Burning of Incense Sticks

Incense burning is seen in many places as having religious significance as well as a way of purification. This rite has been around for hundreds of years and has continued till today. Incense burning is release of aromatic fumes or odors by burning certain materials. While some burn incense for medicinal purpose, it can also be done for purely aesthetic value.

The influence of underlying cultures and cultural diversities has however changed the reasons for burning incense in recent years. Whatever the reason for incense burning, the practice has become popular in recent years.

Incense burning today is very diverse with many materials being used. Oils, solids and other things that have a fragrance are being used. The large diversity means the need for appropriate incense burners is necessary. A solid can be held on the same incense burner as a liquid, like frankincense.

When it comes to liquid aromatics, these substances must have special incense burners to hold the essential oils. In most cases, a base that is extracted from charcoal powder is added to the liquid fragrances and is used as a base. Cheaper fragrances have been used as incense and they are derived from chemical synthesis. These fragrances require special incense burners to hold them during the burning process.

Incense classification can take many forms. In most cases, the mode and degree of incense burning is used. The 2 groups commonly used are indirect and direct burning. In indirect burning, charcoal or burning embers provide the heat source. Frankincense is one of the materials that is indirectly burnt as well as myrrh. In Europe, Frankincense is used to signify any aromatic substance that is burnt on an incense burner. During burning, frankincense is placed on coal embers in its unprocessed state on the incense burner and let to burn.

In case of direct burning, the substance is supplied with an initial heat source. After that it is placed on an incense burner and allowed to smolder until it is all gone. This means that it has to be made of finely grounded particles of highly flammable substance and be placed or suspended on the appropriate incense burner. For effective direct burning, the material composition is crucial so that it provides the required fragrance as well as have it burn evenly.

Some common direct burning types of incense are coils that burn for extended periods by placing them on a suspended incense burner, cones, cored sticks that have a supporting bamboo core as the incense burner, solid sticks, incense blanks and loose powder. Loose powder is usually placed on wood ash and special censers are used as the incense burners. In direct burning, the above incense forms usually have to be pressed or coated under a supporting material.

Incense burners and holders come in all shapes and sizes. They can be categorized on their representation as well as their use. Incense burners representing mythical creatures like dragons and mermaids are common. Others are representations of mythical gods and ancient fairytale creatures. A search online will show up a good number of these burners together with the pictures.