In English, 'Than Tai' can be referred to as 'God of Wealth' or 'God of Fortune', with both 'wealth' and 'fortune' signifying riches and prosperity.
The God of Wealth is widely worshipped in Asian cultures.
Beyond 'god', English offers another interchangeable term: 'deity'. When speaking of the god of wealth, one might also use 'fortune deity':
People often pray to the fortune deity for financial stability.
In Vietnam, the Day of the God of Wealth is a time when many pray for a prosperous and thriving year. In English, this concept is expressed as 'prosperity':
Buying gold on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year is a tradition to pray for a year of prosperity.
English also has the word 'abundance' to describe a state of plentifulness and prosperity, where all resources and money are ample.
May your new year be filled with an abundance of wealth and happiness.
Many also believe in using feng shui or spiritual symbols to 'attract wealth'. This phrase in English is 'attract wealth':
People often display a statue of the God of Wealth in their shops to attract wealth.
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Customers buying gold early in the morning on the Day of the God of Wealth 2026 on Tran Nhan Tong street, Hanoi. *Photo: Giang Huy* |
Rituals such as offerings or buying gold share the common purpose of bringing good luck, or 'bring good luck' in English:
Many Vietnamese people believe that buying a small piece of gold will bring good luck for the entire year.
If someone becomes wealthy through hard work or successful investments, the phrase is 'make a fortune':
He moved to the city with nothing but eventually managed to make a fortune in real estate.
However, if they achieve a significant business victory or earn substantial profits in a short period, English has the idiom 'make a killing':
Many gold shops make a killing on the Day of the God of Wealth due to the huge demand.
Finally, when someone possesses immense wealth and lives lavishly, we say they are 'rolling in money':
After the success of his startup, he is practically rolling in money.
Khanh Linh
