Lance Carson
Incense burning has been a part of Asian religious practices for thousands of years, with the first recorded use of incense in human history being in ancient China. The practice is believed to have been invented by the ancient Egyptians over 3,500 years ago and then spread to China, where it became an integral part of a person's spiritual and physical life. Incense is burned for a variety of reasons in Asian cultures, including religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and daily prayers. The specific colours and types of incense sticks vary in size and are used for different occasions. The use of incense sticks also varies between different Asian cultures, such as Chinese and Japanese cultures.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Purpose | To scare away evil spirits, invite benevolent spirits, ward off bad luck, and purify |
| History | The practice originated in ancient Egypt 3,500 years ago and was adopted by the Chinese 2,000 years ago |
| Religion | Used in Buddhist, Taoist, and Muslim religious ceremonies and prayers |
| Culture | Used in traditional Chinese medicine, ancestor veneration, and daily life |
| Art | Incense burning is an art form called xiangdao (香道) that involves various utensils and containers |
| Forms | Incense comes in sticks, loose incense, coils, and cones |
| Timekeeping | Incense clocks were used to tell time at night |
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What You'll Learn
Incense is used for religious ceremonies and ancestor veneration
Incense is used in religious ceremonies and for ancestor veneration. Its use in religious ritual was developed in China and transmitted to Korea, Japan, Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore, and the Philippines. Incense is invaluable in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies and rites, as well as in Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines. It is also used in the Roman Catholic Church, Orthodox Christian churches, Lutheran Churches, and some Anglican Churches.
In Chinese Taoist and Buddhist temples, the interiors are scented with thick coiled incense hung from the ceiling or placed on special stands. Worshippers light and burn sticks of incense in small or large bundles, raising them above their heads while bowing to statues or plaques of a deity or an ancestor. The smoke of burning incense is interpreted by Western Catholic and Eastern Christian churches as a symbol of prayer 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."
Incense is also used in ancestor veneration. In ancient China, incense burners, called hill censers (boshanlu), have been found in tombs dating to the reign of Han Wudi (140-87 BC). These vessels were designed with apertures that made the rising incense smoke appear like clouds or mist swirling around a mountain peak. In Japanese Shinto shrines, incense sticks are placed horizontally into censers on top of the ash.
The practice of burning incense, known as xiangdao ('the way of the scent'), is believed to nourish the spirit and the mind. Blended incense is considered a companion to reading, contemplation, and meditation.
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Incense is used to ward off evil spirits and bad luck
Incense has been burned in Asia since ancient times, with evidence of its use in India and Southern Asia as early as 3300 BC. It is believed that burning incense sticks can ward off evil spirits and bring good luck. For example, in Southwest China, the Bai people in Shaxi burn Prinsepia utilis Royle and Populus sp. plants alongside incense during the Ghost Festival to prevent evil spirits from entering their homes.
The use of incense is often associated with spiritual and religious practices. In China, incense is burned during daily prayers and to pay respect to ancestors. The smoke from the incense is believed to create a link between the worshipper and the divine, such as the Buddha. It is also seen as a form of sacrificial offering, with the aroma creating a calming atmosphere that aids in concentration during rituals and prayers.
Burning incense is also believed to purify the air and create a sacred space. For thousands of years, Buddhist monks have used incense for air purification. Additionally, a study revealed that an hour of incense smoking reduced the number of bacteria in the air by 94%.
The practice of burning incense is also associated with bringing good luck and prosperity. For example, during the Ghost Festival in China, women who have recently given birth walk around offering rice liquor, candy, and sunflower seeds to visitors. It is believed that the more people accept their offerings, the more prosperous the newborn child's development will be.
The use of incense in Asia varies across different cultures and regions, but its significance in spiritual and religious practices is widely recognized. The aroma of incense creates a calming atmosphere that enhances the effectiveness of rituals and prayers, making it an integral part of traditional practices in many Asian societies.
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Incense is used for traditional medicine
The use of incense in medicine is considered the first phase of Ayurveda, which uses incense as an approach to healing. The burning of incense has become a common practice for unwinding and relaxing. In Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, the locals have roots in India and China and have adopted the practice of burning incense. The oldest textual source on incense is the Vedas, specifically the Atharvaveda and the Rigveda.
The Buddhist tradition of incense burning has been practiced in many Asian countries, such as China, Thailand, and Korea. Its odor and smoke have been regarded as an essential way to sanctify the ritualistic behavior in Buddhist practices. Worshipping Buddhist divine beings through burning incense sticks has been viewed as an important ritualistic practice in Asian nations for centuries. Buddhists regard incense as “divine odor,” and its smell is meant to evoke the presence of Buddhist divinities.
Burning incense sticks works as a sensory way to sanctify the space and offering behaviors with mindfulness and awareness. During the ritual process, an individual waves three or more burned incense sticks overhead while bowing to the divine statues. The burning incense sticks are then vertically placed into a censer located in front of the statues. To date, incense burning has become an indispensable ritualistic practice for many people who believe in Buddhism.
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Incense is used in daily life for fragrance and entertainment
The use of incense in Asia has a long history, dating back thousands of years. The practice of burning incense is deeply ingrained in Asian cultures, especially in religious and spiritual rituals. However, it is also used in daily life for fragrance and entertainment.
In China, incense, known as "xiang" (香), has been used since ancient times and is an integral part of the country's cultural and spiritual life. The Chinese developed a sophisticated art form around incense burning, called xiangdao (香道), which involves various utensils and containers used to burn incense, such as tongs, spatulas, and special moulds. Incense was also used in the past to create incense clocks (xiangzhong 香鐘) for timekeeping. The practice of burning incense in China became widespread during the Xia, Shang, and Zhou dynasties, and by the Song dynasty, it had become a popular cultural pastime, with nobility building special rooms for incense ceremonies.
Today, incense is still used in China and other Asian countries for fragrance and entertainment. Incense sticks are commonly burned to create a pleasant aroma in homes and personal spaces. Oriental incense sticks come in two types: direct (combustible) and indirect (non-combustible). Direct-burning incense, once lit, continues to burn without an additional heat source, while indirect-burning incense requires a separate heat source. Loose incense, the oldest form, requires a constant heat source like charcoal and allows for custom recipes. Other forms of incense include coils, cones, and sticks made from different types of bamboo with good burning characteristics.
In Japan, incense burning is often used in tea ceremonies, while in Korea, it is used for purification rites and entertainment. Incense is also used in Southeast Asian countries like Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia, where it has been adopted by locals with roots in India and China.
Overall, the use of incense in Asia goes beyond religious and spiritual rituals, playing a significant role in daily life for fragrance and entertainment.
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Incense is used for timekeeping
Incense has been used in China for various purposes, including religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and daily life, dating back to the Neolithic period. The Chinese character for incense, "xiang" (香), also means "fragrance", "scent", "aroma", "perfume", and "spice".
One notable use of incense in China is for timekeeping, which was introduced alongside Buddhism. Incense clocks, or "xiangzhong" (香鐘), were used to tell the time by burning powdered incense along a pre-measured path, with each stencil representing a different amount of time. This concept of timing by combustion was first recorded by the poet Yu Jianwu (487–551), who wrote, "By burning incense we know the o'clock of the night, With graduated candles we confirm the tally of the watches."
Incense clocks came in various designs, such as the dragon-shaped fire clock, where the dragon's elongated body formed an incense trough with threads and small metal balls attached. As the incense burned, the heat broke the threads, causing the balls to drop and create a sound, functioning as an alarm. These clocks allowed for seasonal variations, with longer paths for winter nights and shorter ones for summer.
The use of incense for timekeeping was not limited to clocks but was also utilized in other creative ways. For example, during the Qing dynasty (1644–1911), incense clocks burned through the night in Beijing's tall drum tower, measuring the time until the end of the night watch. Even in the 20th century, coal miners used the glow of incense to track their time underground, and tea-roasters employed incense to estimate the time needed to toast batches of tea.
While mechanical clocks became available in the 1600s, they were accessible only to the wealthy. In contrast, timing by incense was inexpensive, accessible, and functional for the general population.
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Frequently asked questions
Burning incense is a millennium-old tradition that has become a staple during Lunar New Year festivities, along with fireworks, traditional snacks, and the giving of money in red envelopes. The Chinese have a variety of incense for various occasions, and the practice is deeply rooted in their culture.
The first recorded use of incense was in ancient China, dating back to around 2,000 BC. Incense was an integral part of a person's spiritual and physical life, valued by the royal palace, and used as a drug, spice, perfume, and connector to otherworldly forces. The practice of burning incense started as a ritual to ward off evil spirits and invite benevolent ones into homes and tombs. Over time, it spread beyond China to Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, and Indonesia.
Incense comes in various forms, including sticks, loose, coil, and cone. Oriental incense sticks are of two types: direct (combustible incense) and indirect (non-combustible incense). Direct-burning incense continues to burn once lit and does not require an additional heat source, while indirect-burning incense is non-combustible and needs a separate heat source.
Incense burning is an important component of Chinese religion and has been adopted by various Asian religious practices, including Buddhism and Taoism. It is used in religious ceremonies, ancestor veneration, traditional medicine, and daily life. Incense is burned to commemorate different occasions, from funerals to special ceremonies, daily prayers, and warding off bad luck.
