Burning of Joss Money

The burning of joss paper is an essential custom of the Chinese. It is a practice that is believed to send money and the material wealth to your deceased relatives and friends. We respect, honour and love our deceased and that is why most of the practices still exist.

What is a Joss Paper?

You may call them joss papers, ghost money or spirit papers. They all refer to the same thing (the Chinese paper offerings). They are paper objects made from coarse bamboo paper or rice paper and used to appease the dead, for transformation, prosperity wishes, payment of spiritual debts and fertility among other purposes. Joss Paper is used in some Asian rituals and holiday observances, and sometimes for Feng Shui. 

Spirit money is most often used for venerating those departed but has also been known to be used for other purposes such as a gift from a groom’s family to the bride’s ancestors. Spirit money has been said to have been given for the purpose of enabling their deceased family members to have all they will need or want in the afterlife. It has also been noted that these offerings have been given as a bribe to Yanluo to hold their ancestors for a shorter period of time.

How the Joss Paper burning is done 

Depending on the type and status of the deity being worshipped, paper with metal foil or with ink seals of various sizes may be burned. Different regions of the world have different preferences for the type of Joss Paper that is used. Joss Paper burning is usually the last performed act in Chinese deity or ancestor worship ceremonies. 

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