Hell money is a form of joss paper printed to resemble legal tender bank notes. This faux money has been in use since at least the late 19th century and possibly much earlier. Early 20th century examples took the resemblance of minor commercial currency of the type issued by businesses across China until the mid-1940s. The notes are not an officially recognized currency or legal tender since their sole intended purpose is to be offered as burnt-offerings to the deceased as often practiced by the Chinese and several East Asian cultures. The identification of this type of joss paper as "hell bank notes" or "hell money" and singling them out is largely a western phenomenon, since these items are simply regarded as yet another form of joss paper in East Asian cultures and have no special name or status.

• Joss paper money notes Chinese heaven hell money notes
• 1st Hell Bank Note: Paper: 25 inch x 11.8 inch (Super Giant!) 2nd Hell Bank Note: Paper: 18.75 inch x 9.25 inch 3rd Hell Bank Note: Paper: 17.2 inch x 9.8 inch 4th Hell Bank Note: Paper: 17 inch x 9.2 inch 5th Hell Bank Note: Paper: 17.2 inch x 10.6 inch
• 1 set 108 sheets: 1st Hell Bank Note: 18 sheets 2nd Hell Bank Note: 25 sheets 3rd Hell Bank Note: 20 sheets 4nd Hell Bank Note: 25 sheets 5th Hell Bank Note: 20 sheets
• These hell bank notes feature an image of the Jade Emperor, the presiding monarch of heaven in Taoism.
• The notes are used to burn for the 'Hell Gods,' offering them monetary distraction so they will leave mortals at peace. They are also commonly burned as offerings for ancestors and requests for blessings of prosperity and good fortune.

Joss paper money notes Chinese heaven hell money notesValuedTrade