Ancestor Money, Joss Paper

By A Mystery Man Writer

Last updated 13 May 2024

The use of spirit money (also known as hell money or heaven money) in observing different rituals is deeply rooted in Asian culture. Archaeological evidence of “fake/spirit money” can be seen as far back as circa 1000 B.C. Imitations of money in the form of stones and bones (along with cowrie shells) were found in tombs. In the Spring and Autumn periods, archaeologists have found evidence of imitation metal money. The imitation metal money was thin and fragile, made of lead and bronze. There were also imitations in clay of gold plaques. Initially, archaeologists believed that imitations were for the poor; however, that belief changed when they discovered imitation money in the tombs of the wealthy

Spirit money itself has many different uses; however, it is used generally as a symbol of transformation, increase in reproduction, and payment of spiritual debts. The notes used as “money” are transformed to spirit money when they are used as symbolic offerings to ghosts, gods, and ancestors. The burning of spirit money allows for it to be transferred to ghosts, gods, and ancestors to be used as real currency in the other world. Furthermore, spirit money serves a vital role in association with the offering of food to some ghosts, gods, and ancestors. The offering of food serves to bring our ancestors and other beings in the other world closer to us. It serves as a bonding tool to bring both worlds together. This can be seen in cultures all around the world where feasts, dinners, and other social events use money to bring the community together. Spirit money on the other hand serves to separate the living world from the world of ghosts, gods, and ancestors. It is not natural to have both of these worlds in close connection with each other. The use of spirit money is very similar to how we use money in our society today. It is generally used as a tool to maintain a certain level of distance between two parties during a transaction. The concepts of food and money correlate directly to the offerings to ghosts, gods, and ancestors. We use food to bring them close to us and money to separate them from us

Spirit money is also used in activities outside of funerals. Spirit money can be used to cast away foul spirits that interrupt offerings to the gods or ancestors and create problems in one’s life. This type of ritual is performed by hoat-su. These are specialists in performing rituals for clients who seek their help with illness or other personal problems (p. 8). The hoat-su writes, Heaven and Earth, the Lord of Thunder, and all the gods of China’s three religions command with all their power the god of the year and the gods of the months and hours to dispel whatever evil powers threaten here, on paper charms in order to expel the evil spirits. The hoat-su then stamps the charm, burns it, dissolves the ashes in a cup of water, sips water, and spurts it out. Spirit money can also be used as a bribe to keep ghosts away. Burning spirit money serves as purification which separates the living from spirits

Works Cited

Gates, Hill. “Money for the Gods.” Modern China 13.3 (1987): 259-277.
McCreery, John. “Why Don’t We See Some Real Money Here?: Offerings in Chinese Religion.” Journal of Chinese Religions 18 (1990): 1-24.

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