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Hell Bank Notes are a special form of joss paper, an afterlife monetary paper offerings used in traditional Chinese ancestor veneration, that can be printed in the style of western or Chinese paper bank notes.
In order to ensure that spirits have lots of good things in the afterlife, their relatives send them paper presents, and one of the things that are usually sent to ancestors are Hell Bank Notes--money to spend in the afterworld.
In some mythology, the Hell Bank Notes are sent by living relatives to dead ancestors to "bribe" the King of Hell for a shorter stay or to escape punishment. In these more modern times, the creation of "Hell Bank Note Credit Cards" have become very popular. The designs on these "credit cards" vary from the very simple (with just a basic "VISA" stamped on a gold cardboard card), to very elaborate (with custom artwork and names).
Regardless of the presentation, Hell Bank Notes are well known for their outrageously large denominations, ranging from $10,000, $100,000, $1,000,000 or even $500,000,000; the Chinese afterlife is apparently subject to hyperinflation. On every bill, it will usually feature an image of the Jade Emperor, and his signature (Yu Wong, or Yuk Wong) countersigned by Yanluo, King of Hell (Yen Loo). On the back of each bill, it features a portrait of the bank of Hell.
History
The word Hell was introduced to China by Christian missionaries, who claimed that all non-converted Chinese people would "go to Hell" when they died. As such, it was believed that the word "Hell" was the proper English term for the Chinese afterlife, and hence the word was adopted.
Furthermore, it is believed in Chinese mythology that all who die will automatically enter the underworld of Di Yu (trad. 地獄, simp. 地狱; lit. "underground hold/court") to be judged before being sent to heaven and enter nirvana, to be punished in the underworld, or be reincarnated. As such, the word "Hell" usually appears on these notes. Some printed notes omit the word "hell" and sometimes replaces it with "heaven" or "paradise".
Designs
The most well known and commonly sold Hell Note is the $10,000 greenback, styled after the United States Federal Reserve Note.
In some stores, they also sell elaborately-made notes, featuring not only the Jade Emperor, but also the Eight Immortals, the Buddha, the Yama King, images of dragons, or even famous dead people, such as John F. Kennedy or Marilyn Monroe. They are sold in packs of 30 to 50 bills, wrapped in cellophane.
Consideration when using Hell Bank Notes
Although in Western eyes Hell Bank Notes may look like toys or superstitious items, there are considerations concerning the use of Hell Bank Notes that Chinese people take seriously.
It is not advised to give a Hell Bank Note to a living person as a gift (even as a joke); it is often considered as wishing the person's death - a grave insult to that person in Chinese tradition. Hell Bank Notes are usually kept places nobody can see (e.g. cupboards), as having these notes around in the house is considered bad luck.
When burning the notes, the notes are treated as they would be treated with real money: they are not casually tossed into the fire, but instead placed respectfully in a loose bundle. This practice is an extension of the superstition that burning real money brings bad luck.
See also
External links
Anthropology | Death customs | Religious behaviour and experience | Chinese traditional religion | Luck
"Hell Bank Notes"