Taiwanese High School's Graduation Ceremony Sparks Debate Over 'Ghost Paper' Tradition

A creative graduation ceremony at a high school in Tainan took an unexpected turn when confetti cannons were used to shower the audience with "ghost paper," creating a dramatic visual effect of yellow paper fluttering through the air. The spectacle generated significant excitement among attendees.

However, the unconventional celebratory act has drawn a warning from Feng Shui master Yang Deng-ke. He explained that "ghost paper," also known as "huang gu qian" or "yellow ancient money," is traditionally used as currency in the underworld. Sprinkling it, he cautioned, is akin to scattering money and could attract "good brothers" – spirits seeking to snatch the offerings, potentially leading to bad luck or spiritual entanglement.

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Sprinkling冥紙 (ghost paper) is like scattering money, which may attract good brothers to snatch money.

Yang elaborated that "ghost paper" has two main uses in folk customs: as "ya mu qian" (money to press down graves) during tomb-sweeping rituals, symbolizing roof tiles, or as "mai lu qian" (road toll) thrown by deities during processions for unseen beings to ensure safe passage. He advised that individuals with weakened luck, such as those experiencing bad luck, illness, lack of sleep, or even those who have consumed alcohol, are more susceptible to spiritual "hitchhiking" if they encounter such rituals.

In response to the concerns, the school clarified that the students' use of the paper was intended solely to create a memorable experience before their graduation. They emphasized that the act was driven by a desire for fun and creativity, devoid of any malicious or religious intentions. The school aims to foster a positive and memorable graduation for its students.

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Students were aiming to create lasting memories before graduation, purely out of fun and creativity, without any malicious or religious intent.