Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used in religious ceremonies since ancient times, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and it has been employed in Christian worship since antiquity. The burning of incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of prayer rising to heaven. Incense is used in the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and other services.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. The practice is rooted in the traditions of Judaism. |
| The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. | |
| Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense. | |
| Incense use in religious ritual was either further or simultaneously developed in China, and eventually transmitted to Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. | |
| Usage | Incense is used in Christian worship at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, in particular at Solemn Vespers, at Solemn Evensong, at funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and at other services. |
| Incense is used at virtually every service 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 increasingly being used among other Christian groups, such as Methodism. | |
| Symbolism | The smoke of burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. |
| Incense is often used as part of a purification ritual. | |
| Burning incense is also a sign of reverence and dedication. | |
| Incense is a mark of honour paid to the offerings that are going to become the Body and Blood of Christ. |
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What You'll Learn
- Incense is used in Christian worship to symbolise the purification of prayers rising to heaven
- The practice of burning incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible
- Incense is used in the Mass to show reverence for people and things
- The use of incense in Christianity is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism
- Incense is used in the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, and other services
Incense is used in Christian worship to symbolise the purification of prayers rising to heaven
The use of incense in Christian worship is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its symbolism is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism. Incense has been employed in Christian worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
Incense is often used as part of a purification ritual, and it is also used to reverence people and things, especially during the Offertory of the Mass. Incense is also a sign of adoration and worship given to Christ, truly present upon the altar. It is a mark of honour paid to the offerings that are going to become the Body and Blood of Christ. Incense is also a kind of petition, a deeply meaningful one. Through it, Christians pray that the Church's offering and prayer may mount to heaven, to the presence of God above, like a veritable cloud of incense.
The use of incense goes far back in time, and it has been used in religious ceremonies in many different cultures. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty, 2345-2494 BC, were the first in the non-Asian world to discover the use of incense, which was used by Hindus for centuries by the time of the 5th Dynasty. Incense use in religious ritual was either further or simultaneously developed in China, and eventually transmitted to Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines.
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The practice of burning incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible
The burning of incense has been a common practice in religious ceremonies across the world, including in India, China, Greece, Egypt, and East Asian countries, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism. The Bible contains 24 verses that refer to incense, with most references appearing in the Old Testament.
The practice of burning incense in Christianity is believed to be a sign of reverence and dedication. Incensing the body during a funeral Mass, for example, is a sign of reverence for the body that once housed the soul. Incensing the Book of Gospels, the altar, and the Easter candle are all done as a sign of respect for Christ and his sacrifice. The smoke that arises from burning incense is also considered to be symbolic of prayers rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." Similarly, in the Revelation of John, incense symbolizes the prayers of the saints in heaven, with the "golden bowl full of incense" representing the "prayers of the saints" (Revelation 5:8, cf. Revelation 8:3).
The use of incense in Christian worship can vary depending on the branch of Christianity. While some Christians may choose not to burn incense, others, such as Catholics, typically burn holy incense in church as part of purification rituals. Incense is used at the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, and other services. It is also employed in various denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Lutheran Churches, Orthodox Christian churches, and some Anglican Churches.
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Incense is used in the Mass to show reverence for people and things
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries a rich Christian symbolism. Incense has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. Incense is also increasingly used among some other Christian groups, such as Methodism.
The burning of incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." Similarly, in the Revelation of John, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, with references to a "golden bowl full of incense" and the "smoke of incense" rising towards the altar of God.
The use of incense in Christian worship can also be traced back to its mention in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Exodus. In Chapter 30, Moses is instructed to make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense, and Aaron is to burn incense each morning and evening. The ingredients for the incense are also specified, including perfumes such as stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense.
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The use of incense in Christianity is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism
Incense holds a significant role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto rituals. In these traditions, incense is burned as a symbolic or sacrificial offering to various deities, spirits, or ancestors. It is also used to serve as an aid in prayer, purifying the surroundings and bringing forth an assembly of divine beings.
The practice of burning incense in Judaism is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Exodus. God instructs Moses to create an altar of acacia wood for burning incense, and Aaron, the high priest, is commanded to burn incense every morning and evening. The composition of the incense is described in detail, including the use of sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and pure frankincense. The burning of incense in the Temple is also mentioned in the Talmud and subsequent rabbinic literature.
In Christianity, the use of incense is inspired by passages in the Bible and carries symbolic meaning. It is interpreted as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven, as mentioned in Psalm 141: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice." Incense is used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, at funerals, benediction, and other liturgical rites. It is employed as a sign of reverence and dedication, showing respect for Christ and his sacrifice.
Thus, the use of incense in Christianity has its roots in the earlier traditions of Judaism, with both religions utilising incense as a form of offering and prayer, as well as adapting its symbolic significance to their respective beliefs.
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Incense is used in the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, and other services
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries a symbolic meaning. Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity, especially in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
The preparation of the altar involves a series of rituals, including the blessing of the incense by the celebrant and the imposition of incense three times. The celebrant then begins by incensing the gifts, followed by the altar cross, and then the altar itself. The incense is burned during these rituals using a thurible, a metal incense burner suspended from chains. The person who carries the thurible is called the thurifer, and they may be assisted by a "boat bearer" who carries the receptacle for the incense.
The use of incense during the celebration of the Eucharist and other services is not limited to the Roman Catholic Church. The Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches of Evangelical Catholic churchmanship, and Anglican churches of Anglo-Catholic churchmanship also use incense frequently, with some churches employing it at almost every service. The use of incense in these churches is not just limited to the Eucharist but also includes other services such as Vespers, Matins, and funeral or memorial services.
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Frequently asked questions
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and it has been used in Christian worship since antiquity. It is often used as a part of a purification ritual and is also a sign of reverence and dedication.
Incense is seen as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as the evening sacrifice."
Incense used in Christian liturgies is often made with frankincense, a resin produced by a family of desert trees that grow in southern Arabia. It is derived from a sap that dries, forming crystalline lumps of an amber/gold colour.
Incense may be used in Christian worship at the celebration of the Eucharist, at solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, in particular at Solemn Vespers, at Solemn Evensong, at funerals, benediction and exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and at other services.
The Bible makes several references to incense. In Exodus 30, Moses is told to make an altar of acacia wood for burning incense, and Aaron is instructed to burn incense morning and evening. In Revelation 5:8, St. John describes the elders as having "gold bowls filled with incense, which are the prayers of the holy ones."
