Katrina Rosales
Incense has been burned for centuries for religious, spiritual, health, and ceremonial reasons. The use of incense in temples dates back to ancient times, with the first recorded use of incense by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilization in 3600 BC. Ancient priests burned incense in temples for a variety of reasons, including to mask unpleasant odors, as a symbolic or sacrificial offering to deities or spirits, and to serve as an aid in prayer. Incense was also believed to bring about mental and physical healing and was used in ancient Indian medical practices. In Christianity, the smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven. In Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, thick coiled incense is hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands, while worshippers burn bundles of incense sticks and wave or raise them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | Symbolism of prayers rising to God, Cleansing, Tribute, Covering unpleasant smells |
| Materials | Gold, Acacia wood, Stacte, Onycha, Galbanum, Frankincense, Myrrh, Cassia, Spikenard, Saffron, Costus, Aromatic bark, Cinnamon, Carshina lye, Cyprus wine, Sodom salt, Jordan amber, Honey |
| Timing | Morning and evening, Day of Atonement |
| Ritual | The priests would sprinkle aromatic spices on burning coals, The smoke would rise above the veil and fill the inner holy of holies |
| Religious use | Christianity, Judaism, Chinese Taoism, Buddhism, Shinto, Mandaeism |
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What You'll Learn
Symbolism of incense in prayer
The use of incense in prayer is a practice that has been observed by various religions since ancient times. In Christianity, the use of incense in prayer and worship is rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Jewish Temple. The smoke from burning incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of the faithful's prayers rising to heaven.
Incense was burned in the presence of a king or deity to mask unpleasant odours as a form of tribute. In the Bible, "sin" is metaphorically described as having a bad smell, and anointing with oil is said to make one "pleasing" to God, thus cleansing them of their sins. The sweet fragrance of incense is therefore symbolic of prayers rising to God as a sweet savour.
The altar of incense was considered part of the Holy of Holies, where God resided in the Temple above the Ark of the Covenant. The priests taught that the smoke from the altar caused the people's prayers to rise to God. The incense was burned with fire from the altar of burnt offerings, symbolising how prayers must be kindled with heaven's grace.
The ingredients for the sacred incense were costly materials contributed by the congregation. The recipe for the incense is described in the Book of Exodus, which lists four components: sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The Talmud lists seven additional components, and the rabbis of the Talmud expanded the recipe to eleven ingredients.
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Incense as a sacrificial offering
Incense has been used as a sacrificial offering in many religions, including Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Chinese Taoism, Japanese Shintoism, and Buddhism. In these faiths, the burning of incense is seen as a symbolic offering to deities or spirits and is believed to serve as an aid in prayer.
In Judaism, the incense offering is known as "ketoret" in Hebrew and is described in the Bible for use in the Temple. The recipe for the incense is outlined in the Book of Exodus, which includes sweet spices such as stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The Talmud and subsequent rabbinic literature provide additional details about the composition and usage of ketoret. The altar of incense was considered a holy place, and the priests would burn incense on it daily, with the fragrant odor rising to the inner holy of holies, where the ark of the covenant sat.
In Christianity, the use of incense is inspired by biblical passages and has been employed in worship by various denominations since ancient times. Christians interpret the smoke of burning incense as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
In Hinduism, the first recorded use of incense was in the Indus Valley Civilization around 3600 BC. Incense has also been used in Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, where worshippers light and burn sticks of incense, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
The specific ingredients and rituals associated with incense offerings vary across different religions and cultures, but the common thread is the belief that the act of burning incense serves as a sacrificial offering that pleases the divine and enhances spiritual practices.
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Incense as a sweet-smelling savour
Incense has been used in religious contexts since antiquity, with the first recorded use by the Indians in the Indus Valley Civilisation in 3600 BC. The use of incense in a religious context is prevalent in Christianity, Judaism, Hinduism, Taoism, Shintoism, and Buddhism.
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible, and its use in prayer and worship carries Christian symbolism. Incense is often associated with prayer, and the smoke from burning incense is interpreted as a symbol of the prayers of the faithful rising to heaven.
In Judaism, the incense offering (Hebrew: קְטֹרֶת qəṭōreṯ) was an important component of priestly liturgy in the Temple in Jerusalem. The sacred incense was made from costly materials contributed by the congregation, including sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense. The incense was burned on a golden altar in the Holy Place, and its fragrant odour filled the inner Holy of Holies, where the Ark of the Covenant sat.
The priests taught that the smoke from the altar made the prayers of the people rise to God, and it was believed that the prayers of believers were like a sweet-smelling savour to God.
In other traditions, such as Chinese Taoism and Buddhism, the inner spaces of temples are scented with thick coiled incense, which is believed to have a symbolic or sacrificial purpose. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense, waving or raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of deities or ancestors.
The use of incense in religious rituals serves as a means to connect with the divine, offering sweet-smelling savours that please the deities and elevate the prayers of the faithful.
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Incense as a symbol of Christ's mediation
The use of incense in Christianity is inspired by passages in the Bible. Its use in prayer and worship carries a Christian symbolism. Incense has been employed in worship by Christians since antiquity, particularly in the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, and Anglican Churches, among others.
The Bible describes the use of incense in the Temple in Jerusalem, in the time of the Tabernacle, and during the First and Second Temple periods. The altar of incense was situated before the mercy seat of the Ark, in the Holy Place. The incense was to be burnt continuously, symbolising the perpetual nature of Christ's mediation.
Incense is often associated with prayer in Scripture. David prayed, "May my prayer be set before you like incense" (Psalm 141:2). In Revelation, John describes his vision of heaven, where the elders around the throne "were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people" (Revelation 5:8; cf. 8:3). Similarly, the smoke from the altar of incense was believed by the priests to symbolise the prayers of the people rising to God.
The sweet fragrance of the incense is also symbolic of Christ's intercession on our behalf, which is a sweet-smelling savour to God. Through Christ, our prayers ascend to God as sweet incense, and we can enter God's holy presence with full assurance.
Thus, the burning of incense by the ancient priests in the temple serves as a symbol of Christ's mediation, representing the perpetual nature of His intercession and the ascent of the prayers of believers as a pleasing offering to God.
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Incense in ancient Jewish liturgy
The use of incense in ancient Jewish liturgy was deeply symbolic and held great significance. The practice was rooted in the traditions of Judaism during the time of the Second Temple. The burning of incense was associated with prayer and offerings to God.
The incense altar was located at the end of the Holy compartment of the tabernacle, next to the curtain dividing it from the Most Holy. According to the Book of Exodus, the incense was composed of four main ingredients: stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense, with additional components listed in the Talmud. The recipe and process of making the incense were carefully prescribed and held spiritual significance.
The priests would burn incense on the altar daily, in the morning and evening, so that its fragrance filled the temple. This act symbolised the perpetual nature of prayer and mediation, with the sweet-smelling smoke representing the prayers of the people rising to God. The incense was also believed to cleanse the temple and the people of their sins, as metaphorically, "sin" smelled bad.
The altar of incense was considered sacred and was closely associated with the presence of God. The Book of Revelation describes a vision of heaven where the elders around God's throne hold "golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God's people." This further emphasises the connection between incense and prayer in ancient Jewish liturgy.
The practice of burning incense has continued in various forms in Jewish and Christian traditions, with some Jews studying the composition of ancient temple incense for potential future use in a restored Temple.
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Frequently asked questions
The burning of incense was a symbolic or sacrificial offering to various deities or spirits, or to serve as an aid in prayer.
The incense was made of costly materials such as sweet spices, stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense.
The incense was burned on a golden altar in the morning and evening, so a sweet-smelling smoke issued from it day and night.
The smoke from the incense was believed to carry the prayers of the people up to God.
