Hell Money
Hell Money
What the Hell?
In China, the word
Hell doesn't carry the same negative connotation as western Hell. The
popular story has it that zealous Christian missionaries warned all non-Christian
Chinese they'd "go to Hell" upon death. True or not, it sounds plausible.
In a classic case of
misinterpretation, the Chinese believed Hell was the English term for
the Afterlife. The word was incorporated and printed on the traditional
Chinese Afterlife Monetary Offerings, otherwise known as Hell Bank Notes.
Some refer to the notes as Spirit Money.
I love the denominations. This first set shows the highest dollar amount I've found yet: $8 billion.
What's It Made From?
Hell Bank Notes come
bundled in various numbers, depending on the currency. The paper ranges from smooth
and thin to coarse and thick. The huge denomination notes were printed on low-grade
paper — cardboard-like in consistency — such as this $2 billion note.
It doesn't matter, as
they're made to be burned. The Chinese believe that when someone dies, his spirit goes
to the afterlife, where it lives on, doing much the same things it did in life. Surviving
relatives want to send gifts to make the afterlife as comfortable as possible. Aside from
intricate paper objects such as houses, cars, clothing, watches, mobile phones,
appliances and even domestic helpers, Hell Bank Notes are most popular. Burning sends
them on their way.
How Is It Used?
The two most traditional
times of year to burn Hell Bank Notes are during
Ching Ming (The Festival of Pure Brightness) and
Yue Laan (The Hungry Ghosts Festival).
Another delivery method is to toss it in the air during the funeral procession or leave it on the grave of the deceased any time one desires. A dead person needs some spending cash, right? Some believe burning Hell Money distracts evil spirits that would take the other goodies for themselves if given the chance. While they chase the cash, the valuable goods pass in safety to the intended relative.
What kills me is the notes
come in such a huge variety of denominations: everything from one cent up to billions of
dollars. This means one of two things: either everyone in the afterworld is wealthy beyond
imagination, or inflation is staggering. Maybe the dead need a single $1 billion bill to buy a
loaf of bread; rather like the 1923 German Reichsmark. Ouch!
Who's The Guy In The Hat?
Common on the faces
of all Hell Bank Notes is the image of the Emperor of the Afterworld: the
Lord of Hell.
Legend has it he was once a living Chinese Emperor. As a reward for his great leadership, he earned the right to reign over the afterworld. He's shown wearing a beard and a flat-topped hat with beads hanging from the front and back.
The backs of the notes
vary. They will depict a pavilion or pagoda, with tiled roofs. This may be the Bank of
Hell, or just a temple.
Sometimes these buildings are adorned with dragons or foo-dogs, and sometimes only the animals appear.
Foo Dogs are ancient,
sacred animals with the appearance of a lion; their duty is to guard Buddhist temples.
Foo Dogs are not just the protectors of sacred buildings, they're placed in front of government buildings, businesses, homes and estates to frighten away evil spirits. Perhaps they are guarding the Bank of Hell.
Most bills carry the
words Hell Bank Note. The more inventive state the notes are printed
by The Hell Bank Corporation, or The Sky and Earth Corporation
Limited.
Only the fronts of these notes are shown, as their backs are identical to the three already shown.
How Do The Notes Differ?
Most of the Hong Kong-made notes are
colourful and pretty. Some notes make an attempt to look like real money, with serial
numbers, signatures and bank chops.
The notes vary in size.
The $8 billion note measures a hefty 13.5 x 6.5 inches, while the $1 million note is a
more normal 6.5 x 3.5 inches.
Many notes are fanciful and filled with loads of Chinese symbolism. 
The $50,000 note depicts a carp with a golden
bowl strapped to its back. The bowl is filled with traditional Chinese gold ingots,
polished red coral and ancient gold coins.
The carp is special
because the Chinese word for fish sounds similar to have something
left over (meaning extra spending cash). Often the carp will be shown in pairs or
being held by children: symbols of good luck.
Sometimes the notes are
made to mimic U.S. currency. These are amusing, not because the listed amount is TEN
TIIOLSWD DOLLNRS, but because I'm certain that ain't Alexander Hamilton.
The line art on the back
is nice. It would make a good-looking back for real money, but I doubt the United States
would use it.
What About The Lower Denominations?
This $500 note is
based upon real Hong Kong currency, in its shades of brown
and in its choice of numerals. Instead of showing the temple on the back, this
note has it on the face.
The reverse is different.
For some reason it's in shades of red and bears no resemblance to existing Hong Kong
$500 bank notes. It leans toward the $100 note in likeness.
The $100 note multiplies
the Emperor of the Afterworld. Considering the word for four is a homonym
of the Chinese word for death, which is viewed as bad luck, it's odd the
note was drawn with four Lords of Hell.
On the other hand, this
is money for dead people, it may not have been a mistake. Maybe the
Emperor became bored and made three copies of himself to get up a game of mah
jong.
This $50 note differs from
the $100 bill in that one of the quartet has vanished. Were they wearing sombreros they
could pass for a mariachi band.
I don't know who drew
the reverse of this note, but like the mariachi, he must have been knocking back the
tequila; those have to be the silliest-looking foo-dogs I've ever seen.
The $10 note returns to
a more colourful state. It depicts three more common themes in Hell Bank Notes, that of
the junk, the phoenix and a pair of thistles. The phoenix is said to foretell good luck.
Though the bank
of the note is drab, it features another common element, that of the Ch'i
Lin, sometimes known as the dragon horse. It's said to promote
luck, prosperity, success, longevity and best of all, grand success to one's descendants.
In a sense, burning Hell Bank Notes with this creature on them should result in a
boomerang of blessings — should you be the descendant, that is.
Where Can I Find Hell Money?
Check Chinese stores in any major city. If they don't carry it, chances are they'd know where you could get it. If you live in a smaller town, you'll have a more difficult time locating it.
By now you should have a good feel for Hell Bank Notes. Whenever you encounter them, you'll recognise them.
And if someone ever tells you to go to Hell, you can tell them you're looking forward to it.