Anisha Riggs
Incense has been used for centuries in religious and spiritual practices across the world. It is made from aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils, and is burned to create fragrant smoke. The use of incense as a sacrificial offering is prevalent in many cultures, with roots in antiquity. Incense was used in ancient China, India, Egypt, Greece, and Rome, and has been employed in Christian worship since its origins. In religious contexts, incense is often burned as a symbolic offering to deities or spirits, and it is also used to aid in prayer and meditation. The smoke from burning incense is believed to symbolise the ascent of prayers to the divine realm and is considered a purifying and sacred act.
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What You'll Learn
Incense as a form of sacrificial offering to a deity
Incense has been used as a form of sacrificial offering to a deity in many cultures and religions. The use of incense as a sacrificial offering is thought to have originated in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC, with the Egyptians during the Fifth Dynasty (2345-2494 BC) being the first in the non-Asian world to use incense.
Incense has been used in Judaic worship since the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods, and it remains a part of Catholic, Orthodox, and Anglican churches today. In the Hebrew Bible, God gives Moses a recipe for sacred incense to be used in the wilderness Tabernacle, instructing him to take "sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense". The high priest burned incense twice daily, once before the morning sacrifice and again after the evening sacrifice.
In Christianity, the smoke of burning incense is often interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen in Psalm 141 (140), verse 2: "Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hand, as the evening sacrifice". Incense is also used in Christian worship during the celebration of the Eucharist, at funerals, and in the consecration of a church or altar, among other services.
In Hinduism and Buddhism, incense is burned at festivals, initiations, and daily rites. In China, incense was burned during festivals and processions to honour ancestors and household gods, while in Japan, it is incorporated into Shinto rituals for the deity Inari Okami, or the Seven Lucky Gods.
Incense is also used as a form of sacrificial offering in Chinese Taoist temples, where the inner spaces are scented with thick coiled incense. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of a deity or ancestor.
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Incense used for purification
Incense has been used for purification for thousands of years across various cultures and religions. In religious contexts, incense is burned to purify the air and environment by dispelling negative energies, creating a sacred space, and protecting against malevolent forces.
In Christianity, incense has been used in worship since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Eastern Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, Old Catholic/Liberal Catholic Churches, and some Anglican Churches. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. Incense is used in various Christian ceremonies, such as the celebration of the Eucharist, funerals, and the consecration of churches or altars.
In East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines, incense is burned as a purification ritual. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense, which they wave or raise above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors. The sticks of incense are then placed into individual censers located in front of the statues or plaques.
In ancient Egypt, incense was prominent in religious rituals, such as the daily liturgy before the cult image of the sun god Amon-Re and mortuary rites, when the souls of the dead were believed to ascend to heaven in the flame.
Incense is also used for purification in other cultural and spiritual contexts. For example, lavender incense is used to cleanse spaces of negative energies and is said to have a calming effect. Cinnamon incense is believed to have cleansing and purifying energies, helping to remove negative energy and increase spiritual energy. Patchouli incense has been used in spiritual ceremonies worldwide for its practical and energetic properties, such as love spells and creative magic.
The specific methods of burning incense for purification vary. Incense is commonly burned on lighted charcoal contained in a censer or thurible. In smoke cleansing, or smudging, the smoke from incense or sage is wafted towards the area or objects to be cleansed, sometimes using a feather to direct the smoke.
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Incense as a symbol of prayer
Incense has been used in religious contexts for thousands of years, dating back to at least 3600 BC in the Indus Valley Civilisation. Its use has been prevalent in many cultures and religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Judaism, Christianity, and ancient Greek and Egyptian religions.
In many of these traditions, incense has been used as a symbol of prayer. In Christianity, for example, the smoke of burning incense is often interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. This symbolism is seen 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". In his vision of heaven, John saw that the elders around the throne "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people" (Revelation 5:8).
In Judaism, incense was offered on the altar of incense in the Tabernacle and the First and Second Temple periods, and was an important component of priestly liturgy. The high priest burned incense twice daily, once before the morning sacrifice and again after the evening sacrifice. Similarly, in ancient China, incense was burned during festivals and processions to honour ancestors and household gods. In Japanese Shintoism, incense is burned as an offering to deities such as Inari Okami or the Seven Lucky Gods.
The act of burning incense is often associated with purification and sanctification. In Christian tradition, incense is used in the purification of churches, altars, and other sacred objects. In Japanese Shintoism, incense is used to purify spaces and objects, and to ward off evil spirits.
The use of incense as a symbol of prayer may be related to its fragrant smoke, which is thought to carry prayers up to the heavens or to the gods. The sweet-smelling smoke may also be seen as a symbol of Christ's mediation on behalf of humanity, as Christ's intercession is considered a "sweet-smelling savour" to God.
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Incense used in Christian worship
Incense has been used in Christian worship since ancient times, especially in 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 being used among other Christian groups, such as Methodism. The use of incense in Christian worship is rooted in earlier Jewish traditions during the time of the Second Jewish Temple.
The smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the faithful's prayers 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." Similarly, in the Eastern Rites at the beginning of Mass, the altar and sanctuary area are incensed while Psalm 50, the "Miserere," is chanted, invoking God's mercy. The Book of Revelation further emphasizes this symbolism, describing heavenly worship with angels holding incense and receiving the prayers of the holy ones.
Incense is used in Christian worship during various occasions, including the celebration of the Eucharist, solemn celebrations of the Divine Office, Solemn Vespers, Solemn Evensong, funerals, benediction, and the consecration of churches or altars. It is also employed during specific parts of the Mass, such as the entrance procession, the proclamation of the gospel, the Offertory, and the elevation of the Eucharist after the consecration.
The use of incense in Christian worship adds a sense of solemnity and mystery, connecting the sacredness of the world with the transcendence of the Mass. It serves as a reminder that the distinction between the holy and the mundane is blurred. Additionally, incense is associated with purification and sanctification, symbolizing the purification of the coffin at funerals and the blessing of statues and images.
While the use of incense in Christian worship is prominent, it is not mandatory. Some Catholic priests choose not to use incense during Mass, and some Christians may have concerns about its historical association with pagan religions. The decision to use incense is a matter of conviction, and Christians are advised to consider their motives and the potential impact on other believers.
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Incense used in Buddhist ceremonies
Incense is used in Buddhist ceremonies as a way to create a sense of peace and sanctity. It is believed to purify the space, boost awareness, and create a solemn and tranquil atmosphere. The burning of incense is a universal ritual in Buddhism, with its use stretching back to the beginning of human history. It is mentioned frequently in the Pali Canon, scriptures that date to the life of the Buddha.
There are many types of incense used in Buddhist ceremonies, with the most common being stick incense. This comes in two varieties: coreless or "solid" incense, and incense with a bamboo core. The coreless variety is more appropriate for Buddhism as it burns away completely, but bamboo core incense is also commonly used. In some Asian temples, large coils of burning incense are suspended from the ceilings. Loose incense is another variety that is burned by dropping grains of incense onto hot charcoal. This is usually burned in a small brazier or a simple box filled with ash or sand.
The use of incense in Buddhist ceremonies is not a requirement, but it is believed to aid in meditation and help create a sacred, holy, and contemplative atmosphere. It is also used to show respect and as an offering to Buddha and other holy creatures. In some schools of Buddhism, 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.
The type of incense used in Buddhist ceremonies varies depending on the region and the specific school of Buddhism. Sandalwood is commonly used in Buddhist temples, while Agarwood or aloeswood is the primary incense used in Japan. The quality and fragrance of incense can vary, with Japanese incense generally producing less smoke and having a more subtle fragrance, while Tibetan incense emits more smoke and lasts longer.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is used as a sacrificial offering to various deities or spirits, or to serve as an aid in prayer. The smoke of burning incense is often interpreted as a symbol of the prayer of the faithful rising to heaven.
Incense is made from aromatic plant materials, often combined with essential oils. The chief substances used as incense are resins such as frankincense and myrrh, along with aromatic wood and bark, seeds, roots, and flowers.
Incense is used in many religions, including Hinduism, Buddhism, Taoism, Shintoism, Judaism, and Christianity.
