What are Hell Notes?

Hell banknotes (aka Hell notes) are a virtual currency used in Asian tradition in rites concerning  the dead. Hell notes have no earthly  monetary value. Historically this currency was made of coarse, hand-pressed paper, maybe embossed with a wisp of gold leaf or a crude woodblock print. These days China is brimming in "hell banknotes" strangely reminiscent of Hong Kong dollar bills, complete with copperplate flutes and scrolls, auspicious serial numbers, and pompous bank manager signatures. You can turn the script into negotiable netherworld tender by burning it at gravesite. Or else you can roll the banknotes into spindly paper spirit trees to plant at your family tomb.

Many of the Hell Notes are very colourful and very beautifully made. They can vary in denomination with the largest and highest denomination being 1 Billion Yuan. Almost all Hell Notes have the traditional God of Hell (Keeper of the Gate and Judge) on the front and the Bank of Hell on the back. The Bank of Hell is run by the Buddhist God of Money and appears on some Hell Notes. Most of the  available Hell notes fall into one of three categories: Traditional, Political and Hyper-inflation. Older hell notes are particularly sought after by collector's and are becoming increasingly more difficult to find. Any note with lucky symbols including the number "8" are also considered more auspicious and collectable.

Why are they named Hell Bank Notes?

Buddhist priests provided a particular inexpensive currency that was produced for burning at funerals. Christian missionaries working in China  created the derogatory term Hell to frighten new converts into submission. One  of the tenets of Buddhism is ancestor worship. The use of Hell on the notes was a defiant message to the Christians that did not understand the desirable nature of the burning ceremony. To the Buddhist mind, Hell is not an evil place ran by The Devil, rather it is an inbetween place of learning and a place for the  spirit waiting to be reborn. The use of fire rituals in order to contact  relatives who have gone through the gate (portal of light) has long been used.

How long have Hell Banknotes been used in China?

The Chinese have been making offerings of money to the dead as part of their Buddhist beliefs for more than 2000 years. The priests began to sell gold and silver coloured paper that would please the spirits yet not be stolen by the  living which could be burned. A Buddhist ritual was established to transmit the  gift to the dead by burning the offering accompanied by chants, prayer and meditation.

Why are there such large denominations of Hell Banknotes?

The larger the denomination burned, the more desire for contact and the  more purchasing power the loved person in hell has with the gift offered. In Chinese traditional culture, when someone departs and goes to the afterlife, or later in memory of their birthday and day of death, loved ones burn these kinds of banknotes for them. This allows the dead to have spending money in Hell. When everything is going well, the dead may then pass relatives and friends bliss, fortune and luck. All the provinces in China make different Hell banknotes. These Hell banknotes are also burned on the Chinese New Year.

In the western world arguments about money are one of the major reasons for divorce, therefore the burning of money is often used ritually to cleanse the spirit of greed.

What are Political Hell Notes?

Political hell notes came out of Vietnam in 1964. Most of the Chinese living in Vietnam at that time belonged to the merchant class and were importers, business people and store owners. These consists of a set of the 7  notes (one hell note for each day of the week), including the 7 great leaders of the world during the time period of the individual’s death.

This set of notes express the thought that all of these leader's spirits may end up in Hell, because of their cruel activities and the deaths of  innocent people. The inclusion of the God of Hell Note was to become a friend of  the God of Hell. There is also a God of Money in Hell who runs the Bank of Hell and disperses the money.

We have a great range of Hell notes, modern and old, and can always advise about collecting and valuing these intriguing items. Maybe you are just looking for a single note to start a collection, or are looking for a particular type of note? In all events we will try to help you. Aditionally, we specialise in exotic banknotes or all types and other rare paper ephemera.

Currently, all of our stock is listed at the Andale Gallery, which is linked to Ebay. Just click on the Andale button to browse around. Remember, you can purchase at any time, day or night, and there is no surcharge for using Paypal or Nochex. All banknotes are sent in secure, stiff card-backed envelopes and we always combine items when possible to save you shipping costs.

Any questions? Don’t be afraid to ask! Drop as a line at:

mailto:[email protected]