What is Incense?

A perfumed smoke emitted from burning gum resins or other fragrant substances, used for religious and ceremonial purposes. The scents evoked are said to be beneficial for the mind and body, helping the wearer to reach meditative states and to purify the environment. Incense also plays a role in some mystical and magical practices, as well as in everyday personal care and health.

The origin of the word incense is uncertain, but it is associated with the Latin verb incendere meaning “to burn”. Throughout history humans have burned natural materials such as barks and berries to release their pleasant smell. The practice of burning incense has been linked to religious ritual since antiquity. The use of incense in religious rites is widespread throughout the world and continues to be used today for purification and worshipping deities and ancestors.

Incense can be made from many different natural or synthetic substances. The most common form of incense is a stick that can be lit and blown out to emit aromatic smoke. A stick of incense can be scented with a variety of oils, resins and spices, or it can consist of a single scent such as frankincense, myrrh or ambergris. Other popular incense products include incense powders, granulated incense, and a type of incense paper called Carta d’Armenie that is infused with resin and oil and folded accordion style into a small square, which when lit releases the fragrance.

In ancient times, incense was a valuable commodity. Frankincense, myrrh and other precious resins were traded extensively across the ancient and medieval world. This trade helped to develop many cities and fueled much of the world’s economy.

The burning of incense has been a daily practice in temples, monasteries and mosques. It is an important part of a number of religions and is a central ritual in Chinese ancestor worship, Taoism, and Buddhism. The use of incense is also a common feature in Japanese Shinto shrines.

It is also a common practice for people to use incense in their homes to purify the air and create a more relaxed environment. It is often used in meditation and in aromatherapy. It can also be used to repel insects that may be distracting or irritating. Many Tibetan Buddhists use a type of incense called dhoop to protect themselves from mosquitoes and other biting insects while they meditate.

Many people simply enjoy the fragrance of incense, without assigning any other significance to it. In a similar way that art is appreciated for its beauty and music is enjoyed for the enjoyment of sound, incense can be appreciated for its subtle and complex aroma.

Incense is an essential component of some rituals, especially in the Roman Catholic and Eastern Orthodox churches. It is also used in some Hindu and Buddhist traditions, and in some other non-Christian religions. Some people also use incense as a form of aromatherapy and to help achieve a state of mental clarity and concentration.