Lance Carson
Incense is a fragrant material that has been burned for centuries in many spiritual and religious rituals worldwide. Its use in prayer and worship carries with it a symbolic meaning that varies across different religions. For example, in Christianity, the smoke from burning incense is seen as a symbol of prayers rising to heaven. In this religion, it is used in the morning, noon, and night. On the other hand, in Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. Incense is also burned in the morning as a way to start the day on a positive note.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Christianity, Hinduism, Chinese Taoism, Japanese Shinto, Buddhism |
| Reason for burning incense | Worship, prayer, sacrifice, ritual purification, evoking memories, aiding meditation |
| Type of incense | Thick coiled incense, incense sticks, cones, powders |
| Incense ingredients | Frankincense, myrrh, benzoin, styrax, copal, sandalwood, jasmine, palo santo, lemon, peppermint, lavender |
| Incense burner | Censer, thurible |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Christian worship
Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity. The practice is rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is reflected 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 is employed in worship by various Christian denominations, including the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. It is also increasingly used by other Christian groups, such as Methodists, who include incense in their Evening Praise and Prayer services.
In Christian worship, incense is used at the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, benediction, exposition of the Eucharist, the consecration of a church or altar, and other services. It is also used to purify the coffin at funerals and to bless statues and images. The burning of incense is mentioned in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Revelation, where it symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven.
The use of incense in Christian worship is not without controversy. Some Christians associate it with paganism and idolatrous practices, and there are concerns about the potential negative health effects of incense smoke. However, for many Christians, burning incense is a meaningful way to enhance their prayers and worship.
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Incense in Catholic liturgy
Incense has been used in Christian worship since antiquity, and its use is inspired by passages in the Bible. In the Old Testament, God commanded His people to burn incense as a form of sacrifice or offering to Him. This practice is rooted in the earlier traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple.
The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by both the Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is also used to symbolise the act of purification and sanctification. In the Catholic liturgy, people and objects are incensed to make and keep them holy through prayer. Incense is burned before the celebration of the Eucharist, at Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, benediction, and the consecration of a church or altar.
The visual imagery of the smoke and its fragrance reinforce the transcendence of the Mass, linking Heaven and Earth and allowing the congregation to enter into the presence of God. The smoke symbolises the burning zeal of faith, while the fragrance symbolises Christian virtue.
The practice of burning incense at home is also customary for many Christians, especially to commemorate special Feast Days or mark times of prayer.
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Incense in Orthodox Christian churches
Incense has been used in religious rituals since antiquity, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The use of incense in Orthodox Christian churches is steeped in rich symbolism and history, dating back to the fourth century.
The practice of burning incense in Christian liturgy has its roots in earlier Judaic traditions, where incense was a regular part of temple rituals. In Orthodox Christian worship, incense is not just a ritual purification but also a participation in the divine mysteries. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. The chains from which the censer swings represent these prayers, and the censing of icons is believed to bestow honour upon the saints depicted.
The ritual of preparing incense for a service is meticulous and symbolic. The priest or an assistant combines frankincense, a tree resin, with various aromatic oils to create a specific scent. This process represents the care and intention placed into every aspect of Orthodox worship. The resulting fragrance is a sensory reminder of faith that lingers long after the service ends.
The use of incense in Orthodox Christian churches varies depending on the liturgical calendar and specific church service. More incense is used during high feasts, accentuating the sacredness of holy days and the hierarchy within the church. During processions, the censer leads the way, emphasising the movement from one holy space to another. Incense is also used during the celebration of the Eucharist, at funerals, and at the consecration of a church or altar, among other services.
The integration of incense in Orthodox worship creates an atmosphere that speaks a silent language of the sacred. It is a sensory experience that engages believers in the sacred mysteries, reinforcing the transcendence of the liturgy and allowing worshippers to feel enveloped by the divine.
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Incense in Jewish religious practice
The use of incense in religious practice has its origins in antiquity. The burning of incense may be intended as a symbolic or sacrificial offering to various deities or spirits, or to serve as an aid in prayer. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. The 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 holds an important role in Jewish religious practice, with its roots in the earlier traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The burning of incense is mentioned in the Old Testament, where it is described as a prominent part of the sacrificial legislation of the middle Pentateuch. According to the Jewish Encyclopedia, incense was generally offered in a pan ("maḥtah"), which the priest carried in his hand. The priest would enter the Holy of Holies, carrying the pan with live coals in his right hand and a spoon-like vessel called a "kaf" containing the incense in his left hand.
The Talmud, a central text in Jewish tradition, provides a detailed description of the recipe for the incense mixture. The Rabbis taught that the mixture consisted of 368 mina, corresponding to the days of the solar year, with half used in the morning and half in the afternoon. Additionally, three extra mina were included, from which the Kohen Gadol would bring both his handfuls into the Holy of Holies on Yom Kippur.
The use of incense in Christian worship, including in the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern Orthodox Church, is inspired by the earlier traditions of Judaism and has been adapted to symbolize the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
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Incense in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies
Incense is an integral part of Buddhism, with its use in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites dating back centuries. The practice of using incense in Buddhism originated in India and was introduced to China by a group of wandering Buddhist monks around 200 CE. The monks also brought calibrated incense sticks and incense clocks, which were soon adopted by Chinese secular society for timekeeping.
In East Asian Buddhist ceremonies, incense is used to purify the surroundings and invite the presence of buddhas, bodhisattvas, gods, and demons. The thick coiled incense is either hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands, filling the inner spaces of temples with scent. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. The sticks are then placed into individual censers located in front of the statues or plaques, either singly or in threes, depending on the status of the deity or the feelings of the individual.
The type of incense used in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies varies widely, with different formulas and scents used in temples throughout Asia. Highly scented Chinese incense sticks, for example, often contain large amounts of sandalwood, agarwood, or floral scents, making them relatively expensive. Other common ingredients in Chinese incense include musk, cassia, cinnamon, styrax, and plant-based ingredients.
The use of incense in Buddhism extends beyond religious ceremonies, with Zen Buddhists using citronella incense to repel mosquitoes and other insects during meditation. Incense clocks are also employed to time social, medical, and religious practices, particularly in Zen Buddhism, where they are used to time meditation and prayer.
The appreciation of incense in East Asia led to the formation of societies that regularly held incense-burning gatherings. Incense burners became highly significant in Korea, with the Goryeo-period burners building upon the Unified Silla tradition and influencing the subsequent Joseon dynasty.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense in the morning can help start your day on a positive note. It can also help you feel more connected to your senses and your life as a person of faith.
Many religions burn incense in the morning, including Christianity, Hinduism, Chinese Taoism, Japanese Shinto, Buddhism, and Native American spirituality.
Christians burn incense as it is mentioned in the Bible and is believed to symbolise the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is also burned during the celebration of the Eucharist, at funerals, and during Mass.
Incense comes in the form of sticks, cones, powders, and grains. Common fragrances include sandalwood, jasmine, palo santo, frankincense, myrrh, lavender, and rose.
