Taiwan Folk Art Tour
Joss paper, sometimes called “ghost money” or “spirit money,” is paper burned during religious rites to honor ancestors and venerate deities. Nowadays, it represents an artwork of Taiwan traditional culture.
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Embark on this tour to learn about the Taiwanese art and tradition of joss paper. Also known as "ghost money," the paper plays an important role in spiritual practices and represents a Taiwanese folk art. Get the chance to make your own joss paper on this enlightening excursion.
Start your day with pickup in Taipei and an easy drive out into the countryside to a small bamboo-growing village. Joss paper is typically made with a bamboo base, and here you can learn the most traditional methods of creating it from knowledgeable locals. In the village, take the opportunity to make your own joss paper from scratch, following ancient processes that also help calm and focus the mind as you immerse yourself in them.
Once your creation is dried, take it with you as you journey on to meet a craftsman skilled in the art of stamping joss paper. Learn about the significance of different designs, including ones that can be used as currency in the afterlife, and watch the expert imprint your paper with a beautiful red-ink image. Finally, bring your finished joss paper to a temple boasting the tallest Mazu goddess statue in the world, where you can honor ancestors and venerate deities by burning it as an offering.
Follow our friends and immense yourself in the bamboo village and hear their stories.
From the beginning, we will follow the locals to a place called "zhi liao wo" that used to be the biggest bamboo-making village from one clan family. Bamboo is the base material of joss paper and you'll see them grow to immense heights along this trial.
Make your own bamboo paper !
Here, we will follow the locals to make our own paper materials in the most tradition method; experiencing the knowledge of our ancestor. This paper-making method has a deeper meaning of serenity and focus. We will immerse ourselves in this experience and slowly make a unique sheet of paper with all our attention.
Stamp blessing pattern on your joss paper
Bring your hand-made bamboo paper and keep up with your journey! Our friend -- Chang Yang has immersed himself in the mysterious joss paper industry for more than thirty years, and is the sole expert in Taiwan. Chang Yang is an artist by heart and has been designing joss paper stamps (it's technically a totem) for decades as well. By imprinting these totems on joss paper, it signifies the birth of a joss paper and there are many totem designs; all carrying different meanings!
Offer incense in veneration and burn an offering to GOD for blessings.
Burning joss paper to honor our ancestors and venerate deities.It's our way to communicate to the GOD through the joss paper.It's the most important thing in calming mind.The height of the biggest Ma Zhu in the world is 45 meters
Inclusion
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Guided joss paper tour and lesson in Taiwan
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All necessary materials
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Lunch
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Round trip transportation to and from your central Taipei hotel
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Live tour commentary provided in English