Joss paper

Joss paper

　　In traditional Chinese culture, joss paper serves purposes such as praying to heaven, harmonizing the five elements, and communicating with spirits. Scenes of joss paper flying through the air are common during ancestral worship or religious ceremonies. Taiwan’s sacrificial culture was inherited from the Fujian and Guangdong regions, and the tradition of using joss paper also crossed the sea along with it. To this day, it remains enduring and has long become an integral part of everyday life. Joss paper can be roughly divided into three categories based on use: “gold paper” for worshiping deities, “silver paper” for honoring ancestors and appeasing spirits, and “special ritual money” for dispelling disasters and misfortune. Block printing is a fascinating aspect of joss paper craftsmanship, with a wide variety of patterns and text depicting scenes of the netherworld. The abundance of designs, full of simple and unadorned beauty, resembles a microcosm of everyday life and faith. In addition, larger or multi-colored joss papers are often completed using a stamping technique, akin to the art of folk woodblock prints. From today’s perspective, they hold considerable value for appreciation and collection. (Miaoli County)