Antonio Mcgowan
Incense has been an integral part of Chinese culture for centuries, with a rich history that dates back to the Neolithic period and flourished under various dynasties. In the present day, the city of Jiangmen in the Guangdong Province is known for its incense production, housing factories in the Xinhui District. The practice of incense burning, known as xiangdao or the way of the scent, holds significant cultural and spiritual value in China, with a belief that it creates a sacred bridge between the earthly and the divine. With over 400 types of incense ingredients and more than 100 blends commonly used, the art of incense in China showcases a diverse range of scents and forms, such as sticks, coils, and cones, each designed for specific occasions and spaces.
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What You'll Learn
History of incense in China
The use of incense in China dates back thousands of years, with the first recorded use of incense in human history being in ancient China. For much of Chinese history, incense has been integral to a person's spiritual and physical life. It was used as a drug, spice, perfume, and connector to otherworldly forces.
The earliest vessels identified as censers (incense burners) date back to the mid-fifth to late fourth centuries BCE during the Warring States period. The earliest documented use of incense comes from ancient China, where it was composed of herbs and plant products such as cassia, cinnamon, styrax, and sandalwood. Incense was used in numerous formalized ceremonial rites, with incense usage reaching its peak during the Song dynasty. Many buildings were erected specifically for incense ceremonies, and the Imperial Court founded the "Incense and Medicine Repository" to oversee the import of agarwood and other spices and medicines.
The introduction of Buddhism to China brought about the use of calibrated incense sticks and incense clocks. The poet Yu Jianwu (487–551) recorded: "By burning incense we know the o'clock of the night, With graduated candles we confirm the tally of the watches." The use of these incense timekeeping devices spread from Buddhist monasteries into secular society. Incense was also used in traditional Chinese medicine, with similar ingredients and processing techniques involved in the production of incense and medicines.
Incense culture flourished during the Tang dynasty (618–907 AD), encouraged by strong trade, the spread of Buddhist beliefs, and frequent exchange with foreign countries. The most commonly used incense spices during this time included agarwood, camphor, snowdrop bush, clove, and Dipterocarpaceae. Agarwood was considered the most luxurious and was favoured by royalty.
The fall of the Qing dynasty in 1912 brought an end to imperial rule, and the practice of incense, along with many traditional cultural practices, came to a halt. However, in recent years, incense has started to make a comeback in modern Chinese life.
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Incense ingredients and their uses
Incense is deeply rooted in Chinese culture and has been used in religious and cultural practices for centuries. The earliest documented use of incense comes from Ancient China, where it was composed of herbs and plant products. Today, there are over 400 types of incense ingredients used in Chinese incense, and over 100 incense blends that are commonly used.
Binders
Incense is made by powdering and blending ingredients, then mixing them with water and forming them into shape. The blend usually includes a binder, which is necessary to activate the incense and allow it to burn. Common binders include joss powder (also called jiggit or tabu no ki, and incorrectly, makko), and gum binders such as guar gum or xanthan gum. Makko is a special blend that includes tabu no ki and clove, and possibly sandalwood. It is a popular choice for incense makers as it simplifies the process.
Aromatics
The aromatic ingredients are what give the incense its scent. Common aromatics include essential oils, decoctions, hydrosols, and other extracts. Floral fragrances are the most common, but citrus scents like lemon are also used. Agarwood, sandalwood, aloeswood, camphor, and musk are considered the principal ingredients in Chinese incense. Agarwood is highly valued and the highest grade, called Kyara, is rare and has distinct aromatic characteristics. Sandalwood is also highly prized and is often used in traditional Chinese medicine and sculptures. Other natural ingredients used include roots and bark, such as magnolia, peony, and cypress, as well as plants and spices.
Uses
Incense is used in religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional Chinese medicine, and daily life. It is also burned to mask less desirable odours, such as in funerary ceremonies. In most Arab countries, incense is burned in the form of scented chips or blocks called bakhoor, and is used on special occasions or to perfume a house.
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Medicinal and culinary applications
Incense has been used in China for over 2000 years, and it has played a significant role in various aspects of Chinese culture, including traditional medicine and cooking.
Medicinal Applications
The use of incense in traditional Chinese medicine is well-documented. Incense ingredients such as camphor, agarwood (also known as aloeswood or oud/oudh in Arabic), sandalwood, and cassia are believed to have therapeutic benefits. For example, according to the Bencao Gangmu pharmacopoeia, camphor was used to "cure evil vapors in the heart and belly and was especially recommended for eye troubles, including cataracts." Agarwood, with its sweet and floral aroma, is also believed to have medicinal properties and has been used in Chinese medicine for over 2000 years. Sandalwood is another important ingredient in Chinese incense, known for its rich, creamy aroma and its ability to promote relaxation and inner peace. It is commonly used in Buddhist meditation practices to help deepen concentration.
The art of creating medical incense is passed down through families, with specific traditions and techniques. For instance, in the family of Shi Yali, an inheritor of the medical incense-making craft, only women were allowed to learn the craft, while men learned traditional medicine, which was considered superior. The process of making medical incense is time-consuming and energy-intensive, as each ingredient must be prepared at a specific time.
Culinary Applications
Incense ingredients have also been used as cooking spices in China. Sichuan peppers, cassia (cinnamon), and Lan and Hui flowers were popular incense ingredients before the 6th century and were likely used in cooking as well. In addition to these unique ingredients, many common spices used in cooking, such as cinnamon, styrax, and sandalwood, have also been used in incense blends.
While the specific principal scent of Jiangmen City incense and its culinary uses are unclear, the rich history of incense in China suggests that it has likely played a role in both medicine and cooking throughout the centuries.
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Incense burners and designs
Incense burners, also known as censers, have been used for centuries in various cultures and religions, including Christianity, Buddhism, and traditional Chinese practices. The design of incense burners can vary depending on the type of incense being used and the specific cultural or religious context.
In the past, incense burners were often made of metal and featured intricate designs, such as chains or handles, that allowed for easy transportation during religious ceremonies. Today, incense burners come in a variety of materials, including concrete, bronze, and wood, and can be found in various shapes and sizes to accommodate different types of incense sticks, cones, or spirals.
When choosing an incense burner, it is important to consider the type of incense you will be using. For example, Japanese and Chinese incense sticks without a bamboo core will require a different type of holder than those with a core. The length and thickness of the incense stick can also determine the design of the burner, as longer or thicker sticks may require a holder that stands the incense upright to catch the falling ash.
The aesthetics of the incense burner are also an important consideration. The burner should complement the style of your home and your personal preferences. Whether you choose a simple, minimalist design or a more ornate and decorative burner, ensure that it is easy to care for and clean.
Additionally, it is worth noting that incense burners can serve both functional and symbolic purposes. They not only hold the incense upright during burning but also help separate the burning incense from surfaces that could be damaged or catch fire. Incense burners can also be used to enhance the fragrance of the incense, with longer holders that angle the incense stick allowing for better scent dispersion.
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Cultural and religious significance
Incense holds a significant cultural and religious role in China, with a long and rich history of use. 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. Since then, incense has been used in a wide range of cultural activities, including religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and daily life.
In Chinese culture, incense is more than just a fragrance; it is believed to be a sacred bridge between the earthly and the divine. The act of burning incense is a ritualistic preparation that signals the mind and body to enter a space of mindfulness and spiritual engagement. The smoke from incense is believed to carry prayers to the heavens, with the strength of the fragrance conveying the prayers of the faithful to heaven. Incense is also burned to honour ancestors and is used in rituals exalting deities, such as the Jade Emperor.
Incense is also used in religious ceremonies and festivals, where it symbolises purification and the connection to the divine. The aromatic scents are believed to facilitate concentration and ease the mind into a state of tranquility, enhancing the meditative practice. This belief in the power of incense to cleanse, protect, and elevate makes it a vital part of celebrations and solemn observances.
The use of incense in Chinese culture is deeply intertwined with the concept of Feng Shui. Scents can be influenced by the five elements of metal, fire, earth, water, and wood, or Yin/Yang energetics, and are used to bring balance and harmony. The selection and placement of plants in Chinese gardens follow these principles, with each plant chosen based on its symbolic connection to nature and the seasons.
Incense also holds medicinal value in Chinese culture. Traditional Chinese medicine recognises the healing properties of incense ingredients, using them to treat various ailments. The purification properties of incense smoke are believed to clean the air, especially in crowded rooms, and may be used to kill germs. The use of incense in funerary ceremonies is also significant, as the strong fragrances can obscure the scent of decay.
The art of incense burning, known as xiangdao (香道), has developed into a sophisticated practice in China, with various utensils and paraphernalia used in ceramic containers to burn incense, such as tongs, spatulas, and special moulds to create ideograms with incense powder. The Japanese art of incense, "koh-do" or the "way of incense", was also introduced to Japan by Buddhist monks from China, showcasing the influence of Chinese incense culture on neighbouring countries.
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