Cash coins had a special significance for the ancient Chinese in reference to their concept of the afterlife. The ancient Chinese believed that cash coins served as a sort of cosmic map for the deceased to ascent to the heavens. In the ancient Chinese world view the earth was square while the heavens were round. Because of these beliefs cash coin themed objects are commonly found in tombs dating to the Han dynasty period as well as bronze trees which are laden with either real or imitations of Wu Zhu cash coins, which are sometimes known as shengxianshu ("immortal ascension trees"),Zhang Maohua, "Money Trees Explained," China Archaeology and Art Digest 4, no. 4 (April–May 2002), pp. 20–21. and cash coin patterns are also found in the clay directional tiles of tombs.
