Lance Carson
Incense is burned in a thurible, a vessel used in Christian liturgy for the burning of aromatic incense. The thurible is a metal censer that is suspended from chains and gently swung by the priest or thurifer to spread the fragrant smoke of the incense. Incense is placed on burning charcoal inside the thurible, where it melts to produce a sweet-smelling smoke. The use of incense in religious worship predates Christianity, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Incense is burned with the intention of making a symbolic or sacrificial offering to various deities or spirits, or to serve as an aid in prayer.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To burn incense during religious services |
| Composition | Metal censer, chains (typically three or four), metal ring, removable metal crucible, stand |
| Incense Types | Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, aromatics |
| Incense Forms | Grains, powder, sticks |
| Religious Groups | Catholics, Christians, Orthodox Christians, Lutherans, Anglicans, Hindus, Buddhists, Taoists, Shintoists |
| Uses | Purification, prayer, worship, ritual, symbolism, fragrance |
| Symbolism | Prayers of the faithful rising to heaven |
| Timing | Mass, Morning and Evening Prayers, Daily prayers, Vespers, Matins, funerals, benediction, Divine Liturgy |
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What You'll Learn
Incense types: frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal
Incense is placed upon burning charcoal in a thurible, where it melts to produce a sweet-smelling smoke. There are many different types of incense, including frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, and copal.
Frankincense is a popular fragrance that is often used in incense blends. It has a woody, forward-leaning scent with warm, almost citrus notes. Frankincense is believed to have various magical and spiritual qualities, aiding in intuition, inspiration, and divination.
Myrrh is another common type of incense, known for its soft, spicy, and floral fragrance. It is often blended with other resins such as amber and cedar to create calming and attention-evoking aromas.
Benzoin, or Styrax benzoin, is a smooth balsam resin with a floral and vanilla aroma. It is a popular ingredient in incense-making, especially in Russia and some other Orthodox Christian societies. Benzoin is also used in the production of scented wood chips, mixed resin incense, and incense sticks. It is said to have relaxing and sedative properties, helping to relieve anxiety and stress.
Styrax, or storax, is a resin derived from the Liquidambar orientalis tree. It has a rich, warm, and mildly spicy fragrance, often described as vanilla-like or amber-scented. Storax resin is used in incense and perfume-making and can be dissolved in oils and alcohol.
Copal incense is made from the resin of sacred copal trees found in tropical forests in Mexico and Central America. It has a woody and frankincense-forward scent with subtle citrus notes. Copal is believed to have magical qualities and is used to aid in intuition, inspiration, and divination. It is also said to be food for ancestral spirits and a way of showing gratitude.
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Incense preparation: burning charcoal, grains or powder
Incense is usually burned on top of charcoal placed inside a thurible, a vessel used in Christian liturgy. The thurible consists of a censer section, chains, a metal ring around the chains, and sometimes a removable metal crucible in which the burning charcoals are placed.
To prepare incense charcoal, first, light the charcoal disc or tablet. Charcoal discs are round, flat discs that are usually about 1 to 1.5 inches in diameter, while charcoal tablets are smaller and thicker, typically measuring around 0.75 to 1 inch in diameter. Both types are self-igniting and easy to light with a lighter or match. Hold the flame to the charcoal for 20-30 seconds until it sparks and crackles. Allow the charcoal to burn for 2-5 minutes until the surface turns from black to grey and a thin layer of ash forms, indicating that it is ready for incense.
Once the charcoal is ready, place your chosen incense upon it. Incense can come in various forms, such as sticks, cones, or loose powders, and can be made from natural materials like resins, herbs, or powders. The charcoal helps the incense burn evenly and steadily, releasing a consistent fragrance. The incense will melt on the charcoal, producing a sweet-smelling smoke.
It is important to note that the process of lighting and controlling charcoal requires attention to detail and a proper technique to enhance the fragrance and atmosphere of the space.
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Incense in Christianity: Catholic, Orthodox, Methodist
Incense plays a significant role in Christian worship, with its use varying across different denominations. The burning of incense is believed to have originated in ancient times, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization around 3600 BC.
Incense in the Catholic Church
The Catholic Church utilizes incense during Mass and other liturgical ceremonies. According to the Roman Missal, incense can be used at various points during Mass, including the entrance procession, the Gospel procession, and the elevation of the host and chalice after consecration. Incense is also employed during Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament and Eucharistic Adoration in the Roman Rite. The number of swings of the thurible, a metal container for burning incense, is specified in the liturgical instructions.
Incense in the Orthodox Church
In the Orthodox Christian tradition, incense is an integral part of church services. The priest uses a device called a "censor" or "censer" to burn incense, which fills the church with a pleasant aroma. The censor is often ornate and adorned with bells to create a jingling sound as the priest uses it. The act of censing, or swinging the thurible, is symbolic and represents the belief that prayers are rising to heaven and being heard by God. Incense is used during the Divine Liturgy, such as when the priest censes the Holy Altar and icons.
Incense in the Methodist Church
While there is limited specific information on the use of incense in the Methodist Church, it is likely that some Methodist congregations incorporate incense into their worship services, especially during solemn celebrations, funerals, and the consecration of churches or altars. The use of incense may vary depending on the specific Methodist tradition and the preferences of individual congregations.
Incense is used in Christian worship to engage the senses, symbolize sacred offerings, and enhance the spiritual experience. The specific practices and significance attached to incense vary across different Christian denominations, each with its own liturgical traditions and interpretations.
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Incense in other religions: Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, Hinduism
Incense is an integral part of many religious traditions and ceremonies, including Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and Hinduism.
Buddhism
Buddhist tradition involves burning incense in many Asian countries. In Buddhist temples, thick coiled incense is hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. The sticks of incense are then placed into individual censers located in front of the statues or plaques, either vertically or horizontally, depending on the region. The incense used in Buddhist temples varies widely in formula and scent.
Taoism
In Chinese Taoist 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, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. Individual sticks of incense are then placed vertically into individual censers located in front of the statues or plaques.
Shinto
In Japanese Shinto shrines, sticks of incense are placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash, as the sticks lack a supporting core that does not burn. The formula and scent of the incense sticks used in Shinto shrines vary widely.
Hinduism
Incense has been used in India since 3600 BC and is a traditional and ubiquitous practice in almost all pujas, prayers, and other forms of Hindu worship. Incense is offered to God in his various forms, such as Krishna and Rama, by rotating the sticks thrice in a clockwise direction.
In recent years, the use of traditional incense burners has been questioned due to the health risks associated with frequent exposure to incense smoke. As a result, various health-friendly electronic incense products have been developed as alternatives. Studies suggest that Buddhists show similar religiosity and worship intention when using traditional incense burners or electronic alternatives.
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Incense burners: thurible, censer, boat
A thurible is a metal censer in which incense is burned during religious services. The thurible is suspended from chains and is gently swung by the priest or thurifer to spread the fragrant smoke of the incense. A thurifer is an acolyte who carries the thurible. The incense is placed on burning charcoal inside the thurible, where it melts and produces a sweet-smelling smoke.
Censers are also used independently of thuribles, for example in the home during Morning and Evening Prayers. They can be made of terra-cotta or metal and come in various shapes, such as an open bowl with a handle or a closed receptacle with openings for smoke to escape.
The boat boy or boat bearer is a junior altar server position found in Catholic, Lutheran, and Anglican churches. They carry the incense boat, a small metal container that holds the supplies of incense and a small spoon used to transfer the grains of incense onto the red-hot charcoals in the thurible.
Thuribles and boats are often sold together as a set, with a variety of materials, finishes, and ornamental designs to choose from.
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Frequently asked questions
A thurible is a vessel used in the Christian liturgy for the burning of incense. It is made of metal and suspended from chains, which are traditionally three or four in number but simpler designs may have just one.
Incense is aromatic matter that releases fragrant smoke when burned. It is commonly used in religious worship, with origins dating back to thousands of years.
The incense used in a thurible varies. Commonly used incense for Catholics and Christians include frankincense and myrrh, two gifts presented to baby Jesus by the Three Wise Men. Other incense formulations include benzoin, styrax, copal or other aromatics.
To burn incense in a thurible, pieces of coal are first lit until they are red hot. The lit coal is placed into the censer and swung to help aerate the coal. Incense, typically in the form of grains or powder, is then spooned onto the hot coal.
