Consequently, burning joss paper is an essential part of Chinese funeral customs. The Chinese believe that it’s unlucky to arrive in the afterlife empty-handed or indebted. Here’s how to decide what’s right for you. For some people, burning joss paper is a near-daily spiritual practice for others, it’s something that’s done only during holidays and important family gatherings. There are many occasions to burn joss paper throughout the year, and each instance carries a slightly different meaning and requirements. I’ll leave you to form your own opinions about joss paper iPads, sports cars and mansions complete with servants. More contemporary additions like joss paper clothing, shoes and lengths of fabric also seem practical. With this context, joss paper ingots and currency with denominations reaching into the billions serve an obvious purpose. Joss paper is burned at funerals and during important dates thereafter to help the deceased pay off debts, trade for goods and exist comfortably in the spirit world. Put in more contemporary terms, burning joss paper provides the opportunity to make space and take time to remember the loved ones in your life.Īccording to tradition, the Chinese believe that the deceased have needs similar to those in the natural world. Taking time to care for ancestors in the afterlife ultimately reflects the value the Chinese place on filial piety and respect for one’s elders and ancestors. For instance, Hell Bank Notes are commonly found in regions where Cantonese populations dominate, but are rarely seen or used in places such as Taiwan or Macau, which predominantly use bamboo paper sheets. Different regions of the world have preferences for the type of joss paper that is used. Joss paper may be decorated with different seals, stamps, pieces of contrasting paper, engraved designs or other motifs. Burning joss paper at funerals became standard practice by the 12th century and the custom arrived in the United States with the first Chinese immigrants who arrived in California during the 19th century.Īs you shop for joss paper, note that variations abound. Settle in - this comprehensive guide is here to help.ĭepending on your source, the earliest joss paper rituals date back more than a thousand years to when paper coins were burned to please the spirits. Consequently, adopting joss paper customs here in the United States without a direct cultural connection can be intimidating. Joss paper customs are rich with symbolism and family history, the type of tradition you can imagine being shared in Chinese from grandmothers to their grandchildren. American Chinatowns have had dedicated joss paper stores since the first immigrants arrived in this country. It’s common to burn joss paper at funerals, on ancestor birthdays and during important holidays like the Qingming Festival and the Hungry Ghost Festival.Īrguably the most famous place to buy joss paper is in Hong Kong, where there’s an entire district in Sheung Wan dedicated to these types of goods. Sign up for our newsletter to receive our best activity, recipe and craft ideas before every Chinese holiday.īurning joss paper is a traditional Chinese-Taoist practice that sends money and materials goods to deceased relatives in the afterlife. However, as a result of the challenges people are facing to access the new banknotes, governors of three All Progressives Congress -led states of Kaduna, Kogi, and Zamfara, filed an an exparte motion at the Supreme Court to restrain the CBN and the Federal Government from implementing the February 10 deadline of the old banknotes as legal tender, which was granted.This article is part of our Qingming Festival Family Guide. But had to extend the deadline by 10 days (February 10) to allow for circulation of the new banknotes and mop up the old ones. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) had redesigned the N200, N500 and N1,000 denominations, and set January 31 as deadline for their legal tender status. In a unanimous decision by a seven-member panel of Justices, the court had ordered that the old banknotes shall continue to be used alongside the new banknotes till December 31, 2023. On March 3, the Supreme Court had nullified the ban on use of the old N200, N500 and N1000 banknotes as legal tender. THE WHISTLER earlier reported that the Governor on Sunday, directed all agencies of the state government not to reject payments made with old Naira banknotes by members of the public.
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