I found this alternate bird series while passing a joss paper shop. I was so tickled by it that I just had to buy the set. I later gave them to a visiting sister from Europe. She said her friends there would be tickled pink by these Hell Bank notes. They would buy actually buy them back as souvenirs whenever they visited Singapore or elsewhere, like SF or HK. The people there were not as "pang tang" as we are about that here.
Funerary items makers seldom get credit for the creative stuff they put out. In this case, I think the designer ought to be applauded for his/her sense of humour and artistic skill.
There should be a formal ceremony to launch such first day covers at the start of Qing Ming.
Hell Bank notes do have a history. Earlier ones always feature the chairman of the Hell Bank, the Emperor of the Afterworld. I think he was an actual emperor of China when he was alive. Not many people can boast of career continuity after death.
Here are some interesting pics.
http://www.luckymojo.com/hellmoney.html
You know what, maybe I should start a hobby collecting these Hell Bank notes. They are probably the only thing I can bring along after this life. No Modesty comics, no cookbooks, no SF books. The collection might serve as a conversation starter or ice-breaker; even a bribe. But by then, maybe these notes will no longer be legal tender. What to do? Maybe there are Hell Bank bonds to buy. Now, that's something to consider to ensure a comfortable afterlife. Anybody know a good dead bondbroker?
