Have you ever heard of money made just for the afterlife? In Chinese tradition, “is tang currency” – paper money created for the dead – plays a fascinating role in honoring ancestors and seeking good fortune. But what exactly is this special currency, and why is it burned during certain ceremonies? In this article, we’ll dive into its rich history, cultural meaning, and the beautiful rituals surrounding its use. Join us as we uncover the story behind this unique tradition!
The Tang Dynasty Currency: The Story of Kaiyuan Tongbao and Early Chinese Money
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The Tang dynasty (618-907 CE) is often remembered as a golden age in Chinese civilization—a period of cultural blossoming, economic prosperity, and international influence. At the heart of Tang society was a revolutionary and influential currency system that shaped not only China’s economic life but also the very fabric of everyday transactions across Asia. When people refer to “Tang currency,” they primarily mean the iconic Kaiyuan Tongbao coins and the emergence of early paper money. Let’s explore how Tang money evolved, its cultural meaning, and why it remains a fascinating element of China’s history.
The Origin and Evolution of Tang Currency
From Barter to Standard Coins
Before the Tang dynasty, China’s currency had undergone a long evolution, from primitive barter and cowrie shells to knife-shaped and spade-shaped coins, and finally to round cash coins. The immediate precursor to Tang currency was the Wu Zhu coin, which had been used continuously for over 700 years across many dynasties.
In 621 CE, soon after the founding of the Tang, Emperor Gaozu introduced sweeping changes to the monetary system. The new coin—inscribed with the four characters “Kaiyuan Tongbao” (meaning “Inaugural Circulating Treasure”)—marked a fresh start for imperial finances and commerce.
The Kaiyuan Tongbao: Design and Characteristics
The Kaiyuan Tongbao was not just another coin; it became the standard model for Chinese currency over the next millennium. The coin was circular with a square hole in the middle, a design deeply symbolic (representing heaven and earth) and practical (allowing coins to be strung together).
Innovations of the Kaiyuan Tongbao:
– Standardization: The coin’s weight, size, and alloy were carefully controlled, ensuring its value remained stable across the empire.
– Inscription: The inscription was crafted by the famous calligrapher Ouyang Xun, lending the currency both beauty and authority. For the first time, the legend used “Tongbao,” a term that would appear on almost all later Chinese coins.
– Metallurgy: The primary material was bronze, though variants in iron, silver, and gold existed for special occasions.
– Government Monopoly: Coin minting and copper mining were tightly controlled to maintain quality and trust.
Early Experiments with Paper Money: Flying Cash
The Tang era is also notable for a remarkable innovation—proto-paper money. From the late 8th century, the use of “Flying Cash” (Feiqian) emerged in response to the immense distances and commercial complexities of the growing empire. These early transfer drafts allowed merchants and officials to move large sums securely, avoiding the risk and burden of transporting heavy coin loads.
Cultural Meaning and Symbolism
Heaven, Earth, and Harmony
Much more than a medium of exchange, Tang coins embodied deep symbolism from Chinese cosmology:
– The circle symbolized heaven, while the square hole represented earth, emphasizing harmony between the spiritual and material realms.
– The use of fine calligraphy on coins was a nod to the importance of culture and art, even in everyday objects.
Wealth, Merit, and Status
Money was highly regarded not only for practical reasons but also as a symbol of status and good fortune. In Chinese sayings, having wealth could “make even ghosts turn millstones” (implying the power of money). Owning high-quality coins or being able to use “flying cash” signified one’s participation in the sophisticated economic and social life of the times.
Tang Currency in Daily Life and Traditions
Everyday Transactions and Social Life
Kaiyuan Tongbao coins enabled smoother and broader commerce, especially as cities became more vibrant centers of trade. Markets in the Tang capital, Chang’an, and other urban hubs thrived due to easier exchanges. Coins were often strung together in groups of 100 or 1,000 for large transactions.
Interestingly, cloth and silk continued to serve as alternative forms of currency, especially in rural areas and for larger payments like taxes. This coexistence reflects China’s layered economic culture—where tradition meets innovation.
Festivals, Rituals, and Gifts
Coins were not just commercial tools—they became intertwined with folk customs. In some traditions, coins were given as lucky charms, used in protective amulets, or woven into the decoration of clothing for children, a practice thought to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
The shape and inscriptions of Tang coins also influenced the design of lucky money and red envelopes (hongbao) given at New Year celebrations and weddings—customs that would flourish in later dynasties.
Variations, Types, and Related Concepts
Official Tang Coins
- Kaiyuan Tongbao (开元通宝): The main standard coin, circulated for nearly the entire Tang dynasty. Its quality and legend set the standard for centuries.
- Qianfeng Yuanbao (乾封元宝): Issued later in the dynasty, but never surpassed the Kaiyuan in usage or prestige.
Special Issues and Materials
While most coins were bronze or brass, versions made of iron, silver, and even gold were minted in smaller numbers for ceremonial or high-value purposes. The existence of these rarer coins illustrates the fascination with precious metals and the adaptation to local resource constraints.
Early Paper Currency: Flying Cash
“Flying Cash” was not banknotes as we know them today, but more like a promissory note—a guarantee of payment, authenticated by official seals. It laid a foundation for the later Song dynasty’s full-featured paper currency and showcased Chinese administrative ingenuity.
Celebrations and Legacy Today
Collecting and Display
Authentic Tang coins, especially those in excellent condition or made of precious metals, are prized finds for collectors and archaeologists. Today, they are common exhibits in museums and are often reproduced for decorative purposes. Tang coin replicas sometimes appear in feng shui practices or festival decorations to symbolize prosperity, cultural continuity, and harmonious energy.
Influence on Asian Monetary Systems
Tang currency circulated far beyond China’s borders, influencing the coinage of Korea, Japan, Vietnam, and Central Asia. The design of coins with square holes became a recognizable hallmark of East Asian numismatics for many generations.
Modern Echoes
While China’s currency has changed dramatically over the centuries, the spirit of Tang financial innovation lives on. Concepts established in the Tang era—standardized money, official control, and instruments for safe transfer of funds—remain relevant in today’s financial systems.
Reproductions of Kaiyuan Tongbao coins are sometimes gifted during Chinese festivals as symbols of wealth and luck. Images of these coins may appear in art and jewelry, connecting the Tang legacy with modern aspirations for prosperity.
Interesting Facts, Myths, and Anecdotes
- Calligraphy Matters: Tang emperors understood that even coin inscriptions mattered. The famed calligrapher Ouyang Xun was chosen to write the coin’s legend, blending art with commerce.
- Money Goes Global: Tang coins have been found as far away as Japan, Korea, and even parts of Central Asia and the Middle East, due to Silk Road trade.
- Punishment for Forgery: Privately casting coins or counterfeiting was punishable by death—a harsh measure to ensure the integrity of Tang money.
- Proto-Bankers: The “flying cash” system is considered an ancestor of modern banking drafts and traveller’s cheques.
- Coins as Charms: In later folklore, Kaiyuan Tongbao coins were believed to bring luck, especially when found during archaeological work or in old family heirlooms.
Conclusion
Tang dynasty currency was far more than means of trade—it was a bridge between commerce, culture, and cosmology. The introduction of the Kaiyuan Tongbao coin marked a revolution in the Chinese monetary system, one whose echoes shaped money not only in China but across East Asia. The seamless blend of beauty, authority, and pragmatism gave Tang coins a status few currencies have matched. Even today, the story of Tang money fascinates historians, collectors, and anyone interested in the interplay of economy and culture in Chinese civilization.
FAQ
What is Kaiyuan Tongbao?
Kaiyuan Tongbao is the standard coin introduced during the Tang dynasty. It means “Inaugural Circulating Treasure” and became the model for Chinese cash coins for centuries, featuring a circular design with a square hole.
How was Tang currency made?
Tang coins were cast, not struck, using molds filled with molten bronze, usually composed of copper with small amounts of lead and tin. Quality and weight were tightly regulated by the imperial government.
Was paper money used in the Tang dynasty?
Yes, the Tang saw the earliest forms of paper money, called “flying cash” or feiqian. These were transfer drafts for merchants rather than commonly circulating bills.
Why do traditional Chinese coins have a square hole?
The square hole in the center allowed coins to be strung together for easy carrying and symbolizes earth in Chinese cosmology (with the surrounding circle representing heaven).
Who designed the inscriptions on Tang coins?
The inscription “Kaiyuan Tongbao” was written by Ouyang Xun, one of the greatest calligraphers of the Tang dynasty, highlighting the importance of art even in daily objects.
How was currency used in daily Tang life?
People used coins for everyday transactions in markets, paid taxes with coin, silk, or grain, and merchants sometimes used “flying cash” for large or long-distance transfers.
Were Tang coins used outside of China?
Yes, Tang coins traveled throughout East Asia due to active trade. They influenced coinage in neighboring countries such as Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.
Is Tang currency still used today?
No, original Tang coins are relics and collector’s items. Modern Chinese currency uses different designs, but reproductions are popular in art and as symbols of prosperity.
What makes Tang dynasty currency culturally significant?
Tang currency exemplifies how money in China was more than economic—it was imbued with symbolism, artistic value, and a vision of cosmic harmony.
Are there any customs or superstitions related to Tang coins today?
Reproductions of Tang coins are sometimes given as fortunate tokens, used in feng shui, or worn as jewelry to attract wealth and harmony, continuing centuries-old traditions.
