Comments on: How to Buy and Burn Joss Paper: A Complete Guide

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Sat, 21 Aug 2021 14:33:29 +0000

In reply to rick. Rick, this is my regular reminder that I need to write a post about Chinese housewarming practices. Hopefully soon! ~Wes

By: rick

rick — Fri, 20 Aug 2021 15:42:10 +0000

We just bought a house and my Chinese (Guilin) wife said we need to enter the house “with fire”. She can’t explain it further. Does she mean incense? Burning a joss paper house? Stepping over burning coals as we enter? Any ideas how I can do this for her?

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Sun, 31 Jan 2021 02:06:24 +0000

In reply to Kayleigh. Thanks very much, Kayleigh. Same to you! ~Wes

By: Kayleigh

Kayleigh — Sat, 30 Jan 2021 23:11:15 +0000

In reply to Wes Radez. Such a wonderful and interesting article I am so glad I came across your page. My fiancé is taiwanese and so I really wanted to lean more about the culture so we can share these experiences together,so it's great to have a deeper understanding and can't wait to read more of your articles. Hope you have happiness for the coming new year.

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Sun, 24 Jan 2021 19:24:25 +0000

In reply to Keira. Thanks for your question, Keira. You'll find an answer further up the comment thread. ~Wes

By: Keira

Keira — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 20:20:44 +0000

Hello Wes, Thank you so much for this article, it’s really helpful. I came across Joss paper at Pearl River Market in NYC, and all I knew about it was that it was used in funerals sometimes. I’m wondering if it is disrespectful to use Joss Paper for an art project? Sorry if even asking that is disrespectful. I wonder if I end up burning the paper if that would end up being okay traditionally? I do want to share that I’m not Chinese (though I studied Mandarin for a while and very much enjoy learning about the different Taoist traditions). Thank you for your perspective and guidance.

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Tue, 05 Jan 2021 05:37:56 +0000

In reply to Kat. Glad that your experience led you down a path of discovery, Kat, and that you ended up at my site. ~Wes

By: Kat

Kat — Mon, 04 Jan 2021 23:07:45 +0000

This is very neat thank you. Someone left a large amount of US Bank Note Joss Papers under a Christmas Tree display my work had set up at a Canadian Hospital. Everyone thought they were counterfeit but there was something that was pulling me that it was something different. A little googling and I realized what they were and fell down the rabbit hole of Hell Money and the Customs of Joss paper. From my Pagan heart this speaks to my spiritual side so much, as my alters and items left out for my passed loved ones is similar. Unfortunately I don’t know the intent of the person who left them and most of my coworkers tossed the papers out. But what I managed to keep I will take and burn with intent that it goes to whomever it was meant for or needs it on the other side. Cheers.

By: Wes Radez

Wes Radez — Sun, 20 Sep 2020 14:04:00 +0000

In reply to Tiff. Hi Tiff, I would suggest visiting a specialty joss paper store, where you'll find more specific expertise among the staff. ~Wes

By: Tiff

Tiff — Mon, 31 Aug 2020 15:55:02 +0000

Hi Wes,
I’m very fascinating with the Joss papers. There are so many different kinds of Joss papers sold at the Asian grocery stores. Is there a way to know which kind is for which deities and ancestors, which package is for which holiday and for what intent purpose ? I can’t read Chinese so that’s why it’s hard to figure out what is said in the package. I asked the workers at the Grocery for help, but none of them known much about it either. If you have any info or can direct me to know where to find the info. I appreciate it. I really want to keep the tradition/knowledge going for myself.