Antonio Mcgowan
The Mayans used incense burners for ritualistic purposes and to communicate with the gods. The incense itself was made from tree sap and known as copal. Copal incense was made from the pitch pine tree (Pinus pseudostrobus) and was considered food for the gods. Copal was also used in art and medicine. The Mayan book, the Popol Vuh, describes how the sun, moon, and stars arrived on earth, bringing copal with them. The Maya also collected distinct types of resin from different plants, including Hymenaea, a legume, Pinus (pines or pinyons), and Jatropha (spurges).
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Type of incense | Copal, corn, human blood |
| Source | Resin from the Protium copal tree, a member of the Bursera family |
| Other sources | Various plants, including Hymenaea, Pinus, Jatropha, and Rhus |
| Process | Boiling gum in water for 8-10 hours, then shaping into pellets or disks |
| Color | Greenish blue |
| Ritual purpose | Creating a sacred atmosphere, offering food to the gods, connecting with maize |
| Effects | Mentally uplifting, calming, anxiolytic |
| Incense burners | Made of ceramic, found in various designs and versions |
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What You'll Learn
Copal incense, made from tree sap, was used in ceremonies and rituals
Copal incense, derived from tree sap, was used by the Mayan civilisation in various rituals and ceremonies. The word "copal" is rooted in the indigenous Nahuatl language of the Aztecs, which uses "copalli" to describe scented smoke. The Mayan book, the Popol Vuh, includes a long passage describing how the sun, moon, and stars arrived on earth, bringing copal with them.
Copal was made from the pitch pine tree (Pinus pseudostrobus) using the "white copal" method, and the bars were then pounded into a thick paste and stored in large gourd bowls to be burned as food for the gods. The Mayans also fashioned nodules shaped like maize ears and kernels, suggesting a spiritual connection between copal incense and maize.
Copal incense was used in ceremonies to create a sacred atmosphere and was believed to have mentally uplifting and calming effects. It was also considered a form of communication between the human and supernatural realms. The Mayans also believed that the gods manifested themselves on earth through the sacred essence of copal incense.
The Lacandón Maya collected the gum, letting it dry for a day, and then boiling it with water for eight to ten hours. The gum would then rise to the surface and be skimmed off with a gourd dipper. It was then placed in cold water to harden and shaped into pellets or disks.
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The Mayans used incense burners made from ceramic
The Mayans used incense burners as a form of communication with the gods. They believed that the smoke from burning incense connected the human and supernatural realms. These incense burners were typically made from ceramic and have been discovered in various shapes, colours, and sizes across Guatemala. The most common form of incense burned by the Mayans was copal, which was derived from tree sap. Copal was considered sacred and was used in a variety of rituals and ceremonies.
The Mayan book, Popol Vuh, describes how the sun, moon, and stars brought copal with them when they arrived on earth. The Maya also believed that the gods manifested themselves on earth through copal smoke. Copal was made from the resin of the Protium copal tree, a member of the Bursera family. The resin was highly valued and used not only as incense but also for art and medicine. The Mayans would collect the fresh gum, let it dry, and then boil it to create the incense. This process resulted in a hard, amber-like consistency.
In addition to copal, the Mayans also burned other organic materials such as corn and even human blood. The incense burners often featured intricate designs, with some depicting the animal companions that shared the souls of humans, according to Mayan beliefs. The use of incense burners was not limited to the elite, and they were common across Mayan society. The discovery of these incense burners provides valuable insights into the religious and ritualistic practices of Mayan culture.
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The Lacandón Maya made copal from the pitch pine tree
The Mayans used incense burners for ritualistic purposes, with the smoke considered a form of communication between the human and supernatural realms. The Mayan incense burners were usually made out of ceramic and came in various shapes, colours, and sizes.
Copal is an incense made from tree sap and was used by the Mayans in rituals. The word "copal" comes from the Nahuatl (Aztec) word "copalli", which describes scented smoke. Copal is made from various plants and was used not only for incense but also for art and medicine.
The Maya also collected distinct types of resin from different plants. Copal trees are found in the Highlands and Peten lowlands but are most common in Verapaz, growing in the same areas as cacao and achiote. The Mayan book, the Popol Vuh, includes a long passage describing how the sun, moon, and stars arrived on earth, bringing copal with them.
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Copal is believed to have anti-anxiety effects
The Maya have traditionally used copal, derived from the Protium copal tree, as incense during ceremonies since pre-Columbian times. Copal is made from tree sap and is used in rituals, art, and medicine. The Lacandón Maya made copal from the pitch pine tree (Pinus pseudostrobus) using the "white copal" method, and the bars were then pounded into a thick paste and burned as incense as food for the gods.
The behavioural effects of inhaled Protium copal incense were further examined using multiple validated behavioural paradigms. The study hypothesized that rats exposed to copal incense would exhibit lower levels of anxiety-like behaviours in the elevated plus-maze (EPM) test, social interaction (SI) test, and conditioned emotional response (CER) paradigms. The study also sought to discern the potential mechanisms of action, specifically the involvement of the GABAergic and endocannabinoid (eCB) systems.
Copal is a sacred essence through which the Maya Gods manifest themselves on earth. It is used to create a sacred atmosphere for participants in Maya ceremonies, and its effect on mood is often rapid and intense. The reverence the Maya have for their traditional gatherings and the widespread use of copal incense at the start of these ceremonies contribute to the impact on mood.
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Copal negro is a potent form of copal incense
Copal is a type of incense made from tree sap and used by the Mayans and Aztecs in rituals. The word "copal" comes from the indigenous Nahuatl language, where "copalli" describes scented smoke. The Maya and Aztec civilisations used copal incense in a range of ritual ceremonies. The Maya people also burned copal to communicate with the gods, as they believed the smoke allowed them to connect with the supernatural realm.
Copal negro is a particularly potent form of copal incense. It is processed by removing all the bark and beating the resin out of the tree, which ultimately destroys the tree. This process was forbidden by the Catholic Church, as copal negro was connected to the maize god. Copal negro was also highly valued for gluing bejewelled dental work. The Mayans would collect the fresh gum, let it dry for a day, then boil it in water for up to ten hours. The gum would then be placed in cold water to harden and then shaped into pellets or disks.
The Mayan book, the Popol Vuh, includes a passage describing how the sun, moon, and stars arrived on earth, bringing copal with them. The Maya also collected distinct types of resin from different plants, including Hymenaea, Pinus, Jatropha, and Rhus. The most common source tree for copal is Protium copal, a member of the Bursera family.
Copal incense has been found to elicit anxiolytic-like effects in fear and social interaction models, increasing active social interaction. It is thought to have mentally uplifting and calming effects, creating a sacred atmosphere for participants in Maya ceremonies.
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Frequently asked questions
The Mayans burned copal incense as an offering to their gods. Copal is made from the sap of trees, specifically the Protium copal tree, and is considered sacred.
The Lacandón Maya made copal by boiling the gum of the pitch pine tree and shaping it into bars or nodules. These were then burned as incense.
Copal incense has a smoky-sweet fragrance. It is said to have a distinct odour with a relatively high melting point.
