Incense and Life

Now let’s introduce where Incense is applied in our daily life

Is humanity’s love for incense a physical need or a spiritual need?

Humanity’s need for incense is a holistic requirement of both the body and the mind. First and foremost, it is a fundamental bodily need: when one inhales incense , the qi and blood flow smoothly; when one inhales foul odors, the qi and blood flow in the opposite direction. incense is also an excellent remedy for strengthening the body, expelling pathogens, unblocking meridians, opening orifices, promoting blood circulation, dissolving blood stasis, and treating diseases before they manifest. The Yellow Emperor said, “The five energies each have their own domain, but only incense converge with the spleen.” The spleen is the root of the Yangming meridian. The process of incense transformation in the human body is also a process of nurturing and maintaining the Yangming meridian. The health of the Yangming meridian is a crucial factor in overall health. The Yellow Emperor said, “When the Yangming is deficient, disease arises.” The Yangming meridian is the primary pathway through which pathogenic energies enter the body. Therefore, incense are a fundamental necessity for maintaining health and preventing and treating illness.

Secondly, incense is the nourishment of one’s true nature and a remedy for nurturing both body and mind. According to the interpretation of the human body in traditional Chinese medicine and philosophy, one’s true nature is the fundamental ruler of a person. When a person possesses the health of their true nature, they can not only harmonize with nature and achieve overall physical and mental well-being but also develop a healthy worldview and boundless wisdom. Therefore, to nurture one’s true nature, our ancestors in the Han Dynasty established a comprehensive theoretical system for the cultivation of the spirit through incense . From then on, incense products have taken on multiple responsibilities in nurturing the mind and promoting health from various levels and perspectives, becoming indispensable daily necessities for both the mind and body.

What is the relationship between Incense and the life of ancient people?

In the lives of our ancestors, the delicate incense of incense has accompanied them for at least six thousand years. “The perpetuation of incense” and “the enduring incense of a hundred generations” not only reflect the lifestyle of our ancestors but also embody their attitude toward life. The phrase “Mingde wei xiang” from the Book of Documents reveals the connection between morality and incense, making incense a lifelong model and teacher for the ancients. The ancients used incense to symbolize the “gentleman,” and by being accompanied by incense every day, one could be guided by the gentleman’s righteous thoughts and actions. Therefore, incenses became an indispensable part of people’s lives and an important factor in shaping the unique personality and thinking traits of the Chinese nation. In China’s cultural and artistic works, such as poetry, prose, music, and calligraphy, the ethereal, graceful, and subtle qualities of incense smoke are everywhere, evoking an endless sense of incense and inspiration. In daily life, incense is mentioned in the “Nine Songs”: “Bathing in fragrant water, wearing colorful clothes like flowers,” ” Steamed with fragrant herbs and wrapped in orchid leaves, served with cassia wine and pepper-infused broth.“ In ”Xunzi: Zheng Lun,“ it is said that the ancient emperor valued rest and relaxation, and even his chariot was adorned with fragrant herbs: ”He rode in a grand chariot with a rush mat to nurture his peace of mind, carried zhi herbs on the side to nurture his sense of smell, and had a decorative bar in front to nurture his vision.”

Home incense is the most diverse. Categorized by function, it includes incense for daily use, cooking, festivals and rituals, reading, calligraphy and painting, bedrooms, study rooms, architecture, and different types of incense for entertaining different guests. There is also kitchen incense, toilet incense, curtain incense, portable incense pouches, incense handkerchiefs, and incense-scented stationery for letters. The various incense stands, incense tables, incense beds, and incense accessories that accompany these are also indispensable companions in people’s daily lives.

In traditional home incense use, incense designed to soothe the mind and nurture the spirit accounts for a significant proportion. Especially during the Song Dynasty, emperors, nobles, and literati not only used incense but also many of them blended their own incense. Figures such as Emperor Huizong of Song, Ding Wei, Cai Jing, Su Dongpo, and Huang Tingjian were all masters of incense blending, and blending incense was an important part of their daily cultural and artistic pursuits. There are dozens of famous plum blossom-themed incense blends left behind by literati throughout history, including renowned ones such as “Princess Shouyang’s Plum Blossom Incense,” “Spring Message in the Snow,” “Spring Message from Jiangnan,” and “Spring News.” These fine incense blends, when burned in a clean room, can purify the mind and bring a sense of renewal. As the incense burns, one not only feels as though bathed in spring breeze and immersed in a plum blossom garden but also experiences a transformative sensation and a refreshing clarity of spirit.

Why did people in ancient times place such importance on incense?

In ancient times, incense played an extremely important and irreplaceable role in people’s daily lives. From the external nourishment of incense to the inherent incense of one’s nature (ancient people referred to this as “heart incense” or “nature incense”), this was precisely the essence of people’s pursuit of health and well-being. Ancient people believed that a person whose life force and vital organs were in harmony, whose blood and qi were balanced, and whose character was noble, would naturally emit a incense from within. Therefore, incense was seen as a reflection of a person’s health and virtue. This incense was regarded as the inherent incense of all things in the universe, a symbol of health, and the true manifestation of the harmony of life and vitality. The incense that people aspired to was introduced into daily life by the sages in the form of incense, which may be one of the reasons why people began to burn incense indoors five thousand years ago.

Perfumes made from aromatic plants also have the effects of promoting blood circulation, opening the senses, strengthening the body, and expelling evil spirits, making them excellent medicines for preventing and treating diseases. At the same time, many perfumes also have antibacterial and insect repellent effects, and can be made from locally sourced materials, making them easy to produce and use. These may be the basic reasons why ancient people loved and used perfumes.

Therefore, from the first incense offering of the day, reading and writing should be accompanied by incense, welcoming guests and entertaining friends should be accompanied by incense, and the arts of music, chess, calligraphy, and painting should all be accompanied by incense. In the imperial court, in temples, in official residences and common dwellings, in humble abodes and thatched cottages, the scent of incense lingers constantly. Even the carriages and horses of the nobility carry that delicate fragrance into the bustling streets and alleys. Incense not only enhances the environment but, more importantly, it has the power to refine one’s character, nurture the soul, ward off epidemics, and promote health and well-being.

What did the ancients seek to achieve when using incense?

Ancient people used incense in various forms, including burning incense, wearing it, hanging it, ingesting it, bathing with it, and using it for medicinal purposes and in architecture. From these diverse applications, it is clear that ancient people did not use incense merely for its fragrance, but rather valued inner peace and the tranquility of one’s true nature. It was a means of providing constant care and nourishment for both “nature” and “destiny,” seeking true and fundamental health. The use of incense was not merely a pursuit of form, nor was it solely for ritual purposes, nor was it simply a lifestyle habit or a matter of following fashion.

The essence of incense use in Chinese culture aligns with the fundamental principles of Confucianism. Even within the limited span of human life, one can achieve both health and longevity while striving for the state of unity between heaven and humanity. This pursuit yields the wellspring of wisdom, enabling the creation of true wisdom that benefits society and blesses future generations. Through this, one attains the infinite continuation of life, achieving true longevity, immortalizing one’s name in history, and ensuring the perpetuation of one’s legacy. Therefore, the ancient use of incense was primarily a moral cultivation practice. In the minds of the ancients, incense represented righteousness and served as a moral standard. Its fragrance served as a measure of one’s character, values, and moral compass; it was a means to nurture one’s emotions and inspire creativity; and it also functioned as a remedy to ward off epidemics, purify the environment, calm the mind, and restore spiritual balance.

As Qu Yuan once said, he used aromatic herbs to emulate the great sages of past generations, emphasizing both “cultivation of ability” and “inner beauty.” “Having this inner beauty, I further enhance it with cultivated ability,” and “I follow the ways of my predecessors, which are not what the world admires.” The ancients used external adornment and application to cultivate their inner will, for “the more adorned one is, the clearer one’s will becomes; the more one cultivates one’s will, the purer it becomes.” This is the fundamental pursuit of the Chinese people in their use of fragrances.

How did ancient people appreciate and use incense?

The use of incense was an integral part of daily life in ancient times. In all aspects of life and work, incense burners on incense stands were almost constantly emitting wispy wisps of fragrant smoke. The placement of these incense tools requires them to be positioned in a prominent yet dignified location, while maintaining a certain distance from where people sit or lie, to facilitate the blending of fragrance and air. Through the nose, heart, and pores of the body, the fragrance communicates with the person in a holistic manner. Maintaining a certain distance between the incense and the person enjoying it allows one to truly achieve mental and physical harmony and tranquility, enabling the fragrance to freely traverse the body, mind, and the universe.

Even at elegant gatherings where scholars and connoisseurs of incense gathered to appraise incense, the ancients would never bring the incense close to their noses to smell it. This was considered an improper and disrespectful act. When the ancients savored incense, they would hold the incense burner in their left hand, placing it at the level of the lower abdomen, and gently fan the fragrance upward with their right hand, savoring it slowly. The placement of incense burners also followed specific rules. Incense burners were typically placed independently on an incense table or altar. Scholars sometimes placed incense burners on their writing desks for both aesthetic and practical purposes. In such cases, the incense burner should have a base. When using a set of incense burners, containers, and boxes, a dedicated low table was required for placement.

What is the status of incense in traditional culture?

The history of incense use in China dates back at least six thousand years. Over the course of these six thousand years, incense has served as both a trusted companion and an indispensable part of people’s daily lives. It has also been the fundamental pursuit of the Chinese people in perfecting their lives, fulfilling the fundamental need for harmony between life and morality, and achieving moral perfection. Culture is the product of people’s emotional perception of the world, their understanding of it, their description of ideals and aspirations, and the outward expression of their inner nature. Therefore, as a means of nurturing the spirit and bringing joy, incense plays a uniquely significant role in the growth and development of Chinese culture. It is the intangible lifeblood of Chinese culture and one of the key factors in the formation of its distinctive characteristics.

From a unique perspective, we can observe that whether it be the Shangshu, the Li Sao, Han Dynasty grand fu, Tang poetry and Song lyrics, Yuan drama, Ming and Qing novels, calligraphy, Chinese painting, guqin music, or opera, we find the graceful, ethereal presence of incense smoke, and the unique, subtle, reserved, and elegant aura inherent in incense. In the process of their formation and development, various categories of Chinese culture seem to have an inextricable connection with incense. Therefore, one who studies Chinese culture cannot truly understand the essence of Chinese culture without understanding incense. It can be said that incense culture holds a particularly important and unique position within Chinese culture.

What is incense competition, and what are its forms and processes?

Incense appreciation was a refined gathering of literati and scholars during the Tang and Song dynasties, where they would appreciate incense, play with incense, and discuss and refine their incense appreciation skills. The main topics of discussion at these gatherings were usually the contents of incense, the aroma and smoke of incense, and the shape of incense. There would also be discussions on incense ingredients, incense burners, impromptu poetry and lyrics, calligraphy and painting, and many other topics.

According to records, during the reign of Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, the brothers Zong Chuke and Ji Chunen, Wu Sanshi, Empress Wei’s relatives, and many powerful ministers often held elegant gatherings: “Each brought famous incense to compare its quality, calling it ‘incense competition.’”

Are the incense used in ancient rituals and the incense used in daily life the same type of incense?

The use of incense in ancient times was strictly distinguished in the early period. In ancient times, dragon’s brain and agarwood were primarily used for sacrificial rituals to the heavens, as agarwood is considered a purely yang substance, “used to honor the yang.” For sacrificial rituals to the earth, the roots of the hyacinth flower were soaked in wine, and this fragrant wine, known as “chang wine,” was used as an offering. The hyacinth flower is yin in nature and harmonizes with the earth. Ancient records also mention that the incense used in sacrificial rituals was mixed with “the fat between the intestines of the sacrificial animal,” which is what was commonly referred to as “meat incense” in the past.

Home fragrances, on the other hand, are mostly blended to meet human needs. They are fragrances that are fun, relaxing, and help prevent illness and promote health. The blending of these fragrances has strict requirements and rules based on different needs, and the goal is to nourish the mind and body.

When people talk about three sticks of incense, are they referring to three incense sticks?

The “zhu” in the ancient three sticks of incense does not mean “column,” so it is definitely not “three columns” of incense or three sticks of incense, but rather three offerings of incense, or in other words, three separate offerings of incense.

Specifically, in an incense-burning ceremony, according to the ritual procedures, three separate offerings of incense are made to complete the different parts and levels of the ritual, rather than simply offering three sticks of incense.

What were the main forms of incense in ancient times?

Before the early Han Dynasty, incense products were mostly in the form of incense materials that were mixed together and burned directly. From the Han Dynasty to the Song Dynasty, incense products mainly took the form of incense powder, incense sticks, incense oil, and incense balls.

The emergence and use of incense sticks dates back to approximately the Five Dynasties or Northern Song Dynasty. The emergence and popularity of stick incense and dragon-shaped incense (similar to today’s coil incense) dates back to approximately the mid-Ming Dynasty.

Why do traditional incense products have the ability to treat diseases before they occur?

There are two main reasons why incense has such good effects in preventing and treating diseases.

First, according to the theory of yin and yang, aromatic medicines are born from pure yang energy and are pure yang substances. They have the ability to strengthen the body and expel evil spirits, as well as generate yang energy.

Secondly, fragrance has a special efficacy in nurturing the Yangming Meridian. The Yangming Meridian is the sea of yang qi’s generation and transformation, and the thoroughfare of its circulation, often referred to as the “dragon vein” of the human body. It is of great importance to human health, and many diseases are directly related to the Yangming Meridian. Many classical texts of traditional Chinese medicine, such as the Huangdi Neijing, have extensively discussed this, for example: “When the Yangming Meridian is deficient, the heart and spleen lose their nourishment, and blood ceases to be generated,” and ” When the Yangming Meridian is deficient, the tendons become lax, leading to weakness and inability to use the limbs.“ ”When the Yangming Meridian is deficient, external pathogenic factors such as wind can invade, causing facial paralysis, numbness, convulsions, and loss of consciousness.“ The underlying cause is that ”when the Yangming Meridian is deficient, pathogenic factors easily invade.”

The mouth and nose are the orifices of the Yangming meridian and serve as the primary gateways for the body’s defense against disease.

The direct effect of incense on the human body is to nurture the “Yangming Meridian,” bringing it to a state of health and ensuring it retains the ability to resist “external pathogens,” thereby achieving the goal of preventing external pathogens from invading the body. Therefore, ancient people regarded incense as an excellent remedy for health preservation, disease prevention, and the treatment of illnesses before they manifest, and it was never far from their side. Historical records also document numerous instances of using aromatic medicines to prevent infectious diseases such as influenza and plagues. If humanity can use aromatic medicines reasonably, they not only play a significant role in disease prevention, treatment, and health preservation, but the fragrant, positive energy-filled environment they create can also enhance people’s moods, leading to a joyful and healthy life.

Why does incense have a special nourishing effect on the Yangming meridian?

The Yangming Meridian (Foot Yangming Meridian and Hand Yangming Meridian) is the longest meridian in the human body. It originates at the mouth and nose, runs through the limbs and internal organs, and is associated with the stomach. The Foot Yangming Meridian is connected to the stomach, communicates with the heart, and emerges at the mouth. The Hand Yangming Meridian is connected to the lungs, enters the large intestine, and connects with the Foot Yangming Stomach Meridian at the Yingxiang acupoint. Therefore, traditional Chinese medicine states, “When the Yangming is deficient, disease arises.” Thus, the Yangming Meridian is a meridian that has a significant impact on human health.

How should the Yangming meridian be nurtured? The Yellow Emperor’s Classic states, “Regarding the five energies, fragrant aromas gather at the spleen; the ancients already understood this.” Therefore, fragrant aromas are an excellent remedy for nurturing the Yangming meridian, preventing illness before it occurs, and promoting health and longevity.

Has anyone in history used incense to treat illnesses?

According to historical records, many famous doctors in history, such as Ge Hong, Tao Hongjing, Zhang Zhongjing, and Li Shizhen, used aromatic medicines to treat illnesses directly. These methods included internal administration, wearing, application, burning, fumigation, and bathing.

The use of aromatic products or aromatic medicines to prevent and treat infectious diseases has a history of thousands of years in China. Many classical Chinese medical texts, such as the Compendium of Materia Medica, the Universal Remedies, and the Emergency Handbook, contain content on using aromatic products or formulating prescriptions primarily with aromatic medicines for disease prevention and treatment. Many simple and practical epidemic prevention methods are still in use today, such as the traditional practice of burning mugwort, angelica, patchouli, and mint to prevent influenza and other infectious diseases, with good results.

Is there a specific time for burning incense?

In Huang Tingjian’s “Ten Virtues of Incense,” one of the virtues is “frequent use without obstruction.” Many ancient records also mention the “uninterrupted burning of incense” in daily life. For example, in the “Palace Poems” by Lady Huarui of the Later Shu Dynasty, there are lines such as, “The jade incense burner is filled with fragrant incense, and the double phoenix tower is bathed in the morning sun,” and ” Xiu Yi, favored by the emperor, resides in the Dragon Pool; sweeping the floor and burning incense at noon,“ and ”In the cold night, incense smoke rises from the golden chamber; lamps and candles shine brightly in the Purple Palace.” These lines describe the use of incense at different times of the day—morning, noon, and night. Especially at night, when pathogenic qi is more likely to invade, it is even more important to strengthen the body’s defenses, expel pathogenic factors, and nourish the vital energy. The “Ten Virtues of Incense” specifically mentions that incense “aids sleep,” so ancient people not only burned incense before bed but also hung incense pouches around their beds and used scented pillows to ward off external pathogens and prevent illness. Incense was an integral part of daily life in ancient times, so there were no time restrictions on its use.

What should be noted when using incense for meditation?

The process of meditation, excluding religious content, involves the opening of the body’s pores and the circulation of qi and blood through the meridians. It is also a process of deep interaction between the body and the external environment. Therefore, the requirements for incense during this period should be even more stringent. The best choice is traditional classic incense or specialized meditation incense. Under no circumstances should chemical incense be used, as the harmful components in chemical incense will enter the body in greater quantities during this period, potentially blocking the pores and channels. Additionally, single-ingredient incense should also be avoided, as it is detrimental to the harmonious balance of qi and blood, yin and yang, organs, and vital energy.

How were incense products used to fumigate clothes in ancient times?

Ancient incense products for perfuming clothes can basically be divided into two categories: one category is incense sticks that are hung directly in the wardrobe, which release their fragrance naturally and perfume the clothes; the other category is incense balls and incense ointments used for heating. Incense balls and incense ointments are heated to release their fragrance, which is then absorbed by the clothes.

Incense products can be combined in different ways according to the season, age, gender, and occasion to achieve the desired effect.

The process of incense burning and clothing fumigation is as follows: After burning incense in the incense burner, cover the incense burner with an incense cage, and place the clothing on top of the incense cage.

Is incense burning for clothes and bedding exclusively for women?

Since ancient times, from scholars and officials to ordinary people, regardless of gender, there has been a custom of carrying fragrant items and sachets. These served not only as decorative accessories and body fragrances but also had the functions of dispelling evil spirits, repelling impurities, and preventing illness. Additionally, they reflected moral cultivation and symbolized social status and taste.

In ancient times, many men favored the strong fragrance of perfumed clothing, leaving behind numerous anecdotes. For instance, Cao Cao’s Chancellor, Yao Hu, was said to have sat in a place where the fragrance lingered for three days. This is reflected in many lines of Tang poetry and Song lyrics, such as Bai Juyi’s “Flowers envy the beauty of the Xie family, and orchids steal the fragrance of the Miao Ling,” Li Shangyin’s “The fragrance of clothes lingers for ten miles as the official passes by the bridge,” and Yuan Zhen’s “The fragrance of the official has faded, leaving the bamboo mat empty; poems mourning the deceased fill the old screen.” Ouyang Xiu’s “Return to the Fields” mentions the famous Song Dynasty statesman Mei Xun, who would burn two incense burners every morning before going to work, drape his official robes over the burners to infuse them with fragrance, and then pinch the fragrant sleeves before leaving home. Upon arriving at his office, he would spread his sleeves, filling the room with a rich aroma. Of course, fragrance was also an indispensable part of women’s lives in ancient times. Figures such as Xi Shi, Wu Zetian, Yang Guifei, and Hua Rui all left behind many charming tales related to fragrance.

Why did ancient people use aromatic herbs to preserve fruit?

In “Wu Lin Ji Shi: Gao Zong’s Visit to Zhang’s Mansion,” the menu for Zhang Jun’s grand banquet for Gao Zong is described, including “a row of fragrant herbs: brain flower, licorice flower, cinnabar ball, wood fragrance clove, water borne, jujube, shrinking sand flower, official osmanthus flower, white atractylodes ginseng, and olive flower. A row of fragrant and salty dishes: Fragrant medicine papaya, pepper plum, fragrant medicine vine flowers, fragrant cherry, perilla leaf fragrance, fragrant daylily flowers, fragrant grape, licorice flowers, ginger thread plum, plum meat cake, water red ginger, and mixed thread plum cake. “Plums and other fruits are highly acidic and are classified as yin in traditional medicine. During the Song Dynasty, it was popular to use aromatic herbs to process fruits in order to achieve a balanced nature and taste, which is more beneficial to health.”

Why did ancient people like to bathe in fragrant water?

What is referred to as “fragrant bathwater” is bathwater infused with various aromatic herbs. The benefits of bathing in fragrant bathwater extend beyond simply cleansing the body and removing dirt and grime. It also helps to unblock meridians, nourish qi and blood, expel pathogenic qi, improve blood circulation in the skin, and alleviate various skin conditions. Additionally, the aromatic scent plays a role in purifying the mind, leaving one feeling refreshed and invigorated. In ancient times, people often took aromatic baths during daily health practices, such as on the Dragon Boat Festival and other seasonal festivals, before paying respects to elders, and before sacrificial ceremonies and celebrations.

The oldest existing Chinese calendar, Xia Xiaozheng, first mentions “May… storing orchids for bathing.” This is the famous orchid bath, which has a long tradition. Later, it developed into the custom of bathing with fragrant herbs such as orchids, mugwort, and calamus during the Dragon Boat Festival.

The “Biography of Zhao Feiyan” mentions that Empress Zhao Feiyan of Emperor Cheng of Han used a “Five Elements and Seven Fragrances Bath” when bathing, while her younger sister Zhao He’de, who was later granted the title of Jiehao after entering the palace, used a “Cardamom Bath.” Li Shangyin described the Huaqing Pool on Mount Li with the poetic line, “The springs of Mount Li flow with warm fragrance.” Since the Song Dynasty, public bathhouses operated by the general public have been collectively known as “Perfume Shops,” as bathwater often contained aromatic herbs and flowers. These Perfume Shops remained open year-round, allowing people to enjoy aromatic baths at any time in their daily lives.

Why were sachets hung on the corners of doors, windows, and beds in ancient domestic life?

The ancients said, “What is born from the pure yang energy of heaven and earth is fragrance.” Fragrance is an excellent remedy for promoting yang energy, strengthening the body, expelling evil, preventing disease, and treating illness before it occurs. It also has insect-repelling properties.

Ancient sachets were filled with a blend of aromatic herbs. The purpose of hanging sachets on doors, windows, and bed corners was to prevent illness, promote health, strengthen the body, ward off evil spirits, and repel insects. At the same time, beautifully crafted sachets also served to decorate the environment.

Why did the ancients place particular emphasis on using scented pillows when sleeping to prevent illness and promote health?

The onset of illness is often attributed to factors such as physical weakness, deficiency of vital energy, and a decline in the body’s natural defense mechanisms, allowing pathogenic factors to take advantage of these vulnerabilities. During the day, people expend a significant amount of energy through work and study. At night, the body enters a period of overall replenishment and adjustment, which is also a time when pathogenic factors are more likely to invade. To prevent such invasions, ancient people developed aromatic pillows made by combining aromatic herbs. These carefully formulated aromatic pillows possess the effects of tonifying the body, expelling pathogenic factors, replenishing vital energy, and unblocking meridians and opening orifices. They also have disinfecting, antibacterial, and protective properties against external pathogenic factors. They not only improve sleep quality but also regulate and adjust the body during sleep. A rigorously formulated aromatic pillow has a nurturing effect on the body that cannot be replaced by other items.

What other forms of ancient incense burning were there?

During the Han Dynasty, imperial secretaries were required to chew chicken tongue incense when presenting reports, which may be the earliest recorded use of natural “chewing gum” in Chinese history. By the Sui and Tang Dynasties, there were already numerous meticulously formulated aromatic products for chewing, ingestion, and topical application. For example, the “Five-Spice Pills” mentioned in the Thousand Gold Prescriptions for freshening the breath, as well as numerous beauty formulas incorporating aromatic herbs, such as lip balm, face cream, hand cream, bath beans, fragrant lotions, and fragrant powders. Fragrant herbs can open the orifices and unblock the meridians, guiding the herbs to gather internally, thereby promoting the smooth flow of qi and blood, harmonizing the protective and nutritive qi, and ensuring the smooth circulation of qi. Hence, there is the saying, “When a person’s qi and blood are infused with fragrance, they flow smoothly,” and “Fragrant and pungent substances can thus moisturize and nourish.”

Why did the ancients love to use fragrant woods and herbs in construction?

The “Nine Songs” from the Chu Ci includes the lines, “The beams are made of cassia wood, and the lintels are made of magnolia wood.” Emperor Wu of Han had the “Bailang Terrace,” Yang Su had the “Shenxiang Hall,” and Emperor Ming of Tang had the “Shenxiang Pavilion.” Yang Guozhong had the “Four Fragrance Pavilion,” Yuan Zai had the “Yunhui Hall,” and Hua Rui’s wife had the “Pine and Cypress Tower with Nanmu Wood Panels, where a warm breeze carries a fragrant breeze.” The doors and windows of ancient residences were also often made of fragrant wood. Generally, fragrant wood has natural防腐 properties and can help rooms generate yang energy, preventing yin evil energy, thus serving a beneficial purpose for life.

How should incense be stored?

The storage method of incense products has a significant impact on their quality and aroma. Different incense products require different storage methods. For incense products, proper storage is essential, and the longer they are stored, the better. High-quality incense products, when stored for an extended period, develop a purer and more balanced aroma, free from harshness, with a smoother and more enduring fragrance.

Moisture resistance, water resistance, resistance to trampling, resistance to insect damage, fire resistance, and resistance to deformation are its basic requirements. More importantly, proper storage helps improve the quality of incense. To prevent the mixing of medicinal properties and fragrances, each type of incense should be stored separately. Incense products with the same formula but different shapes can be stored together.

Incense cakes, incense balls, incense oils, and incense powders are best stored in sealed ceramic jars. If possible, storing them in a cellar is an even better option.

Incense sticks and coiled incense should be stored flat in a wooden box to prevent moisture, dryness, and damage, and to prevent deformation. This also facilitates the further blending of the incense ingredients, resulting in a more mellow and smooth aroma.

How should the environment for incense appreciation be set up?

The traditional Chinese process of appreciating incense is to “smell it up close and savor its fragrance from afar.” Aside from incense used in daily life, the incense rooms and study rooms where literati and scholars brew tea and appreciate incense must be spacious, quiet, bright, and well-ventilated so that the fragrance can swirl and blend with the air and environment. They should also be decorated with paintings, calligraphy, guqin, spirit stones, and flowers and trees to add to the elegance.

Incense connoisseurs sit comfortably on incense beds or chairs, maintaining a certain distance from the incense table. They inhale the fragrance and observe the marvelous changes in the incense smoke. When in a contemplative mood, they recite poetry and discuss literature; when in a spontaneous mood, they sing aloud and dance. “What am I but a mere creature in this vast universe?” As their minds and surroundings blend harmoniously, perhaps this is the lingering resonance that incense studies can achieve.

Are there any tips for using incense sticks?

Traditional incense sticks and coils use natural adhesives, and in order to ensure optimal fragrance, the amount of adhesive is generally kept to a minimum. As a result, the finished incense products are not very flexible. Therefore, during transportation and handling, the incense is prone to breaking and shattering, leaving many users at a loss. Discarding it is wasteful, but using it is difficult.

In fact, broken incense sticks can still be used effectively. Generally, broken incense sticks can be laid flat with their ends connected, or they can be connected in an “N” shape. A small amount of incense powder can be placed at the connection points, allowing the broken incense sticks to burn continuously. Additionally, this method allows you to determine the duration of burning. If a longer burning time is needed, simply arrange more incense sticks in a row. Even whole incense sticks can be used in this manner to achieve the desired burning time.

How should incense sticks left in the incense burner be disposed of?

For those who frequently burn incense, the leftover incense sticks in the incense burner can often be a real headache. In fact, the solution is quite simple: use an incense shovel or spoon to dig a hole in the center of the incense burner, about two-thirds the depth of the ash. Use incense tongs to pick up a dozen or so incense sticks, light them, and place them in the hole. Gently cover them with ash, then poke a hole in the ash to allow ventilation. The incense sticks in the burner will burn completely. Additionally, the incense ash in the burner will dry out and become loose, transforming into “live ash.” In ancient times, there was a custom of burning incense sticks on the first and fifteenth days of the lunar month.

How can incense be used to promote health and ward off illness?

To achieve the ideal health and disease-preventing effects of incense, several points should be noted:

(1) Choose incense products with specific formulas and targeted effects.

(2) Choose a space of appropriate size for burning incense;

(3) To achieve sufficient quantity and frequency of incense use, maintain sufficient concentration of fragrance in the space where incense is used.

(4) Use incense to control air circulation appropriately. Wind speed should not be too fast, and the space should not be closed for long periods of time.

(5) Choose the appropriate time to use incense, such as when you are relaxed, quiet, or sleeping.

Many fragrances have the effect of improving sleep quality. Do fragrances have a calming effect?

Throughout history, incense used for daily life has rarely contained sedative drugs. Therefore, traditional incense does not have the sleep-inducing effects associated with modern or Western thinking. The improvement in sleep quality after using incense is due to its harmonizing and balancing effects. Why do young people have good sleep quality? The fundamental reason is that their minds and bodies are in harmony and balance, their yang energy is abundant, their minds are calm and peaceful, and their minds are in control.

As we age, our vital energy gradually depletes, leading to an imbalance in the body’s yin and yang energies. This imbalance prevents the mind from effectively regulating the body, and it also becomes susceptible to interference from external information and energy. As a result, sleep quality becomes a significant health issue that is difficult to address effectively as we grow older. However, our ancestors have been skillfully using aromatic herbs and fragrances to regulate sleep for thousands of years. During the Song Dynasty, Huang Tingjian explicitly mentioned in his work “The Ten Virtues of Fragrance” that “it can induce sleep.” The fundamental reason lies in the effects of fragrant products in replenishing vital energy, strengthening the body’s defenses against pathogens, harmonizing yin and yang, and soothing the mind and body.

What are the characteristics of incense for daily use?

Among traditional incense products, incense for daily use is the most diverse, encompassing categories such as pest control and evil-repelling, health and wellness, study and music rooms, and refined leisure and enjoyment. In terms of scent, some preserve the original fragrance of the incense, while others emphasize specific fragrance families such as sandalwood, floral, or fruity notes. There are also custom blends tailored to individual preferences. In essence, incense for daily use mirrors the vibrant tapestry of life, offering a diverse array of scents that defy categorization.

Are single-item fragrances suitable for home use?

Single-ingredient incense was rarely used in ancient times, as prolonged use of a single incense ingredient is detrimental to health. No matter how expensive the incense ingredient may be, it is not suitable for burning alone. In special circumstances where single-ingredient incense must be chosen, one must consider the purity and origin of the incense ingredients, as well as the naturalness of any binders, additives, or dyes used. If the incense contains chemical binders, chemical dyes, or unclean wood powder, it can also be harmful to health.

How to choose home incense ?

When selecting home fragrances, the first consideration should be whether the product is healthy. It is best to choose traditional natural herbal fragrances. Fragrance selection can be approached from the following angles:

(1) If you choose convenient and practical incense products for daily use, coil incense is the best choice. First, coil incense burns for a long time, and using a covered incense burner can reduce the amount of smoke particles in the incense smoke, which is more beneficial to health.

(2) If you choose incense sticks, it is best not to choose stick incense in dry northern regions, as stick incense has better medicinal properties. In humid coastal and southern regions, stick incense should be chosen.

(3) Depending on different needs, you can choose incense products with different functions, such as those that strengthen the body and promote yang energy, those that ward off epidemics and prevent disease, and those that aid in reading and studying.

(4) Based on your preferences for fragrance and aroma, you can choose incense products with different fragrance characteristics or styles. For example, you can choose Han Dynasty incense products with a broad and generous aroma, or Tang Dynasty incense products with a luxurious and elegant aroma, according to the characteristics of different eras.

(5) Those who enjoy incense can also choose traditional incense products such as incense sticks, incense balls, tooth incense, and seal incense.

(6) For health and wellness purposes, you can also wear fragrances and use scented pillows and other bedroom fragrances.

Why are chemical fragrances harmful to human health? What are the harmful ingredients?

Modern chemical incense, also known as artisanal incense, is an incense craft made using chemical fragrances as aromatic agents, chemical adhesives as binders, chemical dyes for coloring, and potassium nitrate as a combustion aid. The fragrances are formulated using chemical benzene, while the chemical adhesives and dyes contain formaldehyde. Potassium nitrate constitutes a significant component in incense crafts containing large amounts of stone powder, and upon combustion, it produces xylene. When used in poorly ventilated indoor environments or in excessive quantities, these incense products are easily absorbed by the human body. Frequent use can harm meridian blood circulation, block pores, impair skin respiration, and be detrimental to physical and mental health. Long-term use may even cause functional abnormalities and lead to severe consequences.

How do traditional aromatic medicines relate to modern life?

Human beings’ preference for fragrances is an innate trait, much like “butterflies being drawn to flowers and trees reaching toward the sun.” Throughout human history, people have never ceased their quest for fragrance, leaving behind vivid tales of ancestors who cherished, loved, and used fragrance—such as Emperor Wu of Han’s “praying for fragrance to return the soul,” Cao Cao’s “selling fragrance at exhibitions,” Xun Ling’s “leaving fragrance,” and Han Shou’s “stealing fragrance.” These stories illustrate how fragrance was used to express emotions, clarify intentions, and permeate daily life. The fragrance endures for generations, its aroma unchanged.

Aromatic herbs are a precious gift from nature to humanity. Currently, over 3,000 species of aromatic plants are known worldwide, with over 400 species possessing significant development potential. These aromatic plants are not only fragrant and pleasant to the senses but also offer health benefits such as aromatic opening of the orifices, aromatic transformation of dampness, and strengthening the body while expelling pathogens. They grow in a wide range of regions and are abundant in resources. If we can carefully study the historical treasure trove, scientifically draw upon and adapt its aspects suitable for modern life, and apply them correctly, it will undoubtedly play a new role in preventing diseases before they occur, promoting health and wellness, creating a healthy living environment, and alleviating work-related stress for modern people.

Traditional incense-burning practices and philosophies are the culmination of our ancestors’ practical experience and wisdom. Over the centuries, these practices have proven their value in promoting a healthy lifestyle. Ancient methods such as burning incense, wearing incense, consuming incense, and using incense in architecture may play an irreplaceable role in addressing today’s various forms of pollution. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Academy of Agricultural Sciences have conducted numerous experiments that have confirmed this fact. Practical experience has also shown that using aromatic herbs such as cloves, cardamom, and cinnamon to process meat for a certain period of time not only enhances its flavor but also removes most of the chemical residues. This further illustrates that, when used correctly, incense can offer modern humans benefits that surpass those of any previous era.