Heidi Norton
The use of incense in churches has a long history, predating Christianity by thousands of years. In the Catholic Church, incense is burned during liturgical celebrations and other areas outside of Mass, such as processions, graveside services, and blessings. The incense smoke is believed to symbolically purify all that it touches, including the altar, and signifies the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer, and the incense itself is often a blend of fragrances, with frankincense and myrrh being two prominent ingredients in the Catholic Church.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Incense |
| Container | Thurible or censer |
| Container Description | Metal container suspended on chains |
| Usage | During worship services |
| Usage Frequency | Varies by denomination |
| Usage Purpose | Symbol of prayer, sanctification, and purification |
| Usage History | Mentioned in Hebrew Scriptures, used in Jewish and Christian traditions |
| Usage History Details | Used in Christian worship since the fifth century |
| Health Effects | Occasional exposure in ventilated spaces is generally safe; long-term heavy exposure may have health impacts |
| Form | Grains, powder, or sticks |
| Ingredients | Storax, onycha, galbanum, frankincense, benzoin, myrrh, styrax, copal, aromatics |
| Commercial Availability | Sold as gift sets, sticks, and blends |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Christian worship
Incense has been used in Christian worship since ancient times, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
The use of incense in Christian worship was likely abandoned for a period due to its associations with paganism. In the first few centuries of Church writings, the offering of incense is usually depicted negatively, as it was common for Christians to be forced to offer incense to pagan gods as a way to compromise their faith. However, incense in worship made a comeback in the fifth century, with its use increasing in the East and the West.
The use of incense as a symbol of prayer and as a means of sanctifying and purifying became universal. The apostle John in the Book of Revelation saw that the offering of incense represented prayer, writing:
> "The twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each of the elders held a harp and gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones" (Revelation 5:8).
Incense is also mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, with the psalmist expressing the symbolism of incense and prayer:
> "Let my prayer rise like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:1-2).
In Christian churches, incense is burned during worship services in a metal incense burner suspended from chains, known as a thurible or censer. The acolyte or altar server who carries the thurible is called the thurifer. The use of incense is optional for most Masses, but it is often used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images.
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Incense in other religions
Incense is used in many different religions and has been for centuries. The use of incense in religious contexts has its origins in antiquity, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation around 3600 BC. Soon after, the Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first in the non-Asian world to use incense.
Hinduism
Incense is used in almost all pujas, prayers, and other forms of Hindu worship. As part of the daily ritual, incense is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama. This is done by rotating the sticks thrice in a clockwise direction. The use of incense in Hinduism is said to be rooted in a principle from the Bhagavad Gita: "Krishna accepts the offering made to Him with love".
Buddhism
Incense holds an invaluable role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites. 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 sticks of incense in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
Taoism
Incense is used in Chinese Taoist temples in a similar way to that of Buddhist temples. The formula and scent of the incense sticks used in various temples throughout Asia vary widely.
Shinto
Incense is used in Japanese Shinto shrines for the deity Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods. The sticks of incense are placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash, as the sticks used lack a supporting core that does not burn.
Judaism
The use of incense in Christian worship is rooted in earlier traditions of Judaism. Incense is mentioned frequently in the Hebrew Scriptures, including in the Book of Exodus, Psalms, and the Gospel of Luke.
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Incense ingredients
Incense is used in many Christian churches, including Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Old Catholic, Anglican, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Continental Reformed churches. The practice of burning incense in churches is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism, dating back to the time of the Second Jewish Temple.
The ingredients used in incense vary, but they are typically made from natural ingredients, including plants, spices, roots, bark, and resins. Some common ingredients include sandalwood, cedar, pine, frankincense, myrrh, patchouli, and benzoin. The base and binder are chosen to complement and enhance the aromatic ingredients, with the base often adding its own strong scent to the blend. Red sandalwood, alder, and charcoal are low-scent base materials that are easier to work with, while gum binders like guar gum or xanthan gum are more potent than wood binders. The binder is typically a form of glue, such as joss powder or "tabu no ki" (also known as "makko"), that holds the incense together in the desired shape.
The blending process requires a great deal of skill, as the quality, balance, and ratio of each ingredient can significantly impact the resulting fragrance. The moisture content, drying time, and production methods can also affect the final scent. Incense makers may also add liquid scents such as essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts to enhance the fragrance.
In the Bible, God gives Moses a recipe for incense: "Take these aromatic substances: storax, onycha, and galbanum, and pure frankincense in equal parts; and blend them into incense. This fragrant powder, expertly prepared, is to be salted and so kept pure and sacred." (Ex 30:34-36). This incense was to be treated as sacred and burned during religious ceremonies.
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Incense containers
Incense has been used in various religious traditions for centuries, including in the Jewish offering during the Old Testament period and in Christian churches. In Christian churches, incense is burned during worship services and is symbolic of "cleansing and purification". The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer. It is typically a metal container suspended on chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke.
Thuribles are used in Christian churches, including those of the Roman Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Assyrian Church of the East, Oriental Orthodox, Lutheran, Old Catholic, Presbyterian, Methodist, and Anglican denominations. The altar server who carries the thurible is called the thurifer. The thurifer wears a more ornate lace surplice, and the role is reserved for older, more experienced boys.
The use of thuribles in Christian churches is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism, dating back to the time of the Second Jewish Temple. In the Gospel, Zechariah, John the Baptist's father, is described as offering incense in the temple (Luke 1). The offering of incense is also mentioned in the Hebrew Scriptures, where the psalmist expresses the symbolism of incense and prayer: "Let my prayer rise like incense before you; the lifting up of my hands as the evening sacrifice" (Psalm 141:1).
In addition to its use in Christian churches, thuribles are also employed in various other spiritual or ceremonial traditions, including some Gnostic Churches, Freemasonry, and Co-Freemasonry. They are also sometimes used in the practice of ceremonial magic. The workings of a thurible are quite simple. It consists of a censer section, chains, a metal ring to lock the lid in place, and usually a removable metal crucible for burning charcoals. Many thuribles come with a stand, allowing them to be hung safely when not in use.
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Incense health effects
Incense is frequently used in churches and other religious settings. The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer. It is typically a metal container suspended from chains, allowing it to be swung to distribute the fragrant smoke.
While the aroma of church incense is often considered pleasant, it is important to be aware of its potential health effects. Incense smoke contains particulate matter that can be easily inhaled and may have negative health outcomes. The health risks associated with incense burning include respiratory issues, dermatological sensitivity, allergic reactions, and headaches. Additionally, incense smoke contains chemicals such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which have been linked to cancer. However, it is important to note that the risk of cancer is considered small with normal amounts of exposure.
The health effects of incense burning can be particularly significant for individuals with allergies, asthma, or other respiratory conditions. In such cases, exposure to incense smoke can lead to shortness of breath and other respiratory problems.
Furthermore, a 2020 study found that long-term exposure to incense smoke may impact brain health in adults over the age of 65, leading to delays in cognitive performance and decreased brain connectivity. However, more research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms behind these effects.
While the occasional use of incense in well-ventilated spaces is generally considered safe for most people, it is important to be mindful of the potential health risks associated with long-term or heavy exposure. It is always advisable to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about the impact of incense on your health.
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Frequently asked questions
The container used for burning incense in a church is called a thurible or a censer.
Incense is usually in the form of pebbly grains or powder. It often contains frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, or other aromatics.
The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven. It also symbolises "cleansing and purification", and the sweet smell suggests "Christ's robe of righteousness" that covers the sin of humankind.
Incense is used at various times in the Catholic Church, adding an extra layer of solemnity to the proceedings. You might see it during the entrance procession, at the Gospel reading, at the offertory, during the elevation of the Eucharist, at benedictions, funerals, and other special services.
