Incense Pots – A Beautiful Way to Set a Mood

Incense pots have been around for millennia, both for their pleasant smell and spiritual associations. Even though the idea that fragrant powders and resins have mystical healing powers may have been disproved, they’re still widely used for their ability to set a mood—and these incense holders are a beautiful way to bring some to your home or office.

Also known as censers, perfume burners or pastille burners, incense holders come in many forms and sizes. From a simple earthenware bowl to intricately carved silver or gold vessels, and from small table top objects a few centimeters tall to larger designs several metres high, the design of an incense burner has long been determined by its spiritual and cultural significance.

The holder is also a key part of an incense ritual, which can be used for personal meditation or to welcome guests. “When you invite someone into your space, you want to make sure it’s an enjoyable experience,” says Alex Elle, a Maryland-based writer and wellness facilitator who uses incense during her writing and moving meditation. She prefers palo santo blends from Tucson, Ariz.-based online retailer Rituals Incense. “Burning incense is a beautiful ritual, and it can be transformative.”

For Catholics, in particular, the scent of fragrant woods and powders has an important spiritual association. The fragrant smoke that rises from a censer can sanctify and purify the place where it’s burned, and bless the people who inhale it. This is why the thurible—a large metal container that’s about the size of a coffee pot and is suspended on chains with a bowl and hot coals—is often seen in religious ceremonies.

Another type of incense holder is the Japanese Kodo ceremony burner, designed for multi-person incense ceremonies where multiple people pass a special cup with aromatic woods around. The ceramic cup gently heats the agarwood to release its aroma but without burning it, allowing each participant to inhale different aromas as they rotate the cup and try to guess what they might be.

The ethereal, poetic nature of incense translates well to these modern incense holders, which use Japanese woods like Mousou, Madake and Kotsugi to form elegant designs that fit right in with modern interiors. Pull Push Products is a crafts brand that engages with every step of product development directly, planning original products from concept to manufacturing, focusing on the delicacy and compassion of handmade items.

The most important thing to keep in mind when choosing an incense holder is that the material you choose must be fireproof and suitable for the shape and size of your burner, since the holder is what allows the scented smoke to rise. If you’re not sure what kind of holder is best for your incense, we recommend browsing the range here or visiting your local specialty store to see what’s available. And don’t forget to try your favorite incense with the corresponding holder to find out what works best!