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Hell Bank Note: Money of the Spirits in Chinese Tradition
In Chinese culture, there is a unique tradition related to the spirit world, one of which is the use of Hell Bank Note or what is often referred to as "hell paper money" or Hell Money Paper. Where did it come from? Here is the review
What is a Hell Bank Note?
A Hell Bank Note is a symbolic banknote that is believed to be used by the spirits of the deceased in the afterlife. In Chinese tradition, the afterlife is considered a continuation of life in the world, so the spirits also need various kinds of equipment, including money.
Usually, this money is printed with a design that resembles real banknotes, but with a very large nominal value, ranging from millions to billions. On some sheets of Hell Bank Notes, there is a picture of a figure believed to be the Emperor of Hell, such as Yanluo Wang, who is the ruler of the underworld in Chinese mythology.
Not the Currency of Any Country
Although called a "bank note", the Hell Bank Note is not the official currency of any country. This money has no real-world value and is only used in certain religious or cultural rituals.
This money is printed by various manufacturers, and the design can vary depending on the region or belief. Typically, this money is purchased at Chinese religious supply stores and used in certain ceremonies, such as the Qingming Festival or Qing Beng Day, where families gather to visit the graves of their ancestors.
Function and Use in Rituals
Hell Bank Notes are commonly burned in ceremonies to honor the spirits of ancestors. Chinese people believe that by burning this money, they are sending wealth and supplies to their ancestors in the spirit world. In addition to money, they also often burn replicas of other items such as houses, cars, clothes, and even cell phones made of paper.
Some occasions where Hell Bank Notes are used include:
- Qingming Festival (Ceng Beng) – An annual celebration where families visit the graves of their ancestors and burn paper money and other offerings.
- Hungry Ghost Festival – Held in the seventh month of the lunar calendar, it is believed to be the time when the spirits of ancestors return to the world. To appease them, people burn paper money and make offerings.
- Funeral Ceremony – In some beliefs, this money is burned during funerals as a symbol of providing provisions for the spirits of the recently deceased.
The Meaning Behind Hell Bank Notes
For the Chinese people, the tradition of burning Hell Bank Notes is not just a belief, but also a form of respect for ancestors. This is a way for the surviving family to show devotion and ensure that their ancestors have a good life in the afterlife.
Although this tradition may sound strange to some people, for adherents of Chinese culture, this practice has deep spiritual value and has been carried out for centuries.
In the End
Hell Bank Notes are not the currency of any country, but rather symbolic money used in Chinese tradition to honor the spirits of ancestors. This money is believed to help spirits in the afterlife to remain prosperous. Although it is just a paper with no real value, its presence is very important in various Chinese religious and cultural ceremonies.
By understanding the meaning of the Hell Bank Note, we can better appreciate the rich and meaningful cultural heritage of Chinese society.