Bi Gan (c. 11th century BCE) was a prominent royal kinsman and high minister during the late Shang dynasty, traditionally regarded as King Zhou of Shang’s uncle (some sources say half-brother). He served as Shaoshi—a position akin to prime minister—and was renowned for his unwavering loyalty, integrity, and fearless remonstrance.
According to historical records such as the Records of the Grand Historian (Shiji) by Sima Qian, Bi Gan repeatedly admonished King Zhou for his debauchery, tyranny, indiscriminate executions, and indulgence in the consort Daji. Enraged by Bi Gan’s persistent criticism, King Zhou reportedly declared, “I have heard that the hearts of sages have seven apertures! Let us see if yours does!” and ordered Bi Gan’s chest to be cut open and his heart removed, leading to his brutal death. Thus, Bi Gan became China’s earliest exemplar of a loyal minister who died offering honest counsel.
Later Confucian tradition greatly honored his moral courage. He was grouped with Weizi and Jizi as one of the “Three Humane Men of Yin”. Confucius himself affirmed in the Analects: “Weizi departed, Jizi became a slave, and Bi Gan remonstrated and died—these were the three humane men of Yin.”
In Chinese folk belief, because Bi Gan had no heart—and thus no bias or greed—he came to be venerated as the God of Civil Wealth (Wen Caishen), symbolizing fairness, honesty, and impartiality in business. He is widely worshipped in shops and homes across China.
Although his story contains legendary elements, Bi Gan remains a powerful moral symbol of principled loyalty and righteous dissent in Chinese political ethics and cultural memory.
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