The Ancient Art of Joss Paper: Origins, Rituals, and Auspicious Dates for Offerings
- Jason Chan
- Sep 7
- 4 min read
Joss paper (金纸, 香钱, or 冥币) has been an integral part of Chinese spiritual traditions for centuries. Whether used for honoring ancestors, appeasing wandering spirits, or seeking divine blessings, the ritual of burning joss paper carries deep cultural and symbolic significance. In this blog, we will explore the origins of joss paper, its various uses, and the most auspicious dates for making offerings.
The Origins of Joss Paper
The practice of burning joss paper dates back to ancient China, deeply rooted in ancestor worship, Taoist beliefs, and Buddhist karma rituals.
Ancient Beginnings: The Evolution of Offerings
Originally, real money, silk, and valuable goods were buried with the deceased to provide them with wealth in the afterlife. However, as time passed, paper replicas became a more practical and symbolic alternative. This transition is believed to have started during the Han Dynasty (206 BCE – 220 CE) when paper became more accessible.
During the Tang Dynasty (618–907 CE), joss paper became widespread, influenced by the Taoist concept of a bureaucratic afterlife where spirits needed wealth to navigate their journey. By the Song Dynasty (960–1279 CE), the practice of burning joss paper had become a standard ritual in funerals and ancestral veneration.
Today, joss paper extends beyond traditional currency replicas to include paper houses, luxury cars, servants, and even smartphones—all meant to ensure a comfortable afterlife for loved ones.
Joss Paper Rituals Across Different Occasions
Joss paper plays a role in various spiritual ceremonies, each with its unique customs and significance.
1. Ancestor Worship (祭祖)
When?
• Qingming Festival (清明节, Tomb Sweeping Day) – Honoring ancestors by visiting their graves.
• Zhongyuan Festival (中元节, Hungry Ghost Festival) – Offering provisions to both ancestors and wandering spirits.
• Death Anniversaries & Funerals – Providing financial support to the deceased in the afterlife.
Ritual Process:
1. Prepare the altar – Set up food, tea, wine, and the ancestor’s portrait or tablet.
2. Light incense & say prayers – Invite the spirits of ancestors to receive the offerings.
3. Burn joss paper – Silver paper (冥币) for ancestors, gold paper (元宝) for deities.
4. Complete with blessings – Pour tea or wine over the ashes as a final tribute.
2. Funeral & Mourning Rituals (丧礼)
Purpose:
• To provide for the deceased in the afterlife.
• To pay spiritual debts and ensure a smooth transition to the underworld.
Key Steps:
1. Use “Hell Bank Notes” (冥币) – These are burned to send wealth to the deceased.
2. Fold ingots (元宝) – Symbolic of ancient gold currency, ensuring prosperity.
3. Burn paper houses, servants, and clothing – To provide comfort in the spirit world.
4. Observe mourning days – Rituals are often repeated on the 7th, 49th, and 100th days after passing.
3. Hungry Ghost Festival (中元节)
Purpose:
• To appease lost souls who have no descendants to care for them.
• To prevent misfortune and bad luck caused by restless spirits.
How to Perform the Ritual:
1. Set up an outdoor offering table with fruits, rice, and tea.
2. Burn Hell Bank Notes and joss paper to help spirits.
3. Scatter rice and salt to ward off negative energies.
4. Avoid looking back after finishing the ritual.
4. Taoist Rituals & Deity Worship
Joss paper isn’t just for the dead—it is also burned as an offering to deities for protection, blessings, and prosperity.
Offerings for Different Deities:
• Gold joss paper (金纸) → For higher celestial beings (Jade Emperor, Guan Yin).
• Silver joss paper (银纸) → For guardian spirits and lesser deities.
• Taoist talisman paper (神纸) → For specific blessings like wealth or health.
Tip: Always specify your request when making an offering to a deity!
Auspicious Dates for Burning Joss Paper
Selecting an auspicious date for burning joss paper is believed to enhance the effectiveness of the offering, ensuring that it reaches the intended spirits and deities. Here are the key dates to consider:
1. Monthly Auspicious Days (农历吉日)
• 1st day of the Lunar Month (初一)
• A time to honor deities and ancestors at the start of the month.
• 15th day of the Lunar Month (十五)
• Known as Full Moon Day (望日), it is a powerful time for spiritual communication.
2. Annual Festivals (年度节日)
• Qingming Festival (清明节) – 4th or 5th April
• Best time to honor ancestors at their gravesites.
• Hungry Ghost Festival (中元节) – 15th day of the 7th Lunar Month
• Offering joss paper to both known and unknown spirits ensures protection.
• Winter Solstice Festival (冬至) – Late December
• A time to make offerings for blessings in the coming year.
• Chinese New Year’s Eve (除夕)
• Burning joss paper for ancestors is believed to bring family blessings in the new year.
3. Special Occasions for Families
• Death anniversaries of ancestors
• 100th day after a person’s passing (百日祭)
• 7th day after a person’s passing (头七) – A crucial moment when the deceased’s soul is believed to return home for one last visit.
4. Personal Auspicious Days
Some people consult Tung Shing (通胜, Chinese Almanac) to select a personalized auspicious date for ancestor worship and spiritual offerings.
Modern Considerations: Eco-Friendly Practices & Digital Offerings
With growing environmental concerns, some temples now offer:
• Eco-friendly joss paper made of rice paper or other biodegradable materials.
• Electronic joss paper burning alternatives, allowing offerings via digital platforms.
• Acts of charity or sutra recitations as modern substitutes to generate merit for ancestors.
Final Thoughts
The burning of joss paper remains a deeply symbolic bridge between the physical and spiritual worlds. Whether used for ancestor worship, Taoist ceremonies, or honoring deities, these rituals ensure harmony, respect, and gratitude between the living and the deceased.
Understanding auspicious dates and proper rituals enhances the effectiveness of joss paper offerings, preserving this sacred tradition for generations to come.
Would you like guidance on choosing an auspicious date for your personal ancestor worship? Feel free to reach out!