Of the five human senses, smell is said to be the most powerful and evocative of them all. Different scents have the potential to bring about intense memory recall, emotional and mental arousal, and an overall feel of sheer delight. It also has the power to provoke utter contempt or physical queasiness.
Medical research has shown that some scents have a greater capacity to stir an emotional response than seeing a photograph or hearing a voice. For instance, if you were to smell the same perfume your mother wears in a department store, you would feel more connected to her then by looking at her picture. Conversely, an offensive odor like gasoline or the spray of a skunk may trigger a negative physical and psychological reaction.
It’s no wonder then that the “smell good” industry is a booming business. Just think about it — aromatherapy, candles, sprays, colognes, carpet fresheners and sticks of incense are all designed to create a certain atmosphere, elevate the mood, or just make life seem a little brighter. How many TV commercials are devoted to the promotion of products that produce an aroma of some kind? And it’s no wonder — people love things that smell lovely and delicious.
Of all the merchandise available on the scent market, incense is by far the most interesting option, as it comes with a rich history and an element of mystique. Most would agree that burning incense generates feelings that do not accompany a scented candle or an air freshener. In fact, many would say that incense not only omits an intoxicating fragrance, it brings with it a spiritual connotation or metaphysical significance.
The word incense comes from the Latin word “incendere” which means “to burn.” Incense is typically made of aromatic plant material and is often combined with essential oils. When burned, it releases a sweet-smelling smoke.
The way incense has been packaged and “consumed” has changed over time with advances in technology and the changing needs of those who enjoy burning incense. Today, the main types of incense can generally be separated into two classifications – direct and indirect burning. Indirect burning requires an independent heat source since it cannot burn itself. Direct burning incense is lit directly by a flame which is blown out. A glowing ember will cause the incense to burn itself, smolder and release the desired fragrance. Examples of direct burning incense are incense sticks and cones.
The term “incense” refers to the substance itself, rather than the odor it generates. Incense has been used for thousands of years in a variety of cultures for many different reasons. It has been burned in religious ceremonies; it has been used for ritual purification and it has even been employed in medical practices. And there are those who burn incense simply because they appreciate the smell of a wafting stick of incense.
Historians believe the use of incense began in Ancient Egypt, where the resins from trees were imported from the Arabian coasts to be used in religious ceremonies by the Pharoahs. Archeologists have uncovered evidence of incense in ancient civilizations in nearly every time period since. It was used frequently in Mesopotamia, India, Greece and Rome, and is also mentioned in ancient texts, including the Old and New Testaments and the Sumerian Epic of Gilgamesh, which predated the Torah.
Many believe certain aromas have beneficial effects on mind, body and soul. Lavender, for example, is associated with having a calming effect, just as rosemary and sage are fragrant herbs said to calm a hyperactive child. Using these fragrances as herbal remedies in the form of burning incense is said to have been adapted from traditional Native American practices.
Incense used for religious ritual was further developed in China and was eventually adopted by Korea, Japan and Vietnam as a viable way to practice spirituality. Incense still plays an exclusive role in East Asian Buddhist ceremonies as well as in those of Chinese Taoist and Japanese Shinto shrines. It is also used in conjunction with yoga and tai-chi.
The use of incense in Christian tradition dates back to its early beginnings. It even made in appearance in one of the most revered stories of all time – the birth of the baby Jesus. Remember, gold, frankincense and myrrh? The use of incense still serves as an important function in the church, a practice rich with symbolism. This is seen in Psalm 141, “Let my prayer be directed as incense in thy sight: the lifting up of my hands, as evening sacrifice.” Its purifying fragrance represents virtue. Its rising smoke represents the prayers of the congregation rising towards God as a sweet sacrificial offering. It is an integral part of any traditional Catholic Mass and used by many other Christian denominations.
While the history of incense may span centuries, incense itself has rolled with the times and shows no sign of decline in popularity. People all over the world continue to partake in the burning of incense and are content to treasure it as one of life’s simple pleasures.
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