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EveryParampara

Joss paper

Paper offerings burned for the dead, from money to houses and phones.

A pattern drawn for this page, not a picture of Joss paper.

Also: spirit money, ghost money

Joss paper is a type of paper made to be burned as an offering to the dead or to the gods in Chinese, Vietnamese and other East Asian traditions. The best known is paper money, printed with imitation notes and ingots, but families also burn paper houses, cars, clothes and electronics for the dead to use in the next world. It is burned at Qingming, the Ghost Festival, funerals and the new year. The practice reflects the belief that the afterlife mirrors this one and that the dead have needs. Many cities now limit the burning for air quality and offer designated furnaces.

Region: East Asia

See also

Feng shuiJesaKowtow

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