每屆新年，為增添室內的年節氣氛，除舊布新，祈福迎祥，皇宮內要懸掛椒屏歲軸，民間則張貼年畫。年畫的題材往往意義直白，比如繪搖錢樹，聚寶盆，以示招財進寶；畫胖娃娃懷抱鯉魚，寓意年年有餘；或者繪天官及孩童五名，並寫明＂五子登科＂，企盼家族興旺、子孫繁昌；還有繪制三國、劉海、白蛇傳及唐詩詩意多種題材。這福年畫繪財神及童子，童子手中的搖錢樹、元寶等道具各有＂東路＂＂西路＂＂南路＂北路＂＂中路＂字樣＇，象徵五路財神，意謂收盡五方之財，寄托了普通民眾對新一年美好的祈願。
God of wealth being widely used in the chinese new year decorations all through these years, in order to boost the new year blessings.
In this drawing from Qing dynasty, we see the god of wealth in the middle with five kids on the side. It has the message of all sons in the family can acquire high achievements in educations and the family can grow stronger. Each kid is carrying a money tree in his hands with five directions being written on it. This means all the money from five directions (including the middle) will all go to the owner.
