Lance Carson
Burning incense has been a common practice across many cultures and religions, including Paganism. The use of incense is often associated with spiritual rituals and offerings to the gods. In the context of Paganism, the practice of burning incense is believed to be a way to send offerings to the gods and invite them into one's life. The smoke from the incense is considered a spiritual intermediary between earth and the divine realm, driving away demons and bringing protection and prosperity from the gods. While the specific preferences of individual gods or goddesses may vary, the act of burning incense is generally seen as a form of sacrifice and devotion in Pagan practices.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Burning incense | An offering to the gods |
| A way to invite the gods into one's life | |
| A way to drive away demons | |
| A way to gain benefits from the gods | |
| A way to purify the area | |
| A way to set the mood for a ritual | |
| A way to send something to the gods | |
| A way to sacrifice time and space | |
| A way to symbolise prayer | |
| A way to sanctify | |
| A way to express love and appreciation for the gods | |
| A way to repel insects | |
| A way to perfume | |
| A way to complete the ritual cycle | |
| A way to clear one's space and energise |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a spiritual offering
Incense has been used for centuries as a spiritual offering, with the practice dating back to ancient civilisations such as the Egyptians, Greeks, Romans, and even further back to the 5th and 33rd centuries BCE in South Asia. The use of incense has been observed in various cultures and religions, including Paganism, Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and ancient Greek religion.
In Paganism, incense is offered as a sacrifice to the gods, often within a formal ritual. Pagans offer sacrifices to gain benefits from the gods, and incense is believed to be a powerful offering due to its historical expense. The smoke from the burning incense is thought to act as an intermediary between earth and air, driving away demons with its pleasant fragrance and appeasing the gods. This action of burning incense is also a way to invite the gods into one's life and express love and appreciation for them.
The ancient Greeks believed that the progressed soul becomes attracted to the beauty and goodness of the gods, and this attraction, called Ǽrohs (Eros), invites the gods into their lives. The gods then respond with an immediate flow of Ǽrohs back to the worshipper. The burning of incense is a physical representation of this Ǽrohs, a symbol of the connection between the gods and humans.
Additionally, the use of incense in Paganism may be connected to ancient Egyptian practices. In ancient Egypt, frankincense was burned as an offering to the gods, and its pleasant aroma was believed to keep evil spirits away. The smoke from the incense also served as a pillar of smoke or fire, guiding the people during the day or night, respectively.
While the use of incense in Christianity was initially rejected due to its association with Paganism, it was eventually adopted as a symbol of prayer and a means of sanctification and purification. Similarly, in Judaism, incense was offered in the tabernacle and later in the Temple in Jerusalem, as mentioned in the Old Testament.
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Burning incense to purify a space
Burning incense has been used for centuries as a way to purify a space. The practice is believed to have originated in Japan in the sixth century, where it was used in purification rituals for the emperor and his court. The tradition of burning incense then spread to other civilizations, including the Egyptians, who used it in healing rituals, and the Babylonians, who relied on it when praying to divine oracles.
Today, burning incense is still used by many cultures as a way to symbolically cleanse a space or person. The smoke from the incense is believed to carry away negative energy or impurities, leaving the space purified and renewed. The act of burning incense can also be a way to create a sacred space, protecting against malevolent forces and creating a sense of safety and sanctuary.
The type of incense burned can also have an impact on the purification process. For example, sage is often used for ritual purification and space preparation, as it is believed to attach to bad energy and drive it out of the area. Other types of incense, such as lavender and sandalwood, are known for their calming and grounding properties, while citrus scents can be invigorating.
To burn incense for purification, it is important to first create a comfortable and calm space. Open a window to let in fresh air and then light the end of an incense stick, allowing the flame to burn for about ten seconds before blowing it out. Place the stick in an incense holder and let it burn until it is fully extinguished. The combined effects of the scent, symbolism, and ritual of burning incense can create a positive impact on mood and perception, leaving you feeling purified and renewed.
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Incense in ancient Egypt
Incense has been used throughout history by various cultures, including pagans and ancient Egyptians.
Incense in Ancient Pagan Rituals
Burning incense is associated with paganism and was often used in pagan rituals and ceremonies. Pagans offered sacrifices, including incense, to gain benefits from the gods. The smoke from the incense was believed to be a spiritual offering that served as an intermediary substance between earth and air. It was thought to drive away demons and appease the gods, resulting in protection and prosperity for the worshipper.
For ancient Egyptians, burning incense was a daily celebration of fragrance. They believed that burning incense was a way to send offerings to their gods. Various types of incense were burned at different times of the day, with frankincense in the morning, myrrh at midday, and Kyphi (also known as Kapet or Kap-t in Ancient Egyptian) in the evening.
Kyphi was the ancient Egyptians' favourite incense and was used for both religious and medical purposes. It was believed to have healing properties, such as curing snake bites, bad breath, and asthma. The manufacture of Kyphi involved blending and boiling ingredients in a specific sequence, resulting in a mysterious and pleasant fragrance.
Other types of incense used in ancient Egypt included Ihmut, Sonter (both from Punt), green incense (possibly based on galbanum from Persia), and white incense (likely based on frankincense). The ingredients for incense were either ground and burned on hot coals or mixed with dried fruit like raisins or dates and formed into small pellets for burning.
Incense was highly valued in ancient Egypt, and large quantities were burned daily in temples throughout the land.
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Incense in Christianity
The use of incense in Christianity has a long history and holds symbolic significance for many denominations. In the Old Testament, God instructed Moses on how to build an altar of incense, which was to stand beside the altar of sacrifice in the tabernacle, the travelling temple of God. The book of Exodus provides detailed instructions on the construction of this altar of incense, which was set in the Holy Place before the Holy of Holies.
The priests were commanded to burn incense on the altar within the tabernacle, and it was to burn perpetually before the Lord. God even provided a specific recipe for the incense, which included aromatic substances such as storax, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense in equal parts. "Strange incense", or incense that deviated from God's recipe, was forbidden for use in worship.
In the New Testament, the early writings of the Church often associated the use of incense with negative connotations, as it was commonly used in pagan worship. Pagans offered incense as sacrifices to their gods, believing that the smoke acted as an intermediary between earth and air, driving away demons and appeasing the gods. This association with paganism led Christians to abandon the use of incense in their worship for a period of time.
However, the use of incense in Christian worship made a comeback in the fifth century, and its connection with prayer and purification became more universally accepted. Incense is seen as a symbol of prayer, with the rising smoke representing the lifting up of one's hands in prayer. This symbolism is reflected in Psalm 141:2, "Let my prayer be set before you like incense".
Today, the use of incense varies among Christian denominations. It is commonly used in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, Anglican churches, and Roman Catholic traditions. Incense may be burned during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn vespers, funerals, benediction, and other religious services. While there is no explicit biblical prohibition against burning incense, some Christians may be cautious due to its historical association with paganism. Ultimately, the decision to burn incense or not is a matter of personal conviction, as long as the motivation is not to enhance one's prayers or please God through legalism or mysticism.
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Incense in other religions
The use of incense is prevalent in many religions, spanning multiple centuries and civilisations. In Christianity, the use of incense in prayer and worship is inspired by passages in the Bible. Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. Incense is burned at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and the consecration of a church or altar, among other services.
In the Islamic tradition, incense is burned to create a pleasant aroma in places of worship, although it does not carry any specific religious significance.
In Hinduism, incense is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama, as part of daily ritual worship. This practice is still common in modern-day India and among Hindus worldwide.
Incense holds an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines. In Buddhist temples, the inner spaces are scented with thick coiled incense, hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands. Worshippers light and burn incense sticks in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
Incense was also used in ancient Egypt during liturgies honouring Amun-Ra and mortuary rituals to speed the souls of the departed into the afterlife. The Babylonians and ancient Israelites also used incense extensively in their religious practices and liturgies.
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Frequently asked questions
Pagans burn incense as an offering to the gods, usually within a formal ritual. The fragrant smoke from the incense is believed to drive away demons and invite the presence of beneficial gods, who then grant protection and prosperity to the worshipper.
The practice of burning incense has been used in various cultures and spiritual practices throughout history, including ancient Egypt, Native American rituals, Buddhism, and more. In ancient times, incense was a valuable offering due to its high cost.
Pagans burn incense by placing it on lit charcoal within a fire-safe incense burner. The burner should be placed on a fire-safe plate to avoid damage to surrounding surfaces. It is important to handle burning incense with caution and to ensure that all embers are extinguished before disposing of the remnants.
