How to Worship Tudigong for the First Worship of the Year: Your Complete Guide to Boosting Your Fortune and Attracting Good Luck (2026 Edition)

Hey everyone, yesterday (March 18th) was the second day of the second lunar month. Do you know what that means? That's right, it's the first "Worship Day" for Tudigong, the Earth God! It also coincides with the "Dragon Raises Head" festival – a double dose of auspicious energy. If you missed it, don't worry, you can still make up for it today! Having spent decades around local temples, I'm here to share a complete guide on how to perform the rituals correctly to really make your wealth stick and ensure a smooth year ahead.

What is the "First Worship" and Why is it So Powerful When It Falls on the Same Day as "Dragon Raises Head"?

To understand the "First Worship," we need to look at Taiwanese business customs. Traditionally, business owners would worship Tudigong on the 2nd and 16th of each lunar month – this is called "doing the worship." The very first one of the lunar year, on the second day of the second month, is the "First Worship," and the last one, on the 16th of the twelfth month, is the "Last Worship." This day is also considered Tudigong's birthday, and it's the day when the "Dragon King," who controls the weather, raises his head. Two such powerful days coinciding? That energy is absolutely electric! So, praying for wealth, career success, and safety on this day is believed to be exceptionally effective.

【Your Guide to Worshipping Tudigong on the First Worship】 Prepare These Offerings to Make Tudigong Smile

Worshipping Tudigong is all about sincerity, but a few tips can really help your intentions shine through. Here’s a handy checklist:

• Mochi (Rice Cakes): This is a must! Mochi is soft, sticky, and chewy, symbolizing that you can "stick" your wealth to you. It also pleases Tudigong, encouraging him to speak well of you all year round.
• Peanuts: In Taiwanese Hokkien, the word for peanut sounds like "grow old," representing longevity and health. It's a way to ask Tudigong to bless your whole family with health and safety.
• Wine: Offering wine is a sign of respect to the deity. Three small cups of clear wine or rice wine work perfectly.
• Three Meat Offerings (San Sheng): If you have a significant wish for your family or business, you can prepare a simple platter with chicken, pork, and fish to show extra sincerity.
• Fruit: Choose fruits with auspicious meanings, like pineapple (prosperity coming), apple (peace), and tangerine (luck).
• Fortune Cakes (Fa Gao) or Red Turtle Cakes: These symbolize your career and fortune "rising" and expanding.
• Incense Paper (Jin Zhi): Be sure to get the specific incense paper for Tudigong, like Fu Jin and Shou Jin. Just tell the shopkeeper you need paper for Tudigong, and they'll set you up.

Remember, offerings should be fresh and neatly arranged. Light some incense, sincerely introduce yourself to Tudigong, and then state your wishes.

How to "Boost Your Wealth Luck" on the First Worship? An Old-Fashioned Secret Method Revealed

Many people ask me how to really "use" the First Worship to maximize wealth luck. Besides the basic rituals, there are a few key details you need to pay attention to:

First, touch Tudigong's beard and cane. In many temples, devotees can touch the statue's white beard (symbolizing longevity and wisdom) and his cane (symbolizing support for your career). After touching, gesture from the top of your head down to your own pocket, symbolizing bringing that good fortune home.

Second, ask for "Money Mother" (Qian Mu). Some Tudigong temples prepare special "Money Mother" coins that have been blessed. You can make a donation and take one home to place in your wallet or safe, where it's believed to help attract more wealth.

Third, perform the wealth-boosting ritual. If you feel your finances have been stuck, you can prepare a special "Wealth Boosting" incense paper set. During your prayers, state your purpose clearly: that you have come specifically to "boost your wealth luck" and ask Tudigong to help fill your coffers for a steady stream of income. After praying, the incense paper must be burned in the designated incense burner.

Taboos You Absolutely Must Avoid! Worshipping Incorrectly Could Drive Wealth Away

Just as there are correct ways to worship, there are also taboos. I've heard friends say things went wrong after worshipping, only to find they made one of these mistakes:

• Is it taboo to offer peanuts? This is a bit of a misunderstanding. Offering whole peanuts is generally fine. However, some elders might avoid dishes like peanut soup, as the word for peanut kernel can sound like "burrowing in the dirt" – but offering dry peanuts is perfectly acceptable. To be safe, stick with mochi and fortune cakes.
• Avoid bitter melon and white radish: Even though white radish can symbolize "good luck," the colour white is traditionally associated with funerals. So, it's best to avoid offering white-coloured foods to deities. As for bitter melon? Why offer something bitter?
• Do not offer wax apple: The wax apple is hollow inside, symbolizing being "heartless" or insincere, which is disrespectful to the deity.
• You must eat the mochi after offering it: This symbolizes taking the wealth into your own body, so don't let it go to waste.

Alright, these are the tips I've gathered from temple keepers and experienced elders over the decades. I've followed them myself every year, and my career has indeed remained stable. If you went to worship yesterday, feel free to share your experiences in the comments below and let everyone see just how responsive Tudigong can be! For those who haven't gone yet, there's still time today. Head over to your local Tudigong temple – you might just be the next one blessed by the God of Wealth!