One of the different Chinese-Taoist traditions is the burning of the joss paper. It is believed that burning 金银纸批发 sends things and money to the relatives who are dead and housed in the other world. The times when joss paper torching is conducted are during the ancestor’s birthday, funerals, and important holidays under the Chinese traditions. These customs have a lot of tradition, symbolism, and family history attached. This culture has been passed down from one generation to the other for a very long time.
What is a joss paper?
The basic joss paper is made of bamboo sticks with gold engravings on it. It is available in a wide variety of sizes. The joss paper can either be burned as traditional gold ingots after folding or burnt in the original shape they were bought in.
When people burn joss paper, it offers items that their dead relatives may require in the other world like electronics, food, and clothes. The way the joss paper sends the items to the other world is through the smoke that is released when the joss paper is burned.
When is joss paper burned?
In some traditions, the burning of the joss paper may be a part of their daily ritual. However, others may burn joss paper only during family meetings or specific holidays. This meeting may be funerals since, in the Chinese tradition, it is believed that the deceased should not enter the spirit world if in debt or empty-handed. Every year, when it is the ancestor’s death anniversary, people celebrate it like the party of the dead. They cook the favorite meal of the ancestor and burn the joss paper as a remembrance act.
What are the reasons behind the burning of the joss paper?
According to the Chinese tradition, taking out some time to care for the ancestor who is deceased is a means of showing respect to the elders and ancestors. The burning of the joss paper signifies that the living people are thinking of the deceased and creating space for them. As per Chinese tradition, despite being dead, deceased people also have needs like those who are still on earth. Therefore, joss paper is burned during funerals and on other important occasions to help the ancestors pay off any debt and exist comfortably. If you are looking to buy joss paper, check out joss paper Malaysia.
Three types of spirit money are sent by the Chinese to their ancestors. These are gold, silver, and copper. Copper money is also referred to as cash. Cash money is given to those who are newly deceased or spirits of unknown people. Golden joss papers are offered to deities like the Jade Emperor. Silver joss paper is used exclusively for spirits of ancestors. These distinctions between the different categories of the joss paper must be precisely followed to ensure that there is no confusion or the spirits do not get insulted.
