Afterlife paper Lotus flower burnt for the deceased.
I used to fold paper ingots and lotuses for my grandmother in preparation for Qing Ming Festival. Even now I can still remember the scent of the thin yellow paper, its ink lingering on my fingertips after hours of folding. There is a certain satisfaction in transforming a block of paper into a pile of yellow and gold ingots. As we burn the folded ingots and flowers in the temple or grave, the objects are transferred by flames to our ancestors in hopes that it will help them to pay off their karmic debt and be able to enjoy a comfortable afterlife.
Joss paper, 金纸 (Jīn zhǐ) is also known as Spirit money, Ghost money or Hell paper. It plays a huge role in Chinese funerals, Qing Ming festivals and Hungry Ghost Festivals. Traditionally, these papers are burnt as offerings to the deceased as an act of filial piety to make sure that our deceased ancestors are comfortable in the afterlife. The papers come in many shape and forms and they are often folded into ingots, lotuses, clothings or even elaborate mansions to help the deceased live a comfortable life in the spirit realm or to bribe the officials in the afterlife for safe passage to heaven or rebirth.
This illustration was created for Light Grey Art Lab's "The end is Nigh" gallery exhibition.
It is also accepted into Illustration West 60th Annual art competition.
It is also accepted into Illustration West 60th Annual art competition.
