When Lai Yoong and I were at the Kuan Yin Temple in Ayer Tawar, we joined a few of the volunteers who were there to fold Joss Paper as offerings for the Goddess. The Joss paper may be folded into specific shapes which are meant to bring on good luck. There is a tendency for worshippers to burn lavish amounts to ensure that the offering is well received. Joss paper is folded into shapes like a crown or the shape of gold ingots before being burned in an earthenware pot or a specially built chimney.
These people had very nimble hands and were able to fold different shaped offerings with great speed. The pieces that they folded were also very neat and well-shaped.
I can only fold the very simple shapes but they are not too neatly done. I hang my head in shame.
INFORMATION ABOUT JOSS PAPER
Joss paper (simplified Chinese: 金纸; traditional Chinese: 金紙; pinyin: jīnzhǐ; literally "gold paper", traditional Chinese: 陰司紙; pinyin: yīnsīzhǐ, traditional Chinese: 紙錢; pinyin: zhǐqián, or simplified Chinese: 冥币; traditional Chinese: 冥幣; pinyin: míng bì; literally "shade/dark money" / Vietnamese: vàng mã in the North or giấy tiền vàng bạc in the South), also known as ghost money, are sheets of paper that are burned in traditional Chinese deity or ancestor worship ceremonies during special holidays. Joss paper, as well as other papier-mâché items, are also burned in traditional Chinese funerals, to ensure that spirit of the deceased has lots of good things in the afterlife
A number of superstitions surround joss paper in Asian society. As a general rule, you should never give joss paper to a living person, because this is viewed as highly offensive, and joss paper is also kept concealed when it is stored at home, because it is supposed to bring down bad luck when left on display. Joss paper should never be used for anything other than its intended purpose, and while Westerners may be tempted to use it for decorating, they should be aware that Asian guests may be offended or feel uncomfortable when joss paper is on display, as it is associated with death.
No comments:
Post a Comment