Burning incense is a practice that dates back thousands of years, bringing with it a rich history of spiritual, meditative, and even practical uses. Think of incense as the OG of aromatic rituals—way older than vapes and cooler than candles. The word “incense” itself comes from the Latin “incendere,” which means “to burn.” And us humans have been burning things to release their scents since we first discovered fire—archaeologists have even found ancient fire pits with cedarwood and berries tossed in, likely to create a nice aroma. (They probably just needed something to burn. Then the idea came. I could only imagine what they would burn when fire was first discovered.)
In the British Museum, there’s an incense burner that’s about 2,500 years old, discovered in modern-day Yemen. But the oldest known incense burner? That’s from around 5,000 years ago during Egypt’s Fifth Dynasty, where incense was so important it even had its own hieroglyph. By 600 AD, incense had spread across the globe. Incense has traveled across continents, from the bustling markets of ancient Mesopotamia and Egypt to the spiritual halls of temples in India and China. By 600 AD, incense had spread to Europe via the Incense Route, a trade network that carried these precious resins from the Arabian Peninsula to the Mediterranean and beyond.
Incense as we know it today—whether on a stick, cone, or even a coil—was first developed in ancient Egypt. Originally, it served two main purposes: keeping away bugs (you should try my lemongrass, cinnamon or rosemary incense) and bad smells and protecting against evil spirits (or at least keeping the gods happy with some sweet-smelling smoke). This was often combined with religious and meditative practices, making incense a staple in spiritual rituals.
In Japan, the use of incense became an art form called Kōdō, or “the way of incense,” where people didn’t just burn it—they appreciated it in a ceremonial setting, almost like a wine tasting but with scents. Even Samurai warriors would scent their helmets as a show of respect before heading into battle—a final gesture of honor and style, all in one.
How Incense Is Made: Dust, Sap, and a Little Magic
Making incense is essentially about mixing flammable dusts, fragrant resins, and binding them together on a stick or in a cone. A typical incense stick contains a blend of wood powder or charcoal (to keep it burning), fragrant resins like sandalwood or essential oils, and sometimes a natural or synthetic binder to hold it all together. Fun fact: A town in Vietnam produces around 50,000 vibrant pink incense sticks a day in preparation for Tết Nguyên Đán, the Vietnamese Lunar New Year.
Why Burn Incense Today?
These days, incense still serves many of the purposes it did centuries ago—repelling bugs, enhancing meditative practices, and of course, making spaces smell divine. Incense is also a handy tool for mindfulness: noticing the scent can pull you into the present moment, similar to hearing a bell or chime in a meditation class. That shift in awareness helps quiet the mind and let go of lingering thoughts.
While candles and essential oil diffusers have their perks, incense sticks are affordable, easy to use, and way less likely to set your room on fire than an unattended candle (though they might trigger a smoke alarm, so keep a window cracked!).
Choosing Your Scent: From Woody to Citrus Bliss
Incense comes in a wide range of fragrances, each with its own aromatherapeutic and spiritual qualities. Whether you’re drawn to sweet, woody scents or prefer something fresh and citrusy, there’s a stick out there that will perfectly suit your vibe. Not sure where to start? Give them a sniff and go with what makes you feel good.
Do You Need a Holder?
Technically, no! People have used everything from bowls of rice to small piles of ash to burn incense. But why stop there when you can add a little personality to your space? An incense holder isn’t just about keeping things tidy—it’s a fun way t o express your style while creating a mess-free, calming vibe. Plus, let’s be honest, it looks pretty awesome on your shelf.(Incense stick holders)
How to Light Your Incense
To light your incense, simply ignite the thicker end of a stick or the tip of a cone with a lighter or match. Let it catch for a few seconds before blowing out the flame, leaving it to smolder and release that beautiful smoke. Place your stick at a slight angle (around 45 degrees), and let the aroma do the rest.