Seamus Hammond
Incense is burned during the Day of the Dead to guide the spirits of the dead. The incense used is called Copal, which gets its name from the Nahuatl word copalli, meaning incense. Copal is a staple in the aromatic landscape of the Americas and is rarely exported to the United States. It is believed that the smoke from the burning incense will guide the dead to safety and back home. Copal is also said to ward off evil, purify the altar or grave, and represent the element of air or fire.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name of incense burned during the Day of the Dead | Copal |
| Origin of the word "copal" | Nahuatl word "copalli", which means "incense" |
| Copal's use | Copal has been used as incense, traditional medicine, varnish, and glue |
| Copal in pre-Colombian Mesoamerica | Copal was considered food for the gods and was a necessary daily sacrifice to sustain and nourish the deities in almost all Mesoamerican religions |
| Copal during the Day of the Dead in modern times | Copal is burned to ward off evil, purify the altar or grave, and represent the element of air or fire |
| Other uses of incense during the Day of the Dead | Family members light their own incense sticks and place them at the shrine to burn. When all the incense has burned, it means the spirit has finished feasting, and the rest of the family can rearrange the food for themselves. |
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What You'll Learn
Copal incense is believed to attract spirits
Copal incense is burned during the Day of the Dead as it is believed to attract spirits. Copal is derived from the Nahuatl word "copalli", which means "incense" or "burned aromatics". It is a gummy resin sourced from the copal tree and is rarely exported outside of Latin America.
Copal has been an important part of religious ceremonies in pre-Colombian Mesoamerica, where it was considered "food for the gods". It was a daily sacrifice to sustain and nourish the deities in almost all Mesoamerican religions. The Maya, for instance, placed small lumps of jade in a corpse's mouth to symbolise maize, serving as spiritual food for the soul to use in the afterlife. Copal was also moulded into ceremonial corn cobs and burned as offerings.
Copal is believed to attract spirits during the Day of the Dead celebrations, guiding them back home. The smoke from the burning incense is thought to guide the dead to safety and help them find their way back to their mortal loved ones. The scent of copal is described as soft, clean, slightly oily, and woody, with a floral, almost lemon-like fragrance.
In addition to its use in ceremonies, copal has also been valued in traditional medicine and as a varnish or glue, particularly for setting jade inlays into Aztec courtiers' teeth. Today, copal is burned during the Day of the Dead celebrations in cemeteries and churches in some parts of Mexico, such as Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Michoacan, where big clouds of copal smoke are a common sight.
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It was used as food for the gods in pre-Colombian Mesoamerica
Incense burning plays a significant role in the Day of the Dead celebrations, with copal incense being the most commonly used variety. Copal is derived from the Nahuatl word "copalli", which translates to "incense". It is also referred to as the "frankincense of the Americas" due to its significance in trade and religion.
Copal was considered sacred in pre-Colombian Mesoamerica, where it was believed to be food for the gods. In ancient Mesoamerican religions, copal was a vital daily offering used to sustain and nourish the deities. It was regarded as the staple crop of the gods, just as maize was the staple food for humans. The connection between copal and maize was a recurring theme in Mesoamerican history. For instance, the Maya people placed small lumps of jade in the mouths of the deceased to symbolise maize, serving as spiritual food for the soul's journey in the afterlife. Similarly, the Lacandón, a Mayan group from Chiapas, likened the act of burning copal to grinding corn, believing that the smoke nourished the deities in the form of tortillas.
Excavations around Lake Chapala and Nevado de Toluca provide further evidence of copal's significance in pre-Colombian Mesoamerica. Ceremonial corn cobs made from copal resin were discovered, reinforcing the belief that copal was sacred food for the gods. Copal was also used in religious ceremonies, with incense braziers found near lakes indicating its use in rituals involving water gods.
Today, copal continues to be burned during the Day of the Dead celebrations, particularly in cemeteries and churches of Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Michoacan. People believe that the incense's aroma guides the spirits of the departed to their altars, where offerings of food, drinks, and other beloved items are presented. The smoke from the incense is thought to represent the element of air or fire, with some believing it purifies the altar space.
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The scent is soft, clean, and slightly oily
Copal is a staple incense in the Americas, and its use is deeply rooted in the region's history and culture. It is derived from the Nahuatl word "copalli", which translates to "incense" or "burned aromatics". Copal's scent is described as soft, clean, and slightly oily, with a pleasant woodiness and a hint of floral or lemon freshness.
The scent of copal is believed to be calming and safe, making it an ideal choice for those with asthma or incense allergies. Its aroma is considered heavenly, with a unique character that sets it apart from other tree resins. Copal is also known as the "frankincense of the Americas", underscoring its significance in trade and religion.
The soft and clean scent of copal carries a deeper significance in the Day of the Dead celebrations. It is believed to guide the spirits of the departed, attracting them to visit their mortal loved ones. The scent's subtle strength ensures that the spirits are gently beckoned without overwhelming their delicate senses.
Copal's slightly oily quality adds a depth of warmth to the scent, creating an inviting atmosphere that welcomes both the living and the spirits. The oiliness also lends a sense of richness and abundance, reflecting the generosity of the offerings presented during the Day of the Dead.
The scent of copal, with its soft, clean, and slightly oily characteristics, embodies the essence of the Day of the Dead. It strikes a delicate balance between remembrance and celebration, honouring the memory of the departed while also embracing the joy of their return.
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It is burned to represent the element of air or fire
Incense is burned during the Day of the Dead to honour the dead and guide their spirits. The specific type of incense burned during the Day of the Dead is called copal, which is derived from the Nahuatl word "copalli", meaning "incense". Copal is a gummy resin that has been used in traditional medicine, as varnish, and as a glue for setting jade inlays into Aztec courtiers' teeth. It is also known as the "frankincense of the Americas" due to its importance in the region's trade and religion.
Copal holds a significant role in the Day of the Dead celebrations, with people burning it near altars or shrines to honour their deceased loved ones. The smoke from the burning incense is believed to guide the spirits of the departed, leading them back home during the Day of the Dead. This practice is deeply rooted in the belief systems of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica, where copal was considered food for the gods.
Burning copal during the Day of the Dead also represents the element of air or fire. Each ofrenda, or offering, includes the four elements: water, wind, earth, and fire. Water is left in a pitcher for the spirits to drink, papel picado (traditional paper banners) represent the wind, earth is symbolised by food, especially bread, and the element of fire is represented by burning copal incense.
The act of burning copal during the Day of the Dead serves multiple purposes. It is believed to ward off evil, purify the altar or grave, and honour the dead. The smoke created by burning copal is thought to be a form of sustenance for the spirits, similar to how food is prepared and offered to the deceased during the celebrations.
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Copal is rarely exported to the United States
Incense is burned during the Day of the Dead to attract the spirits of the departed with its scent. Copal, the incense used during the Day of the Dead, is rarely exported to the United States for several reasons. Firstly, copal resin is not a significant fragrance component in the United States, as most incense users in North America are more familiar with charcoal-based fragrance-infused cones than with the burning of raw aromatic materials over direct heat. Copal, derived from the Nahuatl word "copalli", which means "incense", has a long history of religious and cultural significance in Mesoamerica, particularly among the Aztec and Mayan cultures. It was considered the food of the gods and played a critical role in various ceremonies and rituals.
Secondly, copal is not widely exported to the United States as it is readily available in Latin American markets at reasonable prices. The quality and colour of copal resin can vary depending on the tree sourced, its age, and any inclusions in the sap. While copal has a softer scent compared to other tree resins, it burns twice as fast and produces smoke, which may not be preferred by those seeking incense for fragrance purposes.
Additionally, copal has a range of traditional uses beyond incense, including its use in traditional medicine, as a natural glue, and as a varnish. For example, copal was famously used to set jade inlays into Aztec courtiers' teeth. These diverse applications further reduce the demand for copal specifically as incense in the United States, where other types of incense are more commonly used.
Lastly, the cultural significance of copal is deeply rooted in Mesoamerican traditions and ceremonies, such as the Day of the Dead. As such, the demand for copal incense may be lower in the United States, where other cultural and religious practices are observed. Copal holds a special place in the Day of the Dead celebrations, believed to attract spirits with its scent and create a connection between the living and the departed. Therefore, the use of copal incense may be more prevalent and preferred within the cultural context of Mesoamerica, where its religious and symbolic value is deeply understood and appreciated.
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Frequently asked questions
The burning of incense is believed to guide the dead to safety and back home.
The incense burned on the Day of the Dead is called Copal. It is derived from the Nahuatl word "copalli", which means incense.
Copal has a softer scent compared to other tree resins. It has a pleasantly clean, slightly oily, woody fragrance with a floral, almost lemon-like scent.
Copal is burned in cemeteries and churches in Oaxaca, Chiapas, and Michoacan.
Copal is considered food for the gods and has been a critical element in pre-Colombian Mesoamerica, especially for the Aztec and Mayan cultures. It is also believed to ward off evil, purify altars or graves, and represent the elements of air or fire.
