Incense has been used across an enormous range of cultures and eras u2014 from ancient Egyptian temple offerings, to Chinese incense clocks used to measure time, to Japanese kōdō (u201cthe way of incenseu201d), to its role in Catholic and Orthodox Christian liturgy, to sage and resin burning in various Indigenous traditions of the Americas.
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Common Types of Incense
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- Stick and cone incense u2014 combustible incense bound with a binder, common in Japanese and Indian traditions
- Resin incense u2014 raw tree resins like frankincense and myrrh, burned on charcoal
- Bundled herbs u2014 dried herb bundles, historically connected with a range of cultural and ceremonial practices
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Modern, Everyday Use
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Today, incense is often incorporated into meditation, yoga, or journaling routines simply as a sensory cue that signals u201citu2019s time to slow downu201d u2014 similar to how a specific song or scent can anchor a habit.
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A Practical Note
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Burning incense produces smoke and particulate matter, so ventilate the room and avoid it if you have respiratory sensitivities. Always use a fireproof holder and never leave burning incense unattended.
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Recommended for This Practice
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A simple resin or stick incense set with a proper heat-safe holder is the easiest way to start. Explore more in our Practices guide hub.
Continue Your Reading Path
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