Anisha Riggs
Incense is an ancient practice that has been used in many religions to bring olfactory senses into sacred moments. The word incense is derived from the Latin incendere, which means to burn. It is used in various religions such as Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism, and has been noted in the Bible, the Talmud, and the New American Bible. Incense is burned to symbolize purification and the physical manifestation of prayers rising to heaven or God. In the Catholic Church, incense is used to symbolize prayer and the purification of all that it touches. When using incense for adoration, it is important to follow specific procedures, such as lighting the incense stick with a candle or a match, and holding it with the thumb, index, and middle finger.
How to Hold Incense for Adoration
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Hand to hold the incense stick | Right hand |
| Fingers to hold the incense stick | Thumb, index and middle finger |
| Lighting the incense stick | Using a candle or a match |
| Lighting the incense tip | Using a candle or a lighter |
| Extinguishing the flame at the incense tip | Light shake or gentle touch |
| Position of the incense stick after lighting | Touch the stick to the forehead once or three times |
| Placing the incense stick | Place in a sturdy holder filled with non-flammable sand |
| Holding the lit incense stick | Hold between the two middle fingers in gassho position |
| Holding the incense stick while placing it in the ash holder | Hold with two middle fingers like a cigarette, but vertical |
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a symbol of prayer
Incense has been used in religious worship for thousands of years, dating back to ancient China around 2000 BC where cassia and sandalwood were burned. It is also mentioned in the Talmud and the Bible, including in Exodus when Moses is given a formula for incense to be used in the worship of Yahweh. The use of incense in Jewish temple worship influenced the Catholic Church's incorporation of incense into its liturgical celebrations.
Incense is a symbol of prayer. Its sweet aroma represents something pleasing and acceptable being offered to God. The rising smoke symbolises a person's or people's prayers rising up to God. In Psalm 141, we read: "Let my prayer come like incense before you". Incense is also used to symbolise purification, with the smoke believed to physically purify all that it touches.
In the Catholic Church, incense is used to symbolise reverence and dedication. Incensing the body at a funeral Mass, for example, shows reverence for the body that was once the temple of God. Incense is also used to show respect for Christ, such as during the incensing of the altar or the Easter candle.
There are various methods for burning incense, including the use of a hand censer. When using a hand censer, one common method is to hold it in the right hand and make the sign of the cross over whatever is being censing. The censer is then switched to the left hand, and the person bows. If censing others, the person should make the sign of the cross with the censer and then bow to those being censing.
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Lighting incense with a candle or match
Firstly, light a candle and ensure the flame is steady. If using a match, hold the incense stick by its uncoated end and ignite the coated end. If you are using a candle, hold the incense stick at a slight angle, allowing the incense to touch the candle's flame.
Allow the incense to burn for a few seconds. You should see the tip glow, and a small flame may flicker. The incense may take a few seconds to catch, so patience is required here. Once the flame appears, it's time to extinguish it, leaving behind a cherry-red ember that will slowly burn down the stick. You can gently blow on the incense to extinguish the flame, or, if using a candle, you can 'wave' the flame out by hand.
Place the uncoated end of the incense stick into the incense holder, ensuring it is stable and secure. Allow the incense to burn and enjoy the aroma. It is important to ensure proper ventilation in the room and to never leave a lit candle unattended.
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Holding incense with the thumb, index and middle finger
Holding incense with the thumb, index, and middle finger is one of the ways to offer incense during adoration. Adoration is a practice found in many religions, where incense is used to bring a sacredness to the moment through the sense of smell. The practice of offering incense holds symbolic meaning for Christians today. The sweet fragrance of the incense is seen as something pleasing and acceptable being offered to God.
In the Treeleaf Zendo method, the incense stick is held with the thumb, index, and middle finger of the right hand, representing the Buddha Dharma Sangha. The incense is placed in front of or near a Buddha Statue, which can be anything that brings stillness to the heart, such as a stone, a flower, or an empty space. The left hand is held in Gassho, a respectful gesture where the palms are joined and the fingers extended. The incense tip is then lit with a candle or a match, never with a lighter. The flame is extinguished by lightly shaking or gently touching the tip.
The stick is then raised and touched to the forehead once or three times before being placed in a sturdy holder filled with non-flammable sand to prevent it from falling over and to neatly collect the ashes. The candle used in the ritual is not blown out but 'waved' out by hand. This method of offering incense is also practiced in local zendos, where the lit stick is held between the two middle fingers in the Gassho position, and a bow is made once.
In Christian ceremonies, the elders hold the incense, which represents the prayers of the holy ones, and the smoke rising from it symbolizes the prayers rising up to God. Incense is also used to show reverence for the body, the word of God, Christ, and his sacrifice.
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Incense burners and how to use them
Incense burners are used to burn incense, a practice that has been around for centuries, often for religious ceremonies, meditation, or simply creating a relaxing and fragrant atmosphere. Incense is available in various forms, including sticks, cones, and ropes, and it is important to choose a burner that is compatible with the type of incense you plan to use. Burners can be simple dishes or more elaborate designs, and they are made from materials such as wood or ceramic.
When using an incense burner, it is important to always supervise the burning incense and never leave it unattended, especially if there are children or pets around. Be mindful of ventilation and open a window or door to allow the smoke to circulate and prevent the room from becoming too stuffy. Start with a small amount of incense and add more if needed. It is also recommended to use high-quality incense to avoid harmful chemicals or fillers, and be aware that some people may be sensitive to the smoke.
To light an incense stick, hold it with your thumb, index, and middle finger, light the tip with a candle or match, and gently blow out any flame once it is glowing. You can then raise it to your forehead and place it in a sturdy holder filled with non-flammable sand. For backflow incense cones, light the pointy end with a match or lighter and ensure it is immersed in the flame until it ignites. Gently blow out any remnants of the flame and place the cone on a small platform or dish.
After the incense has finished burning, do not touch the remnants or the metal parts of the burner as they may still be hot. Allow several minutes for them to cool down. To extinguish the incense completely, dip the ember in water or sand.
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Incense as a symbol of purification
Incense is a powerful ancient practice found in many religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Shintoism, Judaism, Christianity, and Islam. It is used to bring the olfactory sense into the sacredness of the moment, much like chanting, ritual sights, and an altar invite the other senses.
Incense is often used as a symbol of purification and sanctification. In the Christian Liturgy, nothing is superfluous, and everything has a symbolic and theological value. The smoke of the incense is meant to symbolise the sanctification and purification of the sacred space, as well as the faithful's prayers rising to Heaven. This is also seen in Psalm 141, where it says, "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." In the Revelation of John, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, as the "golden bowl full of incense" are "the prayers of the saints" which infuse upwards towards the altar of God.
In the Old Testament, incense was used in the Jewish Temple and was often burnt in connection with animal sacrifices. The sweet smell of the incense and its rising smoke gave it a natural symbolism, becoming an image of something pleasing to God. This symbolism is also seen in the New Testament, where the Three Kings bring gifts of frankincense to the Baby Jesus, recognising His role as a priest, prophet, and king.
In pre-Columbian Mexico and Peru, as well as in ancient Greece, Morocco, and other regions, incense was burned in censers or incense burners, often made of gold or terra-cotta. The rite of swinging the censer is practiced in many Christian and non-Christian rituals, and the burning of incense is believed to provide protection against evil or demonic spirits.
In Buddhism, the smoke of burning incense is believed to purify the surroundings and bring forth an assembly of buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, and demons. In the local zendo, practitioners light incense sticks with a candle or a match, never with a lighter, and hold the lit stick between the two middle fingers in a gassho position before bowing once.
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Frequently asked questions
The way to hold incense depends on the type of incense being used. If using a hand censer, hold it in your right hand and make the sign of the cross over whatever you are censing. Switch the censer to your left hand, make the sign of the cross again, and then bow. If you are censing others, make the sign of the cross with the censer and then bow to those people. If you are using a stick of incense, pick it up with your thumb, index, and middle finger.
The use of incense in religious worship predates Christianity by thousands of years. It is thought to symbolise purification and the physical manifestation of prayers rising to heaven. In Christianity, the sweet aroma of incense is considered to be something pleasing and acceptable being offered to God.
If using a candle, hold the incense stick with your thumb, index, and middle finger and light the tip of the incense with the candle flame. If using resin incense, place a piece of charcoal in the burner and light it, before placing a pinch of incense on top.
The word 'incense' is derived from the Latin 'incendere', which means 'to burn'. It was a highly valuable commodity in ancient times, with the trading of incense providing the economic basis for the 1,500-mile-long Middle Eastern Incense Route.
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