Lance Carson
Incense is used in a variety of religious traditions around the world. Its use in religious contexts has a long history, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The use of incense in religious contexts may be intended as a symbolic or sacrificial offering to various deities or spirits, as an aid in prayer, or as part of a purification ritual. Incense is used in Christian worship, in various branches of Buddhism, in Hinduism, in Taoism, in Shinto, in ancient Greek and Egyptian religion, and in Judaism.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Religion | Christianity, Hinduism, Shinto, Buddhism, Judaism, Taoism |
| Purpose | Sacrificial offering, prayer, worship, purification ritual, insect repellent, deodorant, aromatherapy, meditation |
| History | Used by Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC, Egyptians in 2345-2494 BC, and in China since at least the 5th century BC |
| Form | Incense sticks, coils, powder, grains, resins |
| Colors | Yellow, red, black |
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What You'll Learn
Incense in Christianity
The use of incense in Christianity has a long history and holds significant symbolic value. Incense has been used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, funerals, benediction, and other services. The practice is especially prevalent in the Eastern Orthodox Church, Lutheran churches, and even some Roman Catholic and Anglican traditions.
In the Bible, references to incense are made in the Old Testament, where God provided detailed instructions for constructing an altar of incense and prescribed the exact composition of the incense to be burned daily (Exodus 30). This altar was set in the Holy Place before the veil of the Holy of Holies, and the burning of incense was a holy act of worship. The book of Exodus also mentions that the Hebrews offered incense to false gods, which God hated (Isaiah 1:13). However, Isaiah prophesied that incense would again be received by God from all nations in worship of Him (Malachi 1:11; Isaiah 60:6-7).
Incense is also mentioned in the New Testament, where the Magi offered frankincense to the newborn Christ, symbolising his divinity (Matthew 2:11). In the Book of Revelation, incense symbolises the prayers of the saints in heaven, rising towards the altar of God (Revelation 5:8, 8:3). Saint James's liturgy, one of the oldest Christian liturgies, includes a prayer for God to accept the incense offered as a sweet fragrance and for forgiveness.
In Christian tradition, incense is used as a sign of reverence and dedication. Incensing the body during a funeral Mass, for example, shows respect for the deceased, while incensing the Book of Gospels indicates reverence for the word of God. Some Christians also use incense in their private homes during prayer, creating an atmosphere of churchly peace.
While the use of incense in Christianity has a rich history and symbolic significance, some Christians may have concerns due to the association of incense with pagan or idolatrous practices. Christians who were previously saved from paganism might struggle with using incense, and it is important to consider their perspective to avoid causing any stumbling blocks in their faith.
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Incense in Buddhism
Incense is used in a variety of religions, including Buddhism, Christianity, Hinduism, and Taoism. The use of incense in religious contexts is believed to have originated in antiquity, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC.
Incense holds an invaluable role in Buddhist ceremonies and rites, particularly in East Asian Buddhism. Burning incense is an ancient practice found in all schools of Buddhism. The use of incense is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha. Incense, along with flowers, food, drink, and garments, is offered to revered persons as a sign of respect.
Offering incense at an altar is a universal Buddhist ritual, though Buddhists may interpret the meaning of this ritual differently. Most basically, incense is thought to purify the space and create a tranquil atmosphere. In some schools of Buddhism, incense may have additional symbolic meanings. For example, burning three sticks of incense together might represent the Three Treasures: the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.
When setting up a home altar to offer incense to the Buddha, it is customary to light a candle first and then to light the incense from the candle. One standard practice involves bowing to the image of the Buddha with palms pressed together, lighting one end of the incense stick, and then returning the unlit end of the stick to an incense bowl. In Asia, blowing out the flame of an incense stick is considered disrespectful. Instead, one might wave the stick to extinguish the flame or fan it with their hand.
In Buddhist temples, incense is often burned in the form of thick coils hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands. Worshippers may also 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 may then be placed vertically or horizontally into individual censers located in front of the statues or plaques. The formula and scent of the incense sticks used in various temples throughout Asia vary.
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Incense in Taoism
Incense plays a significant role in Taoism, a religion indigenous to China with a key purpose of learning, cultivating, and practicing "Dao", a belief that myriad things in the universe are created by "Dao". Taoists believe that burning incense serves as a bridge between the physical and spiritual realms, facilitating communication with deities and spirits in the netherworld. It is seen as a tool to send wishes and blessings to the heavenly deities.
Taoists consider the act of burning incense as a sacred daily ritual. The incense is believed to undergo a transformation when burned, with its physical form consumed by fire, releasing smoke carrying aroma and colour. This smoke is thought to be imbued with energy, which is then absorbed by the surroundings, including the altar, statues, and higher powers connected to the altar. The number of incense sticks burned is symbolic and varies depending on the purpose. For instance, one stick can represent a one-way connection, while two can symbolise attraction or absorption, and three can signify the beginning of an interaction.
The manner in which the incense is held and burned is also important. Taoists believe that the way incense is held affects the energy infused into it. The Munn style, holding the incense with the left hand and encircling it with the right, is used for inputting thoughts and messages. Conversely, the Mo method, which involves swapping the hands, is for inputting commands or requesting power. Burning incense demands focus and respect, with practitioners refraining from talking or engaging in other activities to ensure they are fully present in the moment.
In addition to its spiritual significance, incense also plays a practical role in Taoist rituals. It is believed to help purify the altar by getting rid of negative elements. Along with incense, Taoists also offer flowers to create a serene environment and show sincerity to the deities, a lamp to brighten the heavens and illuminate the darkness, and water, tea, or liquor to attract energy to the postheaven. These offerings are known as the Five Offerings in Taoism, with incense being an important element as it facilitates communication with the divine.
While incense burning is a crucial element of Taoist rituals, it has also been a subject of controversy. In Taiwan, for example, there have been protests by Taoists against government attempts to limit incense burning due to pollution concerns. The protesters argued that burning incense is a crucial element of their worship, with one stating, "Gods can only feel our worship if we burn incense." This incident highlights the significance of incense in Taoist practices and the strong opposition to any restrictions on their religious rituals.
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Incense in Shinto
Incense plays a significant role in Japanese culture and has done so for many centuries. It was first introduced to Japan from China during the 6th century CE, coinciding with the arrival of Buddhism, which incorporates incense in its rituals and ceremonies.
Shinto, an indigenous religion of Japan, views incense negatively. This is because when Buddhism became popular in Japan, it adopted elements of Shinto, making it hard to distinguish the two religions. As a result, a formal set of rules was established to differentiate Shintoism from Buddhism, and the use of incense became associated with Buddhist practices.
Despite this historical aversion, some people who identify with Shinto use incense in their rituals. For example, visitors to Shinto shrines, which are places of worship, burn incense to purify themselves and 'ask for help from the Gods'. However, it is important to note that Shinto is a very loosely defined religion with no written scriptures, religious laws, or a single founder. Therefore, the use of incense may vary among those who identify with Shinto.
In Japan, the burning of incense is also associated with death and is commonly practised following the passing of a loved one. This is because it is believed that the smoke from the incense creates a 'path' or 'connection' to the deceased in heaven, guiding them home.
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Incense in Hinduism
Incense has been used in religious contexts since ancient times. The first recorded use of incense was by the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) were the first non-Asian civilisation to use incense, and by this time, it had been used by Hindus for centuries.
Incense is used in Hinduism as an integral part of all rituals. The aromas of the incense sticks are considered to have healing powers, providing a calming effect and improving mood and focus. The incense sticks are made of bamboo with perfumed ingredients, and the sticks are burnt completely to ashes, filling the room with pleasant aromas. This ritual symbolises the human sacrifice to society, as the incense burns itself for the benefit of others.
In India, incense holders made of clay and metal are used in Hindu religious ceremonies and festivals. The burning of incense is one of the stages of worship, out of a total of sixteen steps. Incense is also used as an air freshener, and its use has become synonymous with Indian culture.
The use of incense in Hinduism has spread beyond India, with the Japanese using incense in their traditional tea ceremonies, and the Chinese burning incense in the shape of birds and mythological creatures during Buddhist and Taoist ceremonies.
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Frequently asked questions
Many religions use incense, including Christianity, Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shinto, and Judaism.
Incense is often used as a symbolic or sacrificial offering to deities or spirits, or as an aid in prayer. It is also used in purification rituals.
The type of incense used varies across different cultures and religions. Common types of incense include frankincense, myrrh, aromatic wood, bark, seeds, roots, and flowers.
Incense is typically burned during religious ceremonies, releasing fragrant smoke. In some traditions, worshippers light and burn sticks of incense, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
While the use of incense has a long history in Christianity, particularly in Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches, some Christians, especially Evangelicals, associate it with New Age, hippie, or occult practices. This may be due to the association of incense with Eastern or counterculture movements.
