The Evolution of Joss Paper: From "100 Million Yuan Notes" to "Underworld Credit Cards" - Cross-Border Innovation
03 Dec 2025
At the archaeological site of Yinxu in Henan, archaeologists once discovered dozens of cowrie shells in the tomb of a Shang Dynasty nobleman, a simple expression of the ancient human concept of "treating the deceased as the living". In the murals of the Mogao Grottoes in Dunhuang, scenes of Wei and Jin Dynasty monks burning rough yellow paper confirm the ritual revolution where paper money gradually replaced real currency. From the knife-shaped and spade-shaped coins in the Warring States tombs to the 100 million yuan notes printed with "Heaven and Earth Bank" in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, every iteration of joss paper hides the deepest concern of humans for their deceased loved ones - and now, this concern is sparking a cross-border innovation boom overseas in the form of "underworld credit cards".
The "Underworld Financial Set" launched this year quickly climbed to the top three on the bestseller list of worship supplies shortly after its launch on Amazon, and comments from overseas users have refreshed people's perception of joss paper. This set, which breaks with tradition, not only includes the classic "Heaven and Earth Bank" 100 million yuan notes but also features innovative designs adapted to modern life: "Underworld Checks" with handwritten amounts, with blank spaces for the ancestor's name. Many users said, "It's like paying a salary to a loved one, with accurate amounts and heartfelt care"; "Underworld Credit Cards" printed with silver chip patterns, with traditional cloud patterns on the card surface and bilingual Chinese-English logos of "Globally Accepted". Mr. Wang, a Chinese in Los Angeles, joked, "My dad loved paying with credit cards when he was alive. This design allows him to keep his habits in the other world"; the most ritualistic part is the supporting "Deposit Receipt", where the deposit amount and date are filled in before burning. After burning, the ashes are put into a custom envelope marked "Ancestor's Exclusive Deposit Certificate", making the worship process more engaging.
The most touching innovations are hidden in the scenario-specific sets. The team has designed exclusive versions for loved ones with different occupations and hobbies: a "Underworld Business License + Financial Statement" set for business elders, with fillable "turnover" on the statements; a "Peaches and Plums Fill the World" stationery set for teacher ancestors, paired with joss paper printed with formulas and verses; and the "Underworld Stock Account" set, which has sparked heated discussions overseas. Mark, an American customer, wrote in his feedback: "My dad was a Wall Street trader who never missed checking the market every day. When I burned this stock account set, I filled in the codes of his favorite stocks. When my son asked what I was doing, I told him 'Grandpa is still managing his investments over there'."
These seemingly whimsical innovations actually stem from a deep insight into the essence of worship. After surveying more than 30,000 overseas Chinese families, the team found that the core demand of modern worship has long evolved from "sending money to ancestors" to "continuing the living habits of loved ones". Ms. Li in New York customized a "Underworld Medical License" set for her mother, a doctor, with a replica of her mother's signature on the license; Xiao Zhang, an international student in London, burned a "Global Travel Set" for his grandmother who loved traveling. The joss paper was printed with landmarks from around the world, accompanied by a "Underworld Travel Guide" card - "Grandma always said she never went to Paris. Now I've prepared both 'travel expenses' and a 'guide' for her."
The popularity in the cross-border market further confirms the commonality of emotional expression. In Europe, "Underworld Credit Cards" printed with euro symbols have become the first choice for international students. They said, "This way, ancestors can recognize both Eastern totems and local currency"; in Southeast Asia, "Underworld Checks" paired with Buddhist lotus patterns have seen a surge in sales. Local Chinese feedback: "Elders can tell it's from their family when they see the lotus pattern." More unexpectedly, many non-Chinese users have also joined in. German blogger Lisa showed the "Underworld Engineer Certificate" set she burned for her grandfather in a video. She said, "Whether in the East or the West, remembering the occupation and hobbies of loved ones is the best way to honor them."
From Shang Dynasty cowrie shells to "underworld credit cards", the form of joss paper has changed, but the original intention of "hoping loved ones live well in the other world" has never changed. When the ashes of the "Underworld Stock Account" rise and the flames of the "Underworld Credit Card" flicker, we suddenly realize: the evolution of worship is never a subversion of tradition, but a way closer to the times to keep longing "always online". Those joss papers printed with chips and stock codes carry not only the imagination of material comfort but also the ultimate respect for the preferences of loved ones, transcending life and d
Interactive Topic: If you designed a personalized spirit money for a loved one, what element would you add? Their hobby, catchphrase, or unfinished wish? Share below
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