Katrina Rosales
Burning incense during prayer is a practice that has been used by many of the world's major religions since ancient times. It is believed to have purification purposes or as an offering to a deity. The use of incense during prayer is also mentioned in the Bible, in Psalm 141:2: Let my prayer be set forth before thee as incense; and the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice. Incense sticks can be used during prayer to create a calm and relaxing environment, and many people believe that they bring good luck.
Characteristics and Values of Praying with Incense Sticks
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Purification, offering to a deity, warding off insects, masking odours, creating a sacred space, bringing good luck, creating a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere |
| Religious Use | Used in many of the world's major religions, including Christianity, Judaism, and Buddhism |
| Religious Ceremony | Used during prayer and other religious moments, such as the beginning of lenten periods, on Saturday evenings, and on the eves of feasts |
| Religious Text Reference | Mentioned in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer come like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, like the evening sacrifice", and in the book of Revelation |
| Religious Figure Reference | Used by Moses, as commanded by God, and by Aaron |
| Religious Object | Incense burner, heat-resistant holder, bowl or dish, charcoal, hand censer, swinging censer |
| Religious Practice | Lighting the incense sticks, placing the bowl on top of the burning sticks to create an incense waterfall, censing icons or the entire room, burying the ashes in the ground |
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What You'll Learn
Incense stick types: direct vs. indirect burning
Incense is available in various forms and can be broadly categorized into two types: direct-burning and indirect-burning incense. The preference for one 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 and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that smoulders and releases a smoky fragrance. Direct-burning incense is either a paste formed around a bamboo stick or a paste that is extruded into a stick or cone shape. The incense sticks are made with a wooden core, which is typically made of bamboo as it is strong, fast-growing, and relatively odourless. Finely ground bamboo or charcoal is mixed with a binding agent and then pressed onto a bamboo stick or moulded into an incense cone. The fragrance oils are then applied. The odourless incense stick or cone is dipped in fragrance oils, absorbs some, and is then placed aside to cure, which essentially means drying. Direct-burning incense made this way is durable and transportable. Backflow incense cones are a novel form of direct-burning incense. The cones vary in size and shape but always have a hole drilled into the bottom, which is essential for creating the waterfall smoke effect.
Indirect-burning incense
Indirect-burning incense, also known as non-combustible incense, is an aromatic material or combination of materials, such as resins, that does not contain combustible material and requires a separate heat source. Finer forms tend to burn more rapidly, while coarsely ground or whole chunks may be consumed very gradually, having less surface area. Heat is traditionally provided by charcoal or glowing embers. In the West, the best-known incense materials of this type are the resins frankincense and myrrh, likely due to their numerous mentions in the Bible. Indirect-burning incense is burned directly on top of a heat source or on a hot metal plate in a censer or thurible. Powdered or granulated incense is mixed with a sticky incombustible binder, such as dried fruit, honey, or a soft resin, and then formed into balls or small pastilles.
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Purification and symbolism
The burning of incense has been used by all the world's major religions since ancient times, usually for purification purposes or as an offering to a deity. Incense is believed to purify the air and create a sacred space. It also has practical uses, such as keeping insects at bay and masking odours.
The use of incense by Christians is believed to have originated from Jewish tradition, dating back to the time of Moses when God instructed him to burn incense in front of the veil at the entrance of the meeting tent where the ark of the covenant was kept (Ex 30:1-10). The practice of burning incense as an offering to God will continue until the end of the world, as revealed by God to St. John in the Bible.
In Catholicism, some families choose to cense during their prayers, while others do so less frequently, on occasions such as the beginning of Lenten periods, Saturday evenings, and the eves of feasts. When censing, a hand censer is typically used, and the censer is held in the right hand while making the sign of the cross over the object being censered. The censer is then placed in the left hand, and the person censes again and bows. If censing other people, the person bows to them without signing themselves.
The ashes from burnt incense should not be thrown away but rather treated respectfully. Some options include burying them in the ground or laying them along the foundation of a building.
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Creating sacred spaces
Incense has been used by the world's major religions since ancient times, often for purification purposes or as an offering to a deity. It is also used for more practical purposes, such as warding off insects and masking odours. The burning of incense is a centuries-old practice that has been used for a variety of purposes, from the ceremonial to the medicinal. Today, many people burn incense to create a peaceful and pleasant atmosphere in their homes.
To create a sacred space, you will need a heat-resistant holder for your incense sticks and a bowl or dish to catch the falling ash. Place the incense burner on a sturdy surface, then light the incense sticks. Position the bowl or dish beneath the holder so that the ash will fall into it. Once the incense sticks have burned down completely, carefully dispose of the ash. Some people choose to pour the ash into their palm, close their fingers around it, and make a wish for good luck before blowing the ash away gently. This releases the ash back into the air, carrying your wish with it.
Another way to create a sacred space is by using the incense waterfall method. This method requires a heat-resistant bowl, a pair of chopsticks, and several incense sticks. Light the incense sticks and let them burn for a few minutes. Then, place the bowl on top of the burning incense. Use the chopsticks to hold the bowl in place. The heat from the incense will cause the water to evaporate and rise in a delicate stream. As the water falls back into the bowl, it creates a calming, tranquil sound that can help you focus on your prayer or meditation.
If you are using incense for prayer, you may want to cense before or after the prayer. Some people also choose to have a Cross and Gospel in their icon corner, where their censing begins and ends. You can cense the icons in the corner, or you can cense the entire room or any other rooms you wish. Remember that your incense burner will be extremely hot, and never leave burning charcoal unattended.
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Incense waterfalls
To create an incense waterfall, you will need a heat-resistant bowl, chopsticks, and a few incense sticks. Light the incense sticks and let them burn for a few minutes. Then, place the bowl on top of the burning incense sticks, using the chopsticks to hold it in place. The heat from the incense will cause the water to evaporate and rise in a delicate stream. As the water falls back into the bowl, it will create a calming, tranquil sound to help you focus on your prayer or meditation.
It is important to note that you should never leave incense burning unattended, especially when using an incense waterfall as it will continue to burn even without attention. Always use a heat-resistant incense holder and ensure the incense is placed on a heat-resistant surface, keeping flammable items away.
The lotus flower incense waterfall is a popular design, with the smoke flowing over the petals, creating a calming visual effect. The Buddha incense waterfall holder is another option, with smoke cascading down over the figure, promoting inner peace and emotional balance.
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Incense in different religions
The burning of incense has been used by all the world's major religions since ancient times. It is used for purification, as an offering to a deity, and as an aid in prayer. Incense is also used to ward off insects and mask odours.
Christianity
Incense is employed in worship by Christians, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. It is also used by Methodists and is increasingly being used by other Christian groups. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship, and Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic churches, incense is used at almost every service. The smoke from incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
Hinduism
Incense is used in almost all pujas, prayers, and other forms of worship in Hinduism. It is offered to God in His deity forms, such as Krishna and Rama. This practice is still common in modern-day India.
Buddhism
Incense is burned 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 on special stands. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of a deity or ancestor.
Neopaganism
Incense is used in Neopagan rituals to represent the element of air. More modern approaches to incense magic suggest that it actually represents all the elements. It is believed to create a magical atmosphere that is appropriate for the invocation of deities and spirits.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense sticks is believed to purify the air and create a sacred space. It is also used to ward off insects and mask odours.
Place a heat-resistant holder for the incense sticks and a bowl to catch the falling ash. Light the incense sticks and position the bowl beneath the holder. Once the incense has burned down, pour the ash into your palm, make a wish, and blow gently to release the ash.
Direct-burning incense (sticks, cones) is lit directly by a flame and is commonly used for prayer. Indirect-burning incense (powders, pastes) requires a separate heat source.
The burning of incense during prayer dates back to the time of Moses, mentioned in the Bible (Ex 30:1-10). It has been used by all major religions for purification or as an offering to a deity.
Light some incense sticks and let them burn for a few minutes. Place a heat-resistant bowl on top of the burning sticks, and the heat will cause the water to evaporate and rise, creating a calming sound to help you focus on your prayer.
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