The story behind the papier-mâché shops

If you wander around lower Sai Ying Pun you will notice shops selling odd papier-mâché imitations of luxury bags, cars, iPhone and so on… These uncommon finds, which look like handy craft ‘decorations’, are actually papier-mâché offerings for late relatives, friends or beloved ones. In Taoism and Buddhism, they are used for different occasions. During festivals like Chinese New Year, shops will provide paper money, joss sticks and light red candles to bring good luck.
During a Taoist funeral, these different papers are used for releasing souls from purgatory and providing the deads with their daily needs in the afterlife. In fact, you can find all sorts of offerings from paper currency to computers and luxury cars, must-have of the 21st century!

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