In Malaysia, Korea, Japan, Dubai (among Chinese diaspora), and especially Taiwan, students often burn fake money—joss paper or “hell bank notes”, before exams. Though it may seem like mere superstition, the ritual is deeply rooted in cultural practice and psychological coping mechanisms. As exam pressure mounts, students tap into an ancient tradition to find mental readiness, emotional support, and a symbolic gesture of hope.
Ancestral Origins of the Ritual
The ritual’s origins date back centuries to ancestral worship. Joss paper, originally representing wealth, supplies, and even luxury items, were burned during funerals and festivals like Qingming or the Ghost Festival to send offerings to deceased ancestors (Claudio Sieber Photography, n.d.). Historical texts indicate this practice flourished during the Song Dynasty (960–1127 CE), when paper production enabled wide-scale ritual offerings. Believers maintain that when these papers burn, they transform into resources for ancestors in the spirit realm.
A Modern Tradition with Cultural Permanence
Over time, joss paper consumption transcended formal ceremonies to become embedded in everyday life. In Taiwan alone, temples earned approximately US $400 million from joss paper sales in 2014, demonstrating the practice’s cultural permanence (Taiwan Today, 2025). Among Chinese communities in Malaysia and Dubai, burning spirit money remains an integral part of holiday and family-centered traditions. In Korea and Japan, it tends to occur in more niche contexts, practiced by those engaged with Chinese-influenced Taoist or Buddhist customs.
Rituals of Academic Hope
Amid the stress of exams, students have adapted this ritual for modern needs. In Taiwan, exam preparation often begins with visits to temples, shrines, or family altars. There, students light incense, burn stacks of joss paper, and recite prayers requesting mental clarity, calm, and good fortune. Similar ceremonies take place among Chinese-heritage students in Malaysia and Dubai, often organized by tutoring centers or families. These are not isolated acts; they are community events, an expression of collective hope.
Why the Ritual Endures
This ritual endures for three core reasons. First, it provides psychological comfort. The process of folding and burning joss paper transforms nebulous exam anxiety into deliberate action, offering a semblance of control. Second, it carries symbolic heft: though no flame can literally ensure success, the gesture represents serious emotional and spiritual investment. Third, it fosters communal solidarity: gathering to perform the ritual enhances shared purpose and unity, countering academic isolation.
The Environmental and Health Toll
However, the environmental and health costs of this tradition are significant. In Taiwan, the air pollution impact of joss paper burning is well-documented. A study by Academia Sinica’s Environmental Research Center revealed that PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀ levels around temple areas can spike between five and sixteen times above normal household conditions on ritual days (Crook, 2022). The Taiwanese EPA reported that in 2016 alone, nearly 195,000 tonnes of joss paper were burned, requiring approximately 24 trees per tonne. Research confirms that burning releases harmful compounds like sulfur oxides, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide, benzene, formaldehyde, and carcinogenic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, along with heavy metals such as copper, lead, zinc, and cadmium, hazardous to respiratory and overall health (Gian et al., 2020).
Greener Rituals for a Sustainable Future
In light of these implications, eco-conscious communities and authorities have begun promoting green initiatives. Taiwan has introduced smokeless burners, covered incinerators, and digital joss paper paired with QR-code donations. Other regions like Malaysia, Hong Kong, and Singapore encourage simpler, recyclable offerings or charitable substitutes. These measures aim to preserve the ritual’s emotional and cultural significance while mitigating pollution.
The Meaning Beyond the Material
Beyond environmental impact, this evolution signals a deeper insight: rituals derive their power from meaning, not material form. Educational institutions can leverage this by offering alternative symbolic ceremonies: intention-setting gatherings, communal affirmations, planting focus trees, or releasing lanterns. When supported by mental-health resources such as meditation sessions, counseling, and peer groups, these symbolic acts can replicate the benefits of traditional rituals—stress relief, focus, solidarity, without environmental harm.
Where Tradition Meets Transformation: Study at Chinese Culture University
For students intrigued by how tradition adapts to modern challenges, Chinese Culture University (CCU) in Taipei offers the perfect launchpad. As a top institution in cultural studies and environmental sociology, CCU allows students to explore rituals like joss paper burning through hands-on research in religious practice, environmental policy, and community engagement.
More than just academics, CCU champions student wellness and sustainability. Initiatives like eco-friendly campus rituals, wellness networks, and temple partnerships empower students to shape traditions that are both meaningful and mindful of today’s world.
Looking to study where heritage and innovation come together? Through Study in Asia, you can explore CCU and other top universities committed to culture, research, and real-world impact. Start your academic journey today at Study in Asia.
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