金銀紙藝術 (The Art of Gold and Silver Offering Paper)

書名(Title): 金銀紙藝術 (The Art of Gold and Silver Offering Paper)
著者(Author): 張懿仁；羅漢章、謝其煚攝影(I-jen Chang; photos by Han-chang Lo, Chi-chu Hsieh)
出版者(Publisher): 苗栗縣：苗栗縣政府(Miaoli County：Miaoli County Government)
出版年(Publish Year): 1996年(1996)
頁數(Pages): 232頁(232 p.)

「燒金」為中國民間祭祀、信仰中最為普遍及熟悉的一部份，台灣地區在敬神祭祖時使用得非常普遍，由於使用繁多，以及現代社會的轉變，使得使用者往往不知如何使用而盲從。
本書為一未特別的書，專門介紹民間祭祀時不可或缺的金銀紙，而作者張懿仁小姐當時才高中畢業，在其父親張益銘的提攜、引導下，憑著一股熱愛與執著，歷經兩年對金銀紙藝術的研究，完成此一專門性的民俗報導專書。
書中介紹金銀紙的由來與普及，並以苗栗竹南為主，介紹金銀紙的製造重鎮—中港，敘述金銀紙傳統與現代的製作方式，將金銀紙依用途之不同，予以分類。最後介紹金銀紙的版畫藝術及燒金現況之綜論。中國燒金的由來，傳說從東漢蔡倫造紙開始，但見於史料記載則為魏晉南北朝之時。數百年來金銀紙的形式隨著時代而改變，燒金一直為中國人特殊的信仰及祭祀文化。而至現代社會，這種特殊的民俗才受到衝擊，如作者所言，時代變遷、環保意識抬頭、正信與迷信混淆，使得金銀紙受到現代社會質疑是否有必要存在的命運。因此在金銀紙產業外移及逐漸沒落之際，本書正可以為金銀紙之民俗文化留下珍貴的註解與紀錄。(賴忠勤)

Burning offering paper is the most common and familiar part of folk rituals in Taiwan. Gold and silver offering paper is seen in almost every commemorative services. Yet due to excessive usage and the modernization of society, more and more people find it difficult to make good use of the gold and silver offering papers.
The book is dedicated to introduce the gold and silver paper and the usage. When she wrote the book, the author has just graduated from senior high school. However, thanks to the support and instruction of her father, she completed the book on such a particular subject of folk custom in merely two years.
The book introduces the origin and prevalence of gold and silver offering paper. Focusing on the production center of gold and silver offering papers, Chungkang, the book depicts the tradition and modern production of the paper, which in the book is categorized by different usage. In the final part, the book deals with the woodcut art of the gold and silver offering paper and gives a general statement on its modern practice.
Legend has it that the custom of burning gold and silver offering paper derives from eastern Han dynasty, whereas historical documents spot the first application in Wei-jin era. Burning offering paper has long been the particular religious practice of Chinese people for centuries. But as the author points out in the book, the custom yet is greatly challenged nowadays due to the social changes, the awareness of environmental protection, and the confusion of religion and cult. As gold and silver offering paper is gradually fading away in modern times, this book is a valuable account of the particular folk custom. (Ellen Shunfen Chang)

Spirit Money in British Museum, London.

I went to British Museum, London last Tuesday (23 May 2006) for my final research project. On the second floor, room 68 is the room of World of Money and Money history. (http://www.thebritishmuseum.ac.uk/worldofmoney/index.html). I found one section is about Hell Bank note and some interesting things such as wooden printing plate, Hell Bank Cheque book etc. Below are some descriptions and pictures of spirit money (also history) which I copied them from British Museum.

This is a good way to collect my information about spirit money. In addition, I also went to China Town in London to collect the material such as spirit money, silver money etc. I went to many shops to find the materials..but I couldn't find anyone

However, I will ask friends (Malaysia/ Singapore) to send the materials to here. I also went to one book shop in Convert Garden to buy some FREE copyright pattern-books which are very useful in my this project.

Chinese Hell Money
A strong belief in the afterlife is found among Chinese communities throughout the world. It is important to respect one's ancestor and to keep them happy in the spirit world. One way is to seek the help of deities, usually Taoist. Another way is to send money, often imitation paper money which is burned in order to transfer the money from the human to the spirit world.

21. The design of 21 (above) as it would have appeared on the printed notes (below). Hell bank notes are offered to the dead in this temple in Penang, Malaysia. The ovens for burning the notes can be seen to the left infront of the temple.

22. 1 million dollar note issued by Hell Bank for offering to ancestor in the other world, Hong Kong, 1970s.

23. 10,000 dollar Hell Bank notes, bought in Penang, Malaysia in 1996, near to a temple where Hell money is burnt and sent to the ancestors. Given by Prof.N.KluBendorf

26-28. Cheque-book, paying in book and cheque card , all from The Hell Bank. In addition to the traditional forms of hell money, there are more modern versions of money for the other world, such as this package, purchased at a Chinese supermarket in London, 1994.
(26-28) Given by H.Wang

21. Wooden printing plate, entitled "Spiritual Treasure Money Note", China, 19th Century. This plate was probably made in order to mass produce notes to offer to the city God. This coins down the centre read "Circulating Treasure of Jade Emperor" alluding to the supreme Taoist deity. The text are also Taoist. The printing plate was altered in the early 20th century, for example to replace "Qing dynasty" with Republic.