The History of Incense
A history of the discovery and use of incense from ancient civilizations to modern times. Including its religious uses and the current trends toward using it for pleasure and relaxation.
It was the Japanese, who turned the use of incense into a fine art, it having come to their country during the 6th century compliments of China. Incense pastes of powdered herbs mixed with plum pulp, seaweed, charcoal and salt were pressed into cones, spirals or letters, and then burned on beds of ashes. Special schools taught (and still teach) Kohdoh, the art of incense. Students learned how to burn incense ceremonially, appreciate the fragrances and perform dances for incense-burning rituals.
Another use for incense is the measure of time. An incense stick clock changed its scent as time passed, but also dropped a brass ball in case no one was paying attention. A more sophisticated clock announced the time depending on which chimney the fragrant smoke issued from. Geishas frequently calculated the cost of their services according to how many sticks of incense had been consumed.
The Middle Ages
Incense fell out of favor in Europe during the Middle Ages as the church tried to distance itself from the “pagan” use of incense. However, not even the church, powerful and influential as it was could eliminate the use of incense altogether. So its use continued in many ways, (often in secret) as part of the rituals surrounding the practice of magic.
The Modern World
The use of incense in religion continues as an important aspect of several confirmed religions, being used to prepare the congregation for prayer and ritual. The Roman Catholic Church has continued to use it in its rites and ceremonial observances. Ironically, it now has incense at the heart of its rituals, just like the pagans and wiccans, the very groups it sought to avoid being associated with.
Incense has evolved in many forms: woods, herbs, pastes, powders, and liquids or oils. The most commonly used today is joss sticks or incense cones. Cones were an invention of the Japanese and introduced to the west at the World’s Fair in Chicago in the late 1800’s. It is not known when the Joss Stick or Masala incense first appeared but we do know that it was introduced to China by Buddhist monks around 200 A.D.
Modern incense lovers have many uses for it, including some that originate back in ancient times. Incense is believed to have beneficial effects on both the body and mind and certain aromatic ingredients such as lavender and vanilla are considered relaxing and calming.
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