Incenses are aromatic biotic material that are known to release soothing fragrant smoke when they are burnt. The word “Incense” originated from the Latin word “Incendere” which means “to burn”. Incense has played a major role in several world religions in ancient days and even till today, they are burnt to counteract unwanted odor around human habitation and of they are the ancient form of what we know as the present day perfumes that we have several brands with their unique fragrance and odor. Some of the ancient religions that employ the use of incense include Buddhism, Hinduism, the Shintos and Taoists among others. Incenses are also known or believed to deter demons so as to appease the gods with a soothing and pleasant aroma. It is a means of attracting the divine oracles with the belief that the gods find a kind of solace and ease in answering prayers when incenses are being burnt.
The oldest source of incense is the Rigveda and Atharva-Veda which are set out to ensure a uniform method of producing incense. Incense burners were first used in China in the early 2,000 B.C. and they became a kind of art during the China’s Han dynasty between 206 B.C. to 220 A.D. India is known to be the largest incense producers of incense, this has formed a part of their export commodities as they export to several European and African countries. The most common method of burning incense in India is through agarbathi or incense sticks.
Ingredients used in making incense
Incense are primarily made from pure natural ingredients and resins that include myrrh, frankincense, amber, and other ingredients that may be derived from tree resins, flowers, roots, seeds, and aromatic barks. Among others. There are several ingredients used in making incense; they include frankincense, myrrh, halmaddi, and amber among others. These ingredients help to act as a fragrance and binding agents and they also help to add distinctive fragrance to the finished incense. The incense stick is made with punk sticks and fragrance oil.
· Punk Sticks: They are made from bamboos and are normally gotten from China.
· Fragrant Oil: The fragrant oils are gotten from natural aromatic plants or from other fragrances and other perfumes that are mixed with other oils.
· Halmaddi: Halmaddi is an earth colored liquid resin that acts as a fragrant binding ingredient that is used in the traditional Masala incense
Famous incenses used by various nations
The Egyptians imported resins for use in their daily worship as they adore the sun god Amon-Ra and they also use it as part of the rites used in burying the dead. They believed the smoke that comes from burning the incense helps to lift the dead souls toward heaven. The Egyptians also produce perfumes and cosmetics of incense that are mixed with oils and herbs, and blended spices.
The Babylonians were known to bring incense into Israel just before the Babylonian Exile. Babylonians use incense during rituals and prayers to try to manifest and bring down the potency in the power of their gods; the most common form of incense in Babylon were resins from fir, pine trees, and cypress. They also believe that incenses have the power to heal and a s a result of this it became a part of the Jewish worship both before and after the exile. The Babylonians make use of myrrh, and frankincense made from Arabia in the temples during Christ’s teachings, although the practice has since gone out of fashion in the present day Jewish tradition.
The ancient Romans and Greeks make use of incenses to drive demons away and appease the gods. They believed that there is enormous power in burning of incense to sanctify the environment so that there will be a conducive environment for the gods to come down and answer prayers and also shower blessings while they worship.
Other countries where incenses are used include Japan, Indian, and several countries on the continent of Africa. There are still several religions till date that still believe in the potency of burning incenses to draw down the presence of the divine.