Anisha Riggs
The use of incense in worship is a practice with rich symbolism and spiritual significance that dates back to ancient times. Incense is burned as a sacrificial offering to various deities and to aid in prayer. It is used in many religious systems around the world, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Judaism, and Taoism. In Christian liturgy, incense is believed to symbolize the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven, while in Hinduism, it is offered to God as part of daily ritual worship. Incense is also used in Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Japanese Shinto shrines for the deity Inari Okami or the Seven Lucky Gods. The specific use of incense by sun worshippers, however, is not explicitly mentioned in the sources provided. Nevertheless, the ancient Egyptians, who burned incense in their religious rituals, notably included the sun god Amon-Re in their pantheon.
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used in Christian worship to symbolise prayer and reverence
The use of incense in Christian worship is a practice with rich symbolism and spiritual significance. Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
Incense is used in Christian liturgy to symbolise prayer and reverence. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as an evening sacrifice". Similarly, in the Revelation of John, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven – the ""golden bowl full of incense" are "the prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8, cf. Revelation 8:3) which rise towards the altar of God.
Incense is also used as a form of purification and sanctification, preparing both the space and the worshippers by setting apart the mundane from the sacred. The aroma of incense evokes a sense of the transcendent, mysterious, and divine, serving as a tangible reminder of God's presence.
The use of incense in Christian worship is not universal, and its inclusion in liturgical practices varies across different Christian denominations and theological perspectives. However, it remains a cherished tradition in many Christian communities, enhancing the worship experience and providing a bridge between the material and spiritual, and the human and the divine.
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Incense is burned in Hindu worship, offered to Gods like Krishna and Rama
The use of incense in worship is a practice with rich symbolism and spiritual significance. It is employed in many religious systems around the world, including Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, and Shinto.
Incense has been used in India as part of Hindu worship since 3600 BC. It is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama, during daily rituals and other forms of worship. The sticks of incense are usually rotated thrice in a clockwise direction as a symbolic or sacrificial offering. This practice is still common among Hindus worldwide and is mentioned in the Bhagavad Gita, which states that "Krishna accepts the offering made to Him with love".
In Hinduism, the use of incense is symbolic of Krishna and his measureless love. The belief is that Krishna, as a self-revealed Godhead, is present in himself, in his devotees, and in everything. Thus, the burning of incense is an offering to God, a purifying agent that cleanses the space in which it is offered and evokes a sense of the transcendent, the mysterious, and the divine.
The use of incense in Hindu worship also connects to the broader idea that individual expression is an extension of the Universal and the Transcendent, reflecting a collective universal and transcendent principle of a hidden truth in the world. This belief system emphasizes that every Hindu ritual, like the burning of incense, holds a meaning that surpasses human understanding and social conduct.
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Incense is used in Buddhist temples and ceremonies
The use of incense in Buddhism is an ancient practice found in all schools of Buddhism. Incense is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date back to the life of the Buddha. Incense is used in Buddhist temples and ceremonies as a sign of respect and to symbolically purify the space. It is also used to aid in meditation and worship.
Incense is offered at Buddhist altars, along with flowers, food, drink, and garments. The burning of incense at an altar is a global Buddhist ritual. In most schools of Buddhism, incense has a symbolic meaning. For example, when you see three sticks burning, it usually represents the Three Jewels of Buddhism: the Buddha, the Buddha's teachings, and the Buddhist monk community.
The type of incense used in Buddhist temples and ceremonies varies. Stick incense is more commonly used, but there is also loose incense that is burned by dropping grains of incense onto hot charcoal. The two types of stick incense are coreless or "solid" incense and incense with a bamboo core. The coreless variety is more appropriate for Buddhism because it burns away completely. However, the bamboo core variety is also commonly used.
In some Asian temples, huge coils of burning incense are suspended from the ceilings. The formula and scent of the incense sticks used in various temples throughout Asia vary widely. The use of incense in Buddhism is not just a ritual but also has practical applications. For example, incense can be used as a meditation timer, with manufacturers providing estimated burn times on the box.
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Incense is burned in Taoist worship
Burning incense is a common practice in many religions, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism. While the use of incense in worship is believed to have originated in antiquity, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC, it continues to play a significant role in religious ceremonies and rites even today.
Taoists use various types of incense, such as sticks, coils, cones, and powdered incense, each with its own unique properties. The sticks are used as a communication timer, while the coils burn for a longer duration, keeping the gods around for a more extended session. The cones burn quickly, producing a large amount of smoke. The type of incense used depends on the specific ritual and the intended duration of the session.
The practice of burning incense in Taoist worship is not just limited to the physical act of burning but also involves the heart's intention to connect and communicate with the gods. It is believed that even burning a large quantity of incense will not yield results if the worshipper's heart is not sincere in their devotion. Thus, the main emphasis is on the faith and determination of the worshipper rather than the mere act of burning incense.
Additionally, the burning of incense in Taoist worship is often accompanied by offerings of tea, water, or liquor. While incense represents the fire element, these liquids represent the water element, attracting and absorbing energy from the surroundings. This cycle of giving and receiving is fundamental to Tao and Te cultivation, creating a harmonious exchange of energies.
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Incense is burned in Shinto shrines
Incense burning is an ancient practice, dating back to biblical times in the Middle East, where it is thought to have originated. The use of incense in religious rituals was further developed in China and transmitted to Japan, Korea, India, and other Asian countries. Incense has been used in Japan since the 6th century, introduced alongside Buddhism and its rituals and ceremonies.
In Japanese Shinto shrines, incense is burned for the deity Inari Okami or the Seven Lucky Gods. The sticks of incense are placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash, as the sticks lack a supporting core that does not burn. The formula and scent of the incense sticks used in various temples throughout Asia vary widely.
The burning of incense in Shinto shrines is part of the daily ritual worship within the Shinto tradition. Incense is offered to the deity, usually by rotating the sticks thrice in a clockwise direction. The smoke of burning incense is seen as a symbol of the prayers and intercessions of the people rising to the deity, similar to the symbolism found in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2 in the Bible: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
Incense is also used in purification rituals, representing the purification and sanctification of the worship space and the worshippers themselves. The aroma of incense evokes a sense of the transcendent, the mysterious, and the divine, serving as a tangible reminder of the presence of the deity.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is used in the worship of the sun god Amon-Re in ancient Egypt.
The use of incense in worship is a multifaceted practice rich with symbolic meanings. It is biblically grounded and historically preserved, offering layers of theological and spiritual significance that enhance the worship experience.
The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. The Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC, were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense.
Incense is used in Christian worship at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, in particular at Solemn Vespers, at Solemn Evensong, at funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and at other services.
The chief substances used as incense are resins such as frankincense and myrrh, along with aromatic wood and bark, seeds, roots, and flowers.
