Heidi Norton
Incense burners, or censers, have been used for centuries in various cultures and religions. The term 'incense' refers to the aromatic biotic material or the aroma released when it is burned. Incense can be separated into two main types: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense, or combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame, while indirect-burning incense, or non-combustible incense, requires a separate heat source like charcoal or glowing embers. The form of incense has evolved over time, from leaves and flowers to ground powder shaped into cones or sticks. Backflow incense, also known as waterfall incense, is a newer type of incense that creates a mesmerizing visual effect with its downward-flowing smoke.
How does an incense burner work?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Basic Ingredients | Bamboo stick, paste (charcoal dust, joss/jiggit/gum/tabu powder), and perfume ingredients (masala powder, synthetic perfume liquid, essential oils) |
| Incense Types | Direct-burning, Indirect-burning |
| Direct-burning Incense Process | Ignite the end of the incense with a flame, fan or blow out the flame once it starts to turn into ash, leaving it to smolder |
| Indirect-burning Incense Process | Burn aromatic material (e.g., resins like frankincense and myrrh) that does not contain combustible material on a separate heat source like charcoal or glowing embers |
| Backflow Incense | Designed to create a downward flow of smoke, forming a mesmerizing waterfall effect; made in cone or stick shapes with a hollow center |
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What You'll Learn
Incense burner types: backflow, waterfall, traditional
There are several types of incense burners available, each with unique designs and effects. The three main types are backflow, waterfall, and traditional.
Backflow incense burners are designed to be used with backflow incense cones, which produce a downward flow of smoke instead of the traditional upward flow. This creates a unique visual effect, with the smoke flowing like a waterfall or fountain. Backflow burners come in a variety of designs, including ones featuring a witch, a dragon, a gnome, and even a smiling cat. Some are also shaped like mushrooms, skulls, and lilypads.
Waterfall incense burners are a type of backflow burner that creates a miniature landscape with the smoke flowing over it. These burners are often handcrafted and designed with modern architectural inspiration in mind. They are made from materials like concrete and glass and are perfect as a conversation piece when placed on a coffee table.
Traditional incense burners are the most common type and are typically used with incense sticks or cones. They come in a variety of sizes and designs, from simple holders to more intricate burners shaped like boxes or skulls. Traditional burners can be used with backflow cones as well, providing more options for incense types.
Each type of burner has its own advantages and effects, offering a range of choices for those looking to enjoy the benefits of incense, from its aromatic qualities to its ability to create a calming atmosphere.
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Incense ingredients: bamboo, charcoal, masala, oils
Bamboo forms the core of incense sticks, with incense paste rolled onto thin strips of the material. Bamboo is ideal for this purpose due to its strength and flexibility, allowing it to hold straight while supporting the weight of the paste. It is also a natural, sustainable resource with spiritual symbolism in various regions and religions.
Charcoal is used as a fuel source in some types of incense, particularly cones, to ensure they burn all the way to the bottom. Activated charcoal is also an ingredient in some all-natural incense sticks.
Masala incense sticks are made from a blend of natural ingredients, such as sandalwood, cinnamon, cloves, patchouli, myrrh, and lemongrass, ground into a powder and mixed with water to form a paste, which is then hand-rolled onto a bamboo stick. They are known for their strong, natural fragrances and therapeutic properties, such as promoting relaxation and enhancing meditation or spiritual practices.
Oils, specifically essential oils, are used in all-natural incense sticks. Only certain types of essential oils are suitable for burning, and they offer a natural, soft, lingering scent. They are also used for their spiritual and physical uplifting effects.
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Incense activation: direct/indirect burning, charcoal, flame
Incense is available in various forms and can be separated into two main types: "direct-burning" and "indirect-burning". The preference for one form over the other varies with culture, tradition, and personal taste.
Direct-burning incense
Direct-burning incense, also known as combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame. The tip or end of the incense is ignited with a heat source, such as a flame, until it begins to turn into ash. The flame is then fanned or blown out, leaving the incense to smoulder and release a smoky fragrance. Direct-burning incense is made from a combustible base that binds the fragrant material together and allows the incense to burn with a self-sustained ember. This type of incense is often formed around a bamboo stick or extruded into a stick or cone shape.
Indirect-burning incense
Indirect-burning incense, also called non-combustible incense, does not contain combustible material and requires a separate heat source. It is usually burned on top of charcoal or glowing embers, either directly on a hot metal plate or in a censer or thurible. The censer or thurible may have a long handle and no chain, and instead of charcoal, makkō powder is poured into a depression made in a bed of ash. The makkō is lit, and the incense mixture is burned on top. This method is known as "religious burning" in Japan and China and is used by several Buddhist traditions.
Charcoal
Charcoal plays an important role in the burning of incense. It provides the fuel for combustion in direct-burning incense and is also commonly used as the heat source for indirect-burning incense. In the case of direct-burning incense, charcoal or wood powder is combined with an oxidizer such as sodium nitrate or potassium nitrate to sustain the burning of the incense.
Flame
A flame is used to ignite direct-burning incense, but it is important to note that the flame is not the primary source of combustion. The flame is only used to light the tip or end of the incense, and it is then fanned or blown out, leaving the incense to smoulder.
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Incense smoke: downward flow, density, aroma
The downward flow of incense smoke can be affected by several factors. The density of the air inside a home is one of the most common reasons for incense smoke to flow upwards. Heated and cooled air inside a home can cause the air to circulate less, making it denser and less buoyant than the air outside. Opening a window or door can help to alleviate this issue by allowing fresh air to enter and the dense air to escape. Additionally, drafts within the home can pull the smoke upwards.
The arrangement of the incense cone on the burner can also impact the direction of the smoke. If the incense cone is not placed correctly, the smoke may flow upwards instead of downwards. Using the incorrect type of incense cone can also contribute to this issue.
Incense smoke is a source of indoor aerosols, with particles measuring around 0.13 μm in count median diameter and 0.28 μm in mass median aerodynamic diameter. The particle density of incense smoke is 1.06 ± 0.08 g cm−3. These aerosol particles are similar to those found in environmental tobacco smoke. Burning incense produces respiratory aerosol concentrations of up to several hundred μg m−3.
The aroma of incense smoke can have both positive and negative effects on individuals. While some people use incense for aromatherapy and religious functions, particularly in Hinduism, Buddhism, and meditation, others may experience negative health effects such as dizziness, headaches, or nausea from inhaling the smoke. It is important to take the necessary precautions, such as limiting exposure time, to mitigate potential health risks associated with burning incense.
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Incense uses: religious, aesthetic, aromatherapy, insect repellent
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. It has been used for centuries in almost all regions of the world and has evolved from being made from leaves, flowers, dried wood and resin pieces, to ground powder that is mixed and dried into different shapes.
Incense is used for a variety of purposes, including religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremonial reasons. It is also used for aesthetic reasons, such as simply appreciating its smell, and for practical purposes such as a deodorant or insect repellent.
Religious Uses
Incense has been used in religious contexts for thousands of years, with the oldest textual source on incense being the Vedas, specifically the Atharvaveda and the Rigveda. Incense-burning was used to create pleasing aromas as well as for medicinal purposes. In Ancient China, the use of incense in religious worship dates back to around 2000 BCE. Incense was also used by the Chinese to bring wealth and health to their villages, and to make offerings to heaven or the devas. In Japan, the practice of burning scented chips or blocks of incense called bakhoor is used on special occasions like weddings or on Fridays, or to generally perfume the house. In India, the practice of incense-making and use is often associated with Hinduism and Buddhism.
Aesthetic Uses
Incense is also used for its aesthetic qualities, such as its smell. For example, in the practice of kōdō (香道), costly raw incense materials such as agarwood are appreciated in a formal setting.
Aromatherapy
Incense is used in aromatherapy to create a calming or relaxing atmosphere. This can be done through the use of incense sticks, cones, or other forms of incense that release fragrant smoke when burnt.
Insect Repellent
Incense can also be used as an insect repellent. For example, incense made from citronella can help to repel mosquitoes and other irritating insects. Other types of incense, such as lavender, can help to repel cockroaches, spiders, mites, ticks, and other flying insects. However, it is important to note that the effect of burning incense may not last as long as other insecticides and may not be as potent. Additionally, the smoke from mosquito-repellent incense may act as an irritant for people with asthma, bronchitis, or other lung diseases.
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Frequently asked questions
An incense burner, or censor, is a device used to burn incense. Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. Incense burners can be used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremonies. They may also be used as a simple deodorant or insect repellent.
Incense burners work by burning incense, which can be in the form of sticks, cones, chips, blocks, or powder. The incense is lit directly by a flame or heated by a separate heat source such as charcoal or glowing embers. As the incense burns, it releases fragrant smoke, which can fill a room with a pleasant aroma.
There are two main types of incense burners: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense, also known as combustible incense, is lit directly by a flame and contains a combustible base that allows it to burn with a self-sustained ember. Indirect-burning incense, also called non-combustible incense, does not contain combustible material and requires a separate heat source such as charcoal. There are also backflow incense burners, which are designed to create a waterfall effect with the smoke cascading down the burner instead of rising into the air.
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