Katrina Rosales
Incense paper, also known as joss paper, is a type of paper that is burned as an offering to gods and spirits during religious ceremonies. It is commonly used in Chinese and Japanese cultures and has a variety of recipes and methods of creation. Incense paper is traditionally made from coarse bamboo paper or rice paper and is often decorated with seals, stamps, and contrasting paper. The paper is soaked in scented oils and chemicals and then dried, after which it can be burned to release a fragrance.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional material | Coarse bamboo paper |
| Other materials | Rice paper, Washi paper |
| Other names | Joss paper, Papier d'Armenie |
| Burning occasions | Lunar New Year, Ghost Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, etc. |
| Burning purpose | Offerings to gods and spirits, currency in the afterlife |
| Burning method | Folded in half, pre-folded into gold ingots, or folded and stacked into pagodas or lotuses |
| Scent | Resin of Styrax Benzoin tree, vanilla-like sweetness, myrrh, balsam wood, rose |
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What You'll Learn
Incense paper is made from bamboo paper or rice paper
Incense paper, also known as joss paper, is traditionally made from coarse bamboo paper. This type of paper has a handmade feel to it, with many variances and imperfections. However, rice paper is also commonly used as an alternative.
Joss paper is a type of papercraft or sheet of paper that is burned as an offering in Chinese ancestral worship. It is used to venerate deceased family members and relatives on holidays and special occasions. It is also burned or buried in various Asian funerals to ensure that the deceased's spirit has everything it needs in the afterlife.
The paper is typically cut into individual squares or rectangles and may be decorated with seals, stamps, pieces of contrasting paper, engraved designs, or other motifs. Folding the paper is an essential part of the burning ceremony, as it distinguishes joss paper from actual money and is believed to bring good luck. People may burn joss paper during occasions such as the Lunar New Year, Ghost Festival, Mid-Autumn Festival, and the Winter Solstice, among others.
In addition to the traditional bamboo and rice paper varieties, some incense papers are made from the dried resin of the Styrax Benzoin tree. This variety, known as Papier d’ Armenie, was inspired by a trip to Armenia in 1885, where resin was burned to disinfect and refresh homes.
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It can also be made from the dried resin of the Styrax Benzoin tree
Incense paper, also known as joss paper, is traditionally made from coarse bamboo paper or rice paper. It is used in Chinese ancestral worship, with the paper being burnt as an offering to the deceased.
Benzoin is a common ingredient in incense-making and perfumery due to its sweet vanilla-like aroma and fixative properties. It is used in various cultural and religious contexts, including in Russia and some other Eastern Orthodox Christian societies, as well as in Latin Catholic churches. Benzoin is also burned in the Arabian Peninsula and Hindu temples of India, where it is placed on charcoal. Additionally, it is used in the production of Bakhoor in Arab countries and the Horn of Africa, as well as in blended types of Japanese, Indian, and Chinese incense.
There are two main types of benzoin: benzoin Siam and benzoin Sumatra. Benzoin Siam is obtained from Styrax tonkinensis, found across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, and Vietnam. On the other hand, Benzoin Sumatra is derived from Styrax paralleloneurus (syn. Styrax sumatranus) and Styrax benzoin, which predominantly grows on the island of Sumatra.
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The paper is soaked in scented oils and chemicals
The paper used for incense is typically made from coarse bamboo paper, although rice paper is also a common alternative. In Japan, a special kind of paper called Washi paper is used, which is handmade from the fibres of native trees and pure cold water. This paper is stronger than Western paper and is well-suited for absorbing scents.
Once the paper is made, it is soaked in scented oils and chemicals. This process can take up to six months, as is the case with the famous French-Armenian Papier d'Armenie incense paper. The paper is soaked in a bath of chemicals and scented oils until it fully absorbs the fragrance. The scent can vary, from vanilla-like sweetness to hints of myrrh, balsam wood, and even roses.
The paper is then dried, after which it is ready to be used. Incense paper can be burned to release the scent or it can be placed inside drawers, books, or linens to act as a potpourri. The burning of incense paper is a common practice in Chinese and Japanese cultures, often used during religious ceremonies and rituals.
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Japanese incense paper is made from Washi paper
Japanese incense paper, also known as HA KO Paper Incense, is made from washi paper. This type of incense is said to infuse any space with a feeling of tranquility. The slow and gradual smolder of washi paper also promotes interior fire safety, as the natural fibers do not flare up or spark like other artificial incense types. Washi paper incense is a new type of incense that can only be made by Awaji incense artisans who have learned the skill of washi paper-making.
To create this incense, incense sticks are ground into a powder and dissolved in water, along with the paper. The final product, being made of paper, can be folded or cut into any desired shape. Unburnt, this paper can even be carried in a wallet to transfer fragrance to objects like business cards. When burning, a strip of the paper is torn off and folded like an accordion to stand on a fireproof plate. The paper is then lit and quickly blown out so that the embers burn slowly. Each strip burns for approximately 8 minutes.
The HA KO Paper Incense comes in a variety of fragrances, including three award-winning Japanese scents: Relax, Focus, and Sleep. These fragrances are reminiscent of forests and fresh spring meadows, offering a luxurious experience compared to traditional incense sticks. The incense papers are also printed with uplifting messages like "Cheer Up!" or "Take a Break", providing words of encouragement as they fill a space with fragrance.
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Joss paper is decorated with seals, stamps, contrasting paper, or engraved designs
Joss paper, also known as incense paper, is a type of paper burnt as an offering in Chinese ancestral worship. It is used to honour the deceased and provide for their well-being in the afterlife. The type of Joss paper used varies depending on the region and the deity being worshipped.
Joss paper is traditionally made from coarse bamboo paper, which has a handmade feel with many variances and imperfections. Rice paper is also commonly used. It is cut into individual squares or rectangles and decorated with seals, stamps, contrasting paper, engraved designs, or other motifs. The decorations on Joss paper can include gold foil, the Chinese character for longevity, and wishes for wisdom, smooth sailing, and prosperity.
The three main types of spirit money are cash (also known as copper), silver, and gold. The type of spirit money given depends on the category of the spirit being worshipped. Cash is given to newly deceased spirits and spirits of the unknown, while gold Joss paper (jin) is offered to deities such as the Jade Emperor. Silver Joss paper (yin) is given to ancestral spirits and other spirits. These distinctions between the types of spirit money must be followed precisely to avoid confusing or insulting the spirits.
In addition to the decorations on the paper, the act of folding Joss paper is also significant. The paper is folded to distinguish it from actual money, as burning money is considered unlucky in Asian cultures. The paper may be folded into specific shapes to bring good luck, and people often burn lavish amounts to ensure that the offering is well-received.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense paper is a type of paper that is soaked in scented oils and chemicals to absorb the fragrance. When dry, the paper can be burned to release the scent or placed in drawers to act as a potpourri. Incense paper is commonly used in religious ceremonies and for offerings to the spirits of the dead.
To make incense paper, thick cardstock is soaked in a mixture of chemicals and scented oils. This process can take up to 6 months, as is the case with the famous French Papier d'Armenie. The paper is then dried, and once dry, it can be burned or used as potpourri.
The type of paper used for incense paper varies depending on the region and tradition. In China, Joss paper, the oldest example of incense paper, is traditionally made from coarse bamboo paper or rice paper. In Japan, a special type of paper called Washi paper, made from the fibres of native trees and pure cold water, is used for incense.
