Because they are made from dense, coarse bamboo pulp, these bundles are frequently sold by weight (such as 1/2 lb or 1 lb packs) to ensure you have a generous amount for burning. Traditional Joss Paper serves as a vital bridge for honoring ancestors and ensuring their comfort in the afterlife. ________________________________________ 🔎 Understanding the Package Options When shopping for a 1/2 lb bundle, you will generally run into two primary styles of traditional paper: • Gold Foil Paper (Yuen Po / Jin Zhi): These bamboo sheets feature a brilliant gold foil square stamped in the center. They are traditionally dedicated to deities, higher gods, and highly revered ancestors to request blessings of prosperity and longevity. • Silver Foil Paper (Yin Zhi): These sheets feature a silver foil square. They are strictly used as ancestor money for the recently deceased, spirits, and ghosts during funerals, death anniversaries, or the Hungry Ghost Festival. ________________________________________ 💡 Traditional Practices & Ritual Tips • Folding for Wealth: While you can burn the sheets flat, it is custom to fold the bamboo paper into the 3D shape of gold or silver ingots (Yuanbao). This transforms the raw paper into a high-value currency representation for the spirit world. • Intentional Dedication: Before transferring the money to the flames, it is customary to mentally or quietly state who the offering is for so the spiritual funds reach the intended recipient. • Outdoor Burning: Because traditional bamboo joss paper is coarse, it produces a distinct smoky scent and plenty of ash. Always burn them outdoors in a designated metal bin, pot, or fireplace and ensure the fire is completely extinguished when finished