Chinese Praying Material – The Joss Sticks
Chinese Praying Material – The Joss Sticks
You’ve seen Chinese praying materials such as prayer wheels, which are circular or square in
shape. Joss Paper, on the other hand, is widely found in the form of prayer sticks and have
typically been used as a prayer medium for the ancestors and gods. Joss Paper may range from
grass, bamboo and reed to silk Jin Paper Malaysia, jade and porcelain. It can be easily made by mixing water and
baking soda or lemon.
Joss Stick Prayer Wheels have been traditionally used by the Chinese, especially those who are
Buddhists and Taoists. Some of their sacred sites including Kung Shan Monastery in Quing Ming
city, China, Kung Hei Temple in Kung Shan city, mining’s Buddhist Temple in Qi province, and
Ling Yuanfa Buddhist Temple in Wuyi town, are known to have used joss sticks. The Kung Hei
Temple, which is located at the center of Kung Shan city, was the first to use joss sticks. In the
Song dynasty, Emperor Wu Zong added a third stick to its collection.
Joss sticks are made of wood and are hollow inside. They are said to resemble the body of a
monkey. Legend has it that the first Chinese would use joss sticks to make offerings to the Jade
Buddha. Today, Chinese people commonly use joss sticks during their prayers and meditation to
pay homage to the Jade Buddha.
Joss Stick prayer wheels were considered very auspicious by early Chinese people. They were
mainly used to make amulets to protect them from evil spirits. They were also believed to bring
wealth and prosperity to one’s life. Joss sticks are also believed to ward off evil spirits and to
improve one’s intelligence. This is why Chinese people used joss sticks during the Tang Dynasty
to bring fortune to the emperor.
Today, joss sticks are mainly used during meditation and prayers. They are used to support the
minds of individuals who perform the dragon dance and they are also used for chanting. Most
joss sticks today are made of wood and are decorated with different decorations. However, there
are some made from plastics, as well.
Joss prayer wheels are available in many stores and shops in the U.S. The materials used for
manufacturing these items are mostly metal alloys with silver and gold plating. Some products
even come with original Chinese characters engraved on the exterior. However, there are some
other materials that are becoming popular as well. For example, plastic and metal alloys are
gaining popularity as well.
When shopping for a joss stick, always check the authenticity of the product. Make sure that you
are buying it from an authentic source. Also, ask the vendor if he can give you expert advice as
to how to maintain your prayer wheel.
There are a lot of Chinese manufacturers of prayer wheels. This is good news for consumers, as
this means that the prices are lower. You can also get your joss stick customized. Prayer wheels
made of plastic are widely available online and in many stores. Those made of metal alloys are
quite rare and hard to find.
Of course, you can also find Chinese prayer wheels made of other materials. Some of these
include coral and turquoise. These materials are not popular as they are not widely used in
Chinese culture. However, you can expect this type of joss stick to last longer. They can also
withstand regular wear and tear.
Chinese prayer wheels are traditionally made out of wood or bamboo. Wood is generally more
preferred because it is easier to work with. Bamboo is less expensive but it does not last as long.
Both materials are sturdy and can last a long time if they are properly maintained.
In addition to the materials used for the joss stick, you may also want to consider the decor that
you would like to add to it. A popular option is adding Chinese dragon figures. However, this
would be done if you have enough space. Otherwise, you can simply use any Chinese prayer
materials that you like.
You will notice that there are many different materials that are used for Chinese prayer wheels.
Each joss stick is unique and may represent a different meaning or culture. Hopefully, by now
you will be able to figure out which joss stick is right for you.
