Today is Hoo Yeh's Birthday—Never Do This One Thing! Feng Shui Expert Reveals 2 Taboos for Attracting Wealth and 1 Action to Boost Luck All Year

July 19 (lunar calendar June 6) brings together three rare auspicious days. Not only is it Tian She Day and Tian Kuang Festival, but it is also the birthday of Hoo Yeh, the widely revered steed of the God of Wealth. Feng Shui expert Yang Dengke shares secret wealth-attracting techniques, including three methods—exchanging money water, placing business cards, and touching the deity's statue—to improve fortune. Yang also warns that when requesting a 'money mother' (money charm), people must follow the principle of equal-value exchange, avoiding greed that could cause good fortune to slip away.

What Makes July 19 Special? The Convergence of Tian She Day and Tian Kuang Festival

July 19, 2024 (lunar calendar June 6) is an exceptionally rare and auspicious day in folk tradition. It marks not only Tian She Day—a day when heaven grants special forgiveness—but also Tian Kuang Festival, a traditional Taoist celebration when the gates of heaven open for blessings. Coincidentally, it is also the birthday of Hoo Yeh, a beloved wealth-attracting deity in folk belief. The convergence of these three auspicious days is seen by many as a once-in-a-year opportunity for fortune transformation.

Feng Shui expert Yang Dengke explains that tigers are traditionally known as the 'king of all beasts,' symbolizing the ability to ward off evil, prevent disasters, and protect homes. The word 'tiger' (hu) sounds similar to 'fortune' (fu) in Chinese, and legends say tigers can bite and bring money. Thus, Hoo Yeh is widely recognized as a symbol of attracting wealth and enhancing financial luck.

According to legend, Hoo Yeh was a divine beast tamed by Baosheng Emperor, who trained alongside him and became the Black Tiger General. Some legends also say Hoo Yeh is the personal mount of the God of Wealth or the City God. Having served beside these deities for years, Hoo Yeh gained divine powers to attract wealth and repel evil. He is typically enshrined beneath the main altar in temples and is also regarded as a 'protector of children.'

How to Request a Money Mother? Expert Reveals the Critical Taboo in 'Money Water' Exchange

Traditionally, Hoo Yeh is categorized into two types based on appearance and placement: yellow-furred and black-furred. The yellow-furred is often called 'Hoo Yeh Gong,' while the black-furred is known as 'Xia Tan Jiang Jun' or 'Black Tiger General.' For those seeking wealth on Hoo Yeh’s birthday, Yang Dengke shares the first and most well-known method: 'exchanging money water for a money mother.' When visiting a temple, worshippers must first pay respects to all deities in order, ending at Hoo Yeh’s altar. Before the statue, they should state their name, birthdate, address, and current employer, then sincerely pray for their wishes—ideally in detail. After worship, they may take a coin from the 'money water' bowl near the altar.

'Money water' refers to a small bowl placed beside Hoo Yeh’s shrine, filled with water and many coins. Yang warns that when exchanging coins from this bowl for a money mother, one must use an equal-value coin. For example, a 10-dollar coin should be exchanged for another 10-dollar coin, or a 5-dollar for a 5-dollar. Never use a smaller denomination to take a larger one (e.g., using a 1-dollar coin to take a 10-dollar coin). Doing so is considered greedy in folk belief and may prevent Hoo Yeh’s blessing. The exchanged coin should be passed clockwise around the incense burner three times, then placed in a red envelope or wallet to carry at all times. If the wish comes true, one must return to the temple to fulfill a vow of gratitude.

Struggling at Work? Avoid Office Gossip with Business Cards and Two Folk Sayings

Besides exchanging money water, Yang shares two other simple methods for attracting wealth and blessings. The second method is for those seeking career success and wishing to avoid office drama. Many temples place a treasure basin or red plate beside Hoo Yeh’s shrine, where people can place their business cards to pray for career advancement, business growth, and protection from workplace gossip.

The third method involves interacting with the deity’s statue to attract wealth energy. Taiwanese folklore includes auspicious sayings like 'touch the tiger’s mouth to attract wealth and nobility' and 'touch the tiger’s head to earn enough to build a skyscraper.' Some temples allow worshippers to touch Hoo Yeh’s statue on special days. While touching, one may recite these phrases. However, experts remind that temple rules vary—always confirm whether touching is allowed and respect temple guidelines to sincerely attract wealth and blessings on this triple auspicious day.