Seamus Hammond
Chinese incense has a rich history, dating back to the Neolithic period and gaining prominence during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The word xiang in Chinese refers not only to incense but also to fragrance, scent, aroma, perfume, and spice. Over the centuries, Chinese incense art has evolved, with ingredients like Lan flowers, Hui flowers, Sichuan pepper, cassia cinnamon, and various types of wood such as sandalwood and agarwood, playing a pivotal role in creating aromatic and medicinal blends. Traditional Chinese incense is often shaped into small balls instead of sticks and burned in electric incense burners. While there are many varieties of Chinese incense available today, some well-regarded options include Kin Objects, Dr. Incense, and Jingren Incense.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Traditional Chinese name | 香道 (xiāngdào) |
| English translation | Incense way |
| Common ingredients | Lan flowers, hui flowers, Sichuan pepper, cassia cinnamon, sandalwood, agarwood, aloeswood, jinko, oud, Zhangnao (camphor), Persea nanmu bark, bamboo |
| Bamboo species | Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens, Phyllostachys edulis |
| Burners | Hill censer (boshanlu), bird or animal-shaped censers, hand-held censers, scenting globes (xiangqiu), large censers |
| Brands | Kin Objects, Dr. Incense, Incense House, Bosen, Jingren |
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What You'll Learn
Chinese incense history and tradition
Incense, or 'xiang' in Chinese, has been used in China for thousands of years, dating back to the Neolithic period and the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The practice of burning incense was brought to China from Japan via Buddhism and Buddhist scriptures, which value the use of incense in ceremonies. The earliest documented use of incense was in ancient China, with the first known Chinese aromatics book written approximately 2,500 years ago during the Han dynasty (206 BC–220 AD). During this time, incense was used for various purposes, including aromatizing rooms and clothing, religious ceremonies, and as a leisure activity for scholars and nobility.
The art of burning incense in China developed into a sophisticated practice called xiangdao, which involves various utensils and paraphernalia placed on a special small table. This includes tongs, spatulas, and moulds to create ideograms with incense powder. The burning of incense is often accompanied by other arts such as tea drinking, calligraphy, and guqin playing.
The production of incense in China involves the use of diverse ingredients, with significant overlap with traditional Chinese herbal pharmacopoeia. Some of the most commonly used ingredients include camphor, the dried powdered bark of Persea nanmu, and local plants such as the Lan flower and Sichuan pepper. Agarwood, also known as chenxiang, and sandalwood, or tanxiang, are considered the two most important ingredients in Chinese incense. Agarwood, in particular, was favoured by royalty and considered the most luxurious.
The burning of incense in China holds cultural and religious significance. It is used in a wide range of cultural activities, including religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and daily life. Incense was also used as a form of timekeeping, with poet Yu Jianwu (487–551) recording the use of incense clocks: "By burning incense we know the o'clock of the night, With graduated candles we confirm the tally of the watches."
In terms of specific incense recommendations, one source mentions Qi Nan as a top-quality agarwood incense, though it is difficult to obtain and can be expensive. Another source mentions the popularity of an incense called "Go Li Zhang Zhong Xiang", which combines sandalwood and agarwood. This incense is made by steaming a pear filled with the two types of wood powder and then drying the contents. It is worth noting that traditional Chinese incense is often shaped into small balls instead of sticks and burned using an electric incense burner.
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Incense ingredients and their health benefits
Incense is an integral part of Chinese culture and is used in a wide range of cultural activities, including religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and in daily life. The Chinese word for incense, "xiang", also means "fragrance, scent, aroma, perfume, and spice", reflecting the diverse uses of incense ingredients.
There are over 400 types of incense ingredients used in Chinese incense, with many of these ingredients having medicinal, physiological, and psychological benefits. Here are some of the most commonly used ingredients and their potential health benefits:
Lan Flowers
The scent of Lan flowers became widely associated with Chinese aristocratic high morality. The flower has been cultivated for centuries in palaces and gardens, and its aroma is believed to create a sense of nobility and virtue.
Hui Flowers
Hui flowers, with their multiple flowers on a stem, offer a unique fragrance that is different from that of the Lan flower.
Sichuan Peppers
Native to the Sichuan province of China, Sichuan peppers create a tingly, numbing sensation in the mouth. They are highly aromatic and contribute an enticing lemony smell to incense.
Cassia Cinnamon
Also known as Chinese cinnamon, this spice was once rare and highly prized, reserved for important gift-giving occasions for nobility. It has a sweet and almost floral aroma and is also used in traditional Chinese medicine and meat preparations.
Aloeswood
Aloeswood, also known as agarwood, is a highly valued ingredient in incense. It is often expensive and is appreciated in formal settings.
Sandalwood
Sandalwood is a prized incense ingredient worldwide for its warm, smooth, and long-lasting fragrance. There are two main types: Indian Sandalwood, which is typically more expensive and has a richer, gentler scent, and Australian Sandalwood, which tends to be milder, sweeter, and more refreshing.
Camphor
Camphor is believed to have medicinal properties, curing evil vapors in the heart and belly and being beneficial for eye troubles, including cataracts.
Musk
Musk has a deep, heady aroma and is often used in small quantities to enhance the fragrance of other ingredients.
It is important to note that while these ingredients may have historical or cultural associations with health benefits, the effectiveness of incense for medicinal or therapeutic purposes is not guaranteed and may vary depending on the specific ingredients, preparation methods, and individual responses.
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Incense burners and vessels
One of the most celebrated early incense burner designs is the hill censer ("boshanlu" 博山爐), which became popular during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han (141–87 BCE). These burners were elaborately designed with apertures that made the rising incense smoke resemble clouds or mist swirling around a mountain peak. Some scholars believe these censers depict sacred mountains such as Mount Kunlun or Mount Penglai. Other popular designs include censers shaped like birds or animals, small "scenting globes" ("xiangqiu" 香球), and handheld censers ("shoulu" 手爐).
The Ming dynasty (1368-1644) saw the refinement of bronze shapes and the elevation of the globular tripod censer into one of the most revered forms of Chinese bronzes. During this period, censers were also cast in a variety of shapes and sizes, including stylised lobed forms and naturalistically cast peach-shaped vessels. The weight of a censer is closely related to its material, production, and usage. Ritual censers tend to be larger to impart ceremonial gravitas, while those used in secular contexts are often smaller and more portable.
In addition to their aesthetic and aromatic value, incense burners hold symbolic significance in Chinese culture. The shape of the vessels is intentionally designed to accumulate incense ash at the bottom over repeated use, as ash is considered a tangible expression of immaterial deities. The smooth curves of the burners also mimic traditional food containers or pots, reflecting the direct correlation between incense burning and nourishment for the afterlife.
Incense burners are an integral part of the sophisticated art form that has developed around incense burning in China, known as "xiangdao" (香道). This art form involves various paraphernalia and utensils, such as tongs, spatulas, and special moulds to create ideograms with incense powder, all placed on a small table. It is often used to enhance personal spaces and accompany other arts such as tea drinking and guqin playing.
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Incense art and its cultural significance
Incense has been an integral part of Chinese culture since the Neolithic period, with its use becoming more prominent during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The word for incense in Chinese, "xiang" (香), also means "fragrance", "scent", "aroma", "perfume", and "spice", reflecting the diverse applications of incense beyond its burnt form.
The art of incense burning in China, known as "xiangdao" (香道), involves intricate rituals and utensils, enhancing personal spaces and accompanying other arts such as tea drinking and guqin playing. The process includes the use of tongs, spatulas, and special moulds to create ideograms with incense powder, all carefully arranged on a small table. The incense itself is often made from bamboo species, with the most common type being Phyllostachys heterocycla cv. pubescens due to its thick wood and ease of burning to ashes. Other ingredients include camphor, the powdered bark of Persea nanmu for binding, and aromatic plants such as Lan flowers, hui flowers, Sichuan pepper, and cassia cinnamon.
The earliest vessels for burning incense, known as censers, date back to the mid-fifth to late fourth centuries BCE during the Warring States period. One of the most celebrated early censer designs is the hill censer (boshanlu 博山爐), which became popular during the reign of Emperor Wu of Han. These censers were elaborately crafted to resemble sacred mountains, with apertures that made the rising incense smoke resemble mist swirling around a mountain peak. Other popular designs included animal shapes, "scenting globes" (xiangqiu 香球), and hand-held censers (shoulu 手爐).
Incense holds significant cultural and spiritual value in China. It is used in religious and ancestral ceremonies, traditional medicine, and daily life. During the Han dynasty (206 BC – AD 220), there was increased trade and acquisition of foreign incense materials, reflecting the importance of incense in Chinese culture. The art of incense-making and burning has been refined over centuries, with ancient books such as xiang cheng 香乘 guiding incense artists in remaking traditional recipes.
Today, incense continues to be valued for its fragrance and its ability to enhance spiritual and wellness practices, such as meditation and yoga. The tradition of incense burning and its cultural significance have endured, with modern enthusiasts seeking out authentic and natural incense sticks for their rituals and ceremonies.
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Where to buy the best Chinese incense
Chinese incense, or 'xiang', has been used since the Neolithic period, coming into prominence during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties. The practice of incense burning, or xiangdao, is a sophisticated art form with a rich history and cultural significance in China.
When it comes to purchasing the best Chinese incense, there are a few options to consider. Firstly, it is important to distinguish between low-quality and high-quality incense. Some sources suggest that the "Chinese incense" sold on websites like AliExpress or in local Chinese stores is often of poor quality. Instead, it may be worth exploring specialty stores or seeking out traditional incense makers.
One recommended source is Dr. Incense, who offers monthly releases of high-end incense made with traditional Chinese recipes and processing techniques. Another option is Kin Objects, which also produces incense using ancient techniques and natural ingredients. Their website provides educational content on the history of Chinese incense and its ingredients.
For those seeking a more exclusive experience, agarwood incense, also known as Qi Nan, is considered a top-quality option. However, acquiring the authentic product may be challenging unless one has connections to Chinese collector circles.
Lastly, websites like Amazon and Lulu Incense also offer a variety of Chinese incense sticks, cones, and burners. Lulu Incense, in particular, curates its products to enhance spiritual and sensory experiences, offering free shipping and promotions on select items.
In summary, while there are various sources for purchasing Chinese incense, it is important to discern between low- and high-quality offerings. Traditional incense makers, such as Dr. Incense and Kin Objects, may provide a more authentic and premium experience, while specialty websites like Lulu Incense offer convenience and a curated selection.
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Frequently asked questions
The top-quality Chinese incense is called Qi Nan 奇楠, made from agarwood, and it can be sold for over $1000 per gram. However, it is very difficult to obtain even for Chinese collectors, unless they are part of a small collector circle.
Agarwood is a popular incense material in China, and a 20g pack of Jingren Incense - Agarwood can be purchased for $2.99. Dr. Incense is also highly regarded, as they spend a lot of resources translating and researching old Chinese recipes and processing techniques.
Traditional Chinese incense is often shaped into small balls instead of sticks and burned at low to high temperatures. Popular ingredients include sandalwood, cypress, Sichuan pepper, and cinnamon.
