number of apples.
According to Chinese numerology, the number of apples that one should offer to the God of Wealth is either eight or nine. Eight is an auspicious number that sounds like "wealth" in Chinese, while nine sounds like "long-lasting" or "eternal". Therefore, presenting either eight or nine apples to the God of Wealth is believed to bring prosperity, longevity, and good fortune. However, one should avoid presenting four apples, as the number four sounds like "death" in Chinese and is considered unlucky.
2. Determine the location.
The location of the apple offering to the God of Wealth is also significant. It should be placed in the center of the living room or the most prominent area in the house. The apple arrangement should face south, which is the direction of the God of Wealth. It is also advisable to place the apple offering on a red cloth or red platter, as red is a color that symbolizes luck and prosperity.
3. Arrange the apples in a specific manner.
The way apples are arranged also matters when offering them to the God of Wealth. The most common way is to arrange them in a circular formation, which represents a unity of family and friends. One can also arrange them into a pyramid shape, which symbolizes growth and progress. However, one should never arrange the apples in a straight line or in a way that resembles a pair of chopsticks, as it is believed to bring bad luck.
4. Add decorations.
To make the apple offering more auspicious and attractive to the God of Wealth, one can add some decorations around the arrangement. Some popular decorations include red envelopes containing lucky money, gold ingots or coins, and oranges or tangerines, which symbolize wealth and good luck. It is also common to decorate the apple arrangement with a red ribbon or a red lantern, which is a traditional Chinese decoration for the Chinese New Year.
5. Keep the apples fresh.
Finally, it is essential to ensure that the apples used for the offering are fresh and ripe. Withered or rotting apples are believed to bring bad luck and are disrespectful to the God of Wealth. One should also change the apple arrangement every few days to keep it fresh and presentable.
In conclusion, presenting apples to the God of Wealth during the Chinese New Year is a sacred tradition that requires attention to detail and respect. By following these guidelines for arranging the apples, one can ensure a successful offering and a prosperous year ahead. Remember to choose the right number of apples, determine the location, arrange them in a specific manner, add decorations, and keep them fresh. May the God of Wealth bless you and your family with abundance, good fortune, and happiness in the coming year.