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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 European 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 (''Yen Loo Yu Wong'', or ''Yuk Wong''). 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 . These missionaries claimed that non-converted Chinese folks were all "going to Hell" when they died. The Chinese at the time believed that the word "Hell" was the proper English term for the Chinese Afterlife , and hence adopted the word. Furthermore, in Chinese Mythology , all who die will automatically enter the underworld (trad. 地獄, simp. 地狱; lit. "Hell") 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

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The most well known and commonly sold Hell Note is the $10,000 Greenback , styled after the United States Federal Reserve Note . The serial number on all Hell Bank greenbacks is simply JO23456.

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 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.
  • Never 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.

  • Keep the Hell Bank Notes in a place nobody can see it e.g. cupboard. Having these notes around in the house is considered bad luck.

  • When burning the notes, treat them as you would real money: do not casually toss in the fire, instead place them respectfully, and be sure the notes are in a loose bundle. This practice is an extension of the superstition that burning real money brings bad luck.



SEE ALSO



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