Ancestor money, also known as "spirit money," "ghost money," or "hell bank notes," is a symbolic form of currency used in various Asian and spiritual traditions, particularly in Chinese, Taoist, and Buddhist practices. Here are some key aspects of ancestor money:
✨Symbolic Currency: Ancestor money is not actual legal tender but rather symbolic paper money specifically created for spiritual and ceremonial use.
✨Offerings to Ancestors: It is used as an offering to deceased ancestors and spirits in various rituals and ceremonies. The belief is that by burning or presenting ancestor money, you provide your ancestors with resources in the afterlife, ensuring their comfort and well-being.
✨Funerals and Ancestral Worship: Ancestor money is commonly used during funerals and ancestral worship ceremonies. It is often burned as an offering at ancestral altars or gravesites.
✨Various Denominations: Ancestor money comes in various denominations, similar to real currency. Different denominations may be used for different purposes or to represent varying levels of prosperity and blessings for the deceased.
✨Joss Paper: Ancestor money is sometimes referred to as "joss paper" or "joss money," with "joss" meaning luck or fortune in Chinese culture.
Burning Rituals: One of the primary ways to offer ancestor money is through burning. Practitioners may burn the paper money, believing that the smoke carries the offerings to the spirit realm.
✨Intentions and Prayers: Alongside ancestor money, individuals may also write messages, prayers, or wishes to their ancestors on the paper before burning it.
✨Cultural Significance: The use of ancestor money holds cultural significance in many Asian communities and is deeply rooted in their beliefs about ancestor veneration and the afterlife.