The History of the Paper Offerings

1940s to 1950s: Since traditional funeral rites were common in Hong Kong, there was huge demand for paper offerings. Overseas Chinese living in Southeast Asia also needed paper offerings, therefore the income of paper offerings masters was good. Most paper offerings shops were family enterprises.

1960s to 1970s: During the Cultural Revolution in mainland China, old customs were denounced. Traditional funeral rites were also seen as old customs, many paper offerings masters thus left for Hong Kong.

1970s to 1980s: The rapid development of Hong Kong’s economy improved the livelihood of many people in Hong Kong. The experience of modernization means that people now tended to simplify the traditional funeral rites.

From the 1980s onwards: Hong Kong was transformed from an industrial city to a financial centre. The income in the paper offerings industry is relatively low, few people now want to join this industry, the whole industry is now dying out.