Lance Carson
Incense is an aromatic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term is used for either the material or the aroma. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, and ceremonial reasons. Asian incense, specifically from China, has a long and rich history and is a major incense producer in the world today. Chinese incense is made from diverse ingredients with much overlap with traditional Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. Some of the most commonly used ingredients include camphor, the dried powdered bark of Persea nanmu, aloeswood, and Sichuan peppers. Chinese incense also has a variety of burners, such as the hill censer, which became popular during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| History | The use of incense in Asia dates back thousands of years, with the earliest documented use in ancient China. |
| Forms | Incense can take many forms, including sticks, cones, and small balls. It can be burned directly or indirectly, with or without a separate heat source. |
| Ingredients | Incense is made from a variety of plant materials, minerals, and essential oils. Common ingredients include agarwood, sandalwood, camphor, Sichuan peppers, and cassia. |
| Uses | Incense is used for a variety of purposes, including aesthetic enjoyment, religious ceremonies, meditation, aromatherapy, and insect repellent. It is also believed to have physiological and psychological benefits. |
| Culture | Incense plays a significant role in Asian cultures, especially in China, Japan, and India, where it is used in traditional ceremonies, medicine, and art forms. |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in China
Incense has been an integral part of Chinese culture for thousands of years, with the first recorded use of incense in human history being in ancient China. The character for incense or aromatics was first recorded during the Shang Dynasty (c. 1600–1050 BCE), and the practice became more widespread during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The earliest known Chinese aromatics book was written approximately 2,500 years ago during the Han Dynasty (206 BC–AD 220), and since then, countless recipes have been developed and refined.
The use of incense in China is closely tied to the introduction of Buddhism. Incense clocks and calibrated incense sticks were first recorded by the poet Yu Jianwu (487–551) during the Northern and Southern dynasties period, and the use of incense timekeeping devices spread from Buddhist monasteries into secular society. Incense also plays an integral role in Buddhist ceremonies, and it was through Buddhism that the practice of using incense spread to Japan.
During the Song dynasty (960–1279), incense use in China reached its height, with nobility enjoying it as a popular cultural pastime and constructing rooms dedicated to incense ceremonies. The "right" incense was the epitome of style and refinement, and innovations during this period included the first incense sticks, seal incense, and the development of a minimalist style of incense burners. Artistic and cultural activities during the Song dynasty were often accompanied by incense, and it was commonly used by intellectuals and nobility when composing poetry, playing musical instruments, hosting feasts, or during meditation.
The techniques for making incense sticks continued to mature during the Ming and Qing dynasties, and incense sticks became the dominant form of burning incense. However, with the fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912, the practice of incense declined as more pressing issues took precedence. In recent years, however, incense has started to make a slow comeback into modern Chinese life.
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Incense ingredients
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The ingredients used in incense differ based on the underlying culture and have evolved with technological advancements.
Historical Ingredients
Historically, incense was made using locally available ingredients. For example, indigenous North Americans used sage and cedar, while the Chinese used four key ingredients: Lan & Hui flowers, Sichuan Peppers, and Cassia cinnamon. The use of Lan and Hui flowers in Chinese incense dates back to ancient times, with Lan flowers being cultivated for palaces and gardens for over two millennia. Cassia cinnamon, also known as Chinese cinnamon, was once a rare and highly prized ingredient reserved for important gift-giving occasions for nobility.
Common Ingredients
Agarwood, also known as aloeswood, jinko/jinkoh (Japanese), oud/oudh (Arabic), or chenxiang (Chinese), is one of the most important ingredients in Chinese and Japanese incense. It is formed when parts of the Aquilaria tree become infected and produce a dark resin, causing the previously light wood to become extremely dense. This dense area is called a "fragrant knot" and can sink in water, giving agarwood its Chinese name, which translates to "incense that sinks in water." Sandalwood, or tanxiang in Chinese, is another critical component of Chinese and Japanese incense, known for its sweet scent and medicinal properties. It is often combined with agarwood in traditional Chinese incense, which is shaped into small balls rather than sticks.
Other Ingredients
Other ingredients used in Asian incense include musk, citrus peel, Sichuan pepper, camphor, and various types of wood such as Chinese cedar and nanmu. The bamboo species Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens is commonly used for producing the sticks due to its thick wood and ability to burn easily. The paste that coats the bamboo sticks typically consists of charcoal dust, adhesives made from tree bark, and perfume ingredients like masala (spice mix) or synthetic fragrances.
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Incense burners
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. It is used for a variety of purposes, including aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, and ceremonial uses. Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils.
The use of incense in China dates back to the Neolithic period and became more prominent during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. During the Han dynasty, there was increased trade and acquisition of more fragrant foreign incense materials. Chinese incense is made from diverse ingredients, including flowers, peppers, cinnamon, and woods such as aloeswood and sandalwood.
Very large censers, sometimes resembling ancient ritual bronze vessels, are often placed in the courtyards of Buddhist and Daoist temples. The use of incense burners is not limited to religious contexts; they are also used in traditional Chinese medicine and daily life. For example, incense clocks (xiangzhong) were used for timekeeping in ancient China, and the practice of burning incense, known as xiangdao, is considered an art form involving various utensils and containers.
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Incense in Buddhism
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term refers to both the material and the aroma. It is used for a variety of purposes, including aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, meditation, and ceremonies. Incense is composed of aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils.
Incense is an integral part of Buddhism. It is a sacred offering, honouring the Triple Gem of the Buddha, his Dharma, and the Sangha. The burning of incense teaches the necessity of burning away negative qualities to reveal one's pure self, with the aroma purifying the atmosphere and inspiring the development of a pure mind. The fragrant smoke produced during burning spreads far and wide, symbolising how a good deed brings benefits to many.
Burning incense is an ancient practice found in all schools of Buddhism. It is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha. Incense was offered to revered persons, alongside flowers, food, drink, and garments, as a sign of respect. Offering incense at an altar is a universal Buddhist ritual, though Buddhists may interpret its meaning differently. Most basically, incense is thought to purify the space, creating a tranquil mood. In some schools, incense may have a particular symbolic meaning. For example, three sticks burned together might signify the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the dharma, and the sangha.
In Buddhism, incense is usually lit from a candle flame. One standard practice involves bowing to the Buddha image with palms pressed together, then lighting one end of the incense stick (leaving one hand in the palms-together position). In Asia, blowing out the flame is considered disrespectful. Instead, people may wave the incense sticks to extinguish them or fan the flames with their hands. Burning incense sticks can cause blisters, so caution is necessary. The sticks are often planted into an incense bowl, which can be made of ceramic or metal.
There are two main types of incense: direct-burning and indirect-burning. Direct-burning incense is lit directly by a flame and then fanned or blown out, leaving a glowing ember that slowly releases a smoky fragrance. Indirect-burning incense, also known as non-combustible incense, cannot burn on its own and requires a separate heat source. Direct-burning incense comes in various forms, including a paste formed around a bamboo stick or extruded into a stick or cone shape. The combustible base of direct-burning incense not only binds the fragrant materials together but also allows the incense to burn slowly and evenly.
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Incense in daily life
Incense has been used in Asia for thousands of years, with the practice dating back to ancient India and China. In daily life, incense is used for a variety of purposes, including aesthetic reasons, aromatherapy, meditation, and as a deodorant or insect repellent.
Aesthetic Purposes
Incense is often used to create a pleasant aroma in a space. The fragrant smoke released by burning incense can enhance the atmosphere of a room or environment. This use of incense is especially popular in China, where it is known as "xiang" (香), which translates to "fragrance", "scent", "aroma", "perfume", or "spice". The practice of burning incense, known as xiangdao (香道), involves using various utensils and containers to burn incense, such as tongs, spatulas, and special moulds to create ideograms with incense powder.
Aromatherapy and Meditation
Incense is also used in aromatherapy and meditation practices. The different fragrances of incense can have calming and relaxing effects, aiding in meditation and promoting mental well-being. The practice of burning incense can also be a meditative act in itself, requiring focus and attention.
Deodorant and Insect Repellent
Incense can also be used as a natural deodorant, helping to counteract or obscure unpleasant odours. Additionally, certain types of incense, due to their fragrant smoke, can act as an effective insect repellent.
Other Uses
In traditional Chinese medicine, incense was believed to have physiological and psychological benefits. For example, according to the Bencao Gangmu pharmacopoeia, camphor was recommended for treating eye troubles and cataracts. Incense was also used in timekeeping, with the consistent burn rate of incense sticks used to mark the passage of time.
Today, incense continues to play a role in the daily lives of many people in Asia and around the world, with a variety of incense blends and burners available to suit different tastes and purposes.
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Frequently asked questions
Incense is an aromatic biotic material that releases fragrant smoke when burnt. The term is used for either the material or the aroma. Incense is used for aesthetic reasons, religious worship, aromatherapy, and ceremonial reasons.
Chinese incense is made from diverse ingredients with much overlap with traditional Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. Some of the most common ingredients include camphor, the dried powdered bark of Persea nanmu, aloeswood, sandalwood, and musk.
Incense is burned in Asia for a variety of reasons. In China, it is used in religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and in daily life. Incense is also used in art, with the practice of xiangdao (香道) involving various utensils and containers to burn incense, often used to enhance a personal space.
One of the most popular types of traditional Chinese incense is called 鹅梨帐中香, which uses a sweet combination of sandalwood and agarwood. Other popular types of incense include those made from aloeswood, frankincense, cloves, patchouli, and myrrh.
