Money God Temples in Taiwan by Graham, Fabian;

Transcendence and Metaphysics in Chinese Religion

Series: Routledge Research on Taiwan Series;

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Product details:

Edition number 1
Publisher Routledge
Date of Publication 22 December 2025

ISBN 9781041096047
Binding Hardback
No. of pages204 pages
Size 234x156 mm
Language English
Illustrations 15 Illustrations, black & white; 15 Halftones, black & white; 3 Tables, black & white

Short description:

This book traces the history and development of Taiwan’s new money god tradition, where, by borrowing a small sum of blessed ‘fortune money’ and returning it with interest within a year, a temple’s deity may intervene in the recipient’s life, bringing them unearned good luck and good fortune.

Long description:

Comprising an in- depth ethnography based on a decade of research, the book explores Taiwan’s money god tradition, revealing its ritual culture and underlying beliefs, thoroughly analyzed from sociological, comparative historical/ geographic, Taoist, Buddhist, metaphysical, and philosophical contexts. Drawing on Taoist and Buddhist cosmology, Chinese afterlife beliefs, and a trust in the power of the gods to influence the material world, the narrative explores the subjective nature of luck and fate; of human desires, choices and decisions; and of individuals’ subjective understandings of what the universe contains. These factors all contribute to the book’s final question, which, through an exploration of human- deity interactions, investigates whether Jacques Derrida’s true, un- reciprocal gift exists on a transcendent level amid the religious exchanges within Taiwan’s money god tradition.

This will be a valuable resource for students and scholars of Chinese religion and Taiwanese culture, as well as those with an interest in East Asian philosophy and religion.

“With rich ethnographic narratives and theoretical analysis, Money God Temples in Taiwan, reveals a thorough and important research on the traditional yin/yang ontology, Chinese money god belief, and its modern variation in Taiwan. Highly recommended for students and scholars in religion, anthropology, sociology, and cultural studies.”

Dr. Hsun CHANG, Director of the Institute of Ethnology (2024 – 2025), Academia Sinica, Taiwan

“Combining rich and often entertaining ethnography on Taiwanese 'money gods' and deep philosophical reflections on the nature of the 'true gift', this is the best introduction to the lively world of ritual innovation involving spiritually-charged 'financial instruments'.”

Professor Adam Yuet Chau, University of Cambridge, UK

“Fascinating and fun to read! A detailed and richly textured ethnography on the growing trend of gods who lend money in Taiwan. The book contributes to important debates in the anthropology and sociology of religion, including the gift economy, religious modernity, religious hybridity and transmutation, and the commodification of religion.”

Professor David Palmer, The University of Hong Kong.

Part 1: Ethnography 1. Money Gods, Gifts, and Conundrums 2. Taiwan’s Most Popular Money Gods: History and Mythology 3. Fortune Money: The Beginnings 4. Fortune Money: Other Systems 5. Fortune Money and the Taoist Priest: Shiding Wulu Caishen Miao 6. Replenishing the Treasury, Bu Caiku: Another Form of Generating This-Life Wealth Part 2: Analyses 7. Intentionality, Numbers, and Trends 8. Societal Catalysts to Religious Change: Why Taiwan? 9. Reevaluating Derrida: What Do Money Gods, and Recipients Actually Get out of it?