Worshiping Chinese deities serves as both spiritual support and a motivational strategy. According to Chinese belief, worshiping gods is a way to "open oneself to positive energy." This energy enters one's life, especially during Chinese New Year, marking the zodiac and new year transition, to ensure a smooth year ahead.
The 9 most popular auspicious deities are detailed by Thairath Online, including their meanings, proper ways to pray, what to request from each, and simple worship locations for 2026.
He is the most important god of wealth, believed to descend from different directions each Chinese New Year. He appears in both martial (Guan Yu or Zhang Gongming) and civil (Bi Gan) forms; the civil Bi Gan, a loyal official from the Shang dynasty, is the most popular.
Belief: He is the first deity Chinese people worship at the start of the new year (Chinese New Year) to ask for wealth and prosperity throughout the year.
What to pray for: A flow of money, smooth business, and debt relief.
Worship locations: Leng Nei Yi Temple (Yaowarat), Guan Yu Shrine (Khlong San).
Guan Yu symbolizes loyalty, courage, and prestige. He was a real historical figure from the Three Kingdoms era—a great general honored as a god after death for his loyalty and filial piety.
Belief: He is worshiped to enhance authority, auspiciousness in leadership, and to protect against betrayal or exploitation.
What to pray for: Removing troublemakers, honest partners, loyal subordinates, and legal victories.
Worship locations: Guan Yu Shrine (Yaowarat or Khlong San).
The Bodhisattva of mercy who helps dispel suffering.
Originally "Princess Miaoxian," known for her great filial piety and compassion, who sacrificed her eyes and arms to save her father, eventually attaining enlightenment as a Bodhisattva.
Belief: She symbolizes detachment and mercy; devotees often abstain from beef to show charity and respect.
What to pray for: Family harmony, good health, and blessings regarding children.
Worship locations: Tien Fa Foundation (Yaowarat), Guan Yin Shrine (Chokchai 4).
Representative of abundance and unlimited fortune. According to Chinese Buddhist lore, he was an arhat mistaken for the Buddha due to his handsome appearance, so he vowed to become fat and jolly to be distinguishable.
Belief: His large belly symbolizes abundance, and his smiling face represents happiness and continuous good luck.
What to pray for: Wealth, prosperity, and fulfillment in life.
Worship locations: Wat Kalayanamit Woramahawihan, Tiger God Shrine.
Goddess of the sea and protector of travelers, originally a Hokkien woman named Lin Mo Niang, who had psychic powers to forecast weather and assist fishermen in danger at sea.
Belief: She is revered as the goddess of the sea and navigation, especially among merchants who pray for smooth trade like flowing water.
What to pray for: Safe travels and success in export business or long journeys.
Worship locations: Mazu Shrine (Saphan Leung or Phahurat).
Symbolizes wit, intelligence, and overcoming obstacles.
Originates from the classic novel "Journey to the West," he is a stone-born monkey king with powers of flight and 72 transformations.
Belief: Worshiped for cleverness, wisdom, and courage to overcome difficult challenges, ideal for businesspeople needing adaptability.
What to pray for: Solving complex problems, gaining wisdom, and defeating rivals.
Worship locations: Sun Wukong Shrine (Taling Chan or Suan Phak).
Guardian of soulmate records according to Chinese belief, holding the book of matches and a red thread pouch, walking the human world to tie red threads on the ankles of destined couples.
Belief: Singles pray for help to "pull the red thread" to meet their soulmate, while couples pray for lasting love.
What to pray for: Love, finding a good partner, or stable relationships.
Worship locations: Wat Mangkon Kamalawat (Leng Nei Yi), Wat Thipphayawararam.
Deities protecting one’s fate, especially important for those in a Zodiac Conflict Year (Pee Chong). There are 60 such deities who take turns overseeing the human world, one per year in the zodiac cycle.
Belief: They influence human fate; annual worship, especially in a Zodiac Conflict Year, helps lighten misfortune or enhance already good luck.
What to pray for: A smooth life, transforming bad luck to mild, and boosting fortune throughout the year.
Worship locations: Leng Nei Yi Temples 1 and 2 (Bang Bua Thong).
A powerful deity who protects and wards off evil.
According to legend, he was an ascetic on Mount Booting who attained enlightenment and gained control over water elements and demons. He is often depicted in Chinese warrior attire, with one foot on a turtle and the other on a snake, symbolizing his vanquishing of demons.
Belief: Known among Thais as the “Tiger God” because his shrine usually features fierce but loyal tiger statues. He is renowned for removing obstacles and evil.
What to pray for: Dispelling obstacles, enhancing authority, and prosperity.
Worship locations: Tiger God Shrine (Sao Chingcha).
However, the most effective worship is to make a clear, single request per deity, avoid asking for everything, and remember to provide your full name and current address to introduce yourself to them.