Hell Money and Honoring Our Ancestors

Many cultures participate in some sort of ancestor veneration; or honoring of their ancestors. This is something that I do as well. 

Ancestor Altars

Part of honoring the ancestors involves setting up a specific altar or shrine for them. This may be set up on a small table or shelf in your home. You'll want to include a white candle, a glass of water, some incense, and photos of your loved ones. 

Some other items that you may include would be any items that they may have liked when they were alive: a treasured watch or an item that belonged to them. If you don't have anything like that, you could always use something that they would have liked. One example might be if your grandmother enjoyed sewing, you may keep a small sewing kit on the altar. 

Offerings

As part of honoring them, we may also leave offerings on a regular basis. Some offerings might be incense or Florida Water. We can also leave food and libation. I often leave alcohol in a small shot glass and will at times leave some sort of food. 

But there's something else that might be important to add to your offerings! And that is HELL MONEY. This is also known by other names such as Ancestor Money, Heaven Money, Joss Paper Money and a few other names! 

So what is this Hell Money? 

Well, it's faux paper money in a multitude of denominations that are burned as offerings to your ancestors. It often has the image of the Jade emperor on the bill. This is a higher god in the Taoist pantheon and is considered to be the deity who is in charge of ALL of the money in the world. 

Well, why would they need money???

It is thought that when our ancestors cross over they bring with them their debts and that energy is then distributed among the living. So, burning the money allows the ancestors to dissolve any negative debt or debt karma. It also allows them to have an easier time on the other side. 

Do you honor your ancestors with an ancestor altar or shrine? Have you ever burnt Ancestor Money for them? Do you think that by offering Hell Money, your ancestors may be able to assist you better? If so, I would love to hear your thoughts!

~ Heather

Find me on the web at Raven Haze Healing and Divination and on Facebook. Wanting a more discussion oriented group? Check out my closed group on Facebook as well: Raven Haze Group