An inventive hot gas seal for sealing an opening, e.g. a gap or hole, in a heat shield element or between heat shield elements of a heat shield or a liner comprises at least one resilient portion for providing a force which is designed such that the hot gas seal can be held in said opening by said force and/or that the sealing efficiency of the hot gas seal is increased by said force. Thus, further means for holding the seal in place and/or for increasing the sealing efficiency are not necessary. The invention is particularly useful if the design of said resilient portion is such that the force provides a holding action and increases the sealing efficiency, at the same time.