Incense Rising – A Ritual of Spirituality and Sanctity

Incense rising through the air evokes feelings of ritual, spirituality and sanctity. Across cultures, people have used incense for centuries to enhance meditation, elevate religious experiences and create a sense of place. While some experts warn that the inhalation of incense smoke may harm the lungs, others say the ritual is beneficial for mental health and well-being. In the United States, boutique luxury takes on incense are on the rise as a result of the “heritage revival,” a movement that favors tactile design and sensorial pleasure, according to the New York Times. These products are often formulated with aromatic natural materials, such as cedar wood, frankincense and myrrh, and include directions that suggest users set a meditative intention before burning the product.

The ancient practice of using incense during worship has been linked to a variety of spiritual beliefs, such as paganism and Hinduism. The biblical Book of Revelation describes an apocalyptic vision where the 24 elders worshiped the Lamb that was slain, holding “harps and gold bowls full of incense” that “are the prayers of saints.” This is seen as an act of offering.

When Catholics attend Mass, they often encounter the evocative sight and smell of incense rising from a thurible, or censer. It’s used at the beginning of a procession to mark the entrance to the church; as a prelude to reading and preaching; when an altar or cross is blessed; when prayers are offered; and during the Eucharistic Prayer. The General Instruction of the Roman Missal notes that incensation is a sign of reverence, a gesture that can evoke a feeling of closeness to God.

The specific ingredients of holy incense are a closely guarded secret. But the predatory sea snail known as Murex whelks was once widely believed to be a key ingredient in sacred incense. The snail is a marine gastropod, with a purple shell that’s dyed through a process called alizarin tincture. This pigment is derived from the juice of the fruit sacs of a certain plant, which is soaked into the shell and then dried. The shell is then polished and ground into a powder, which is sifted to separate out the impurities.

The resulting incense is a combination of essential oils and resins such as aloe, myrrh, benzoin, styrax and copal. It’s often burned at the altar of a home, as it was in ancient Rome. But it’s also used at Japanese shrines to inari Okami or the seven lucky gods and in Buddhist temples. And a growing number of individuals are buying their own personal incense burners and creating altars in their homes. Epidemiologic studies show that long-term exposure to incense and related household smoke has been linked to accelerated cognitive decline, respiratory conditions and smaller volume in the prefrontal cortex and association areas in the front of the brain. But some studies also indicate that incense use can boost the mood and improve sleep quality. The Conversation AU is supported by the University of Southern Cross.