Yu. Yang

Chinese Zhima Plates Held in Russian Collections, Part II, God of Wealth

Key words: Zhima Plates, Kunstkamera Museum collections, Caishen, God of Wealth, wen, wu.

Abstract: Arguably the most popular deity in folk religion, the cult of Caishen or God of Wealth can be found in almost every part of China. The zhima are burned at his offerings. They may be classified into two major categories, the wen (civilian) God of Wealth and the wu (military) God of Wealth. The Kunstkamera Museum collection contains six zhima of Caishen which were destined to be burned after the worship ritual.