Description
Incense is a mixture of aromatic organic substances that can be ignited and then releases a pleasant aroma. Frankincense also refers to the resin (olibanum) of the frankincense tree (Boswellia). The original meaning of the word "incense" is "holy smoke" (smoke for consecration). Incense has been used since at least 1700 BC, probably originally as incense. The purpose of an incense offering was to appease the gods. The scent and prayer ascend with the smoke. A practical use of incense was to dispel the odor of putrefaction. The blood and remains of the animals sacrificed by Jews were masked with the pungent scent of incense. In Europe, incense was and is primarily used in churches. Although the Jews still had to dispel the odor of the sacrifices, incense could be used to mask the odor of wealthy individuals buried in the church. The expression "rich stinker" may therefore have its origins here. Even at funerals and places of pilgrimage, where people had to travel from far away, the use of scent-disguising incense seems no coincidence. The resins and oils were unaffordable for ordinary people because they had to be imported from outside Europe. Furthermore, there was no culture of incense use outside the church. Since the 1960s, interest in Eastern cultures and religions has grown. In many countries, such as China, India, Tibet, and Japan, incense is widely used. In these countries, incense is as common as having flowers in the home or using soap or perfume in the Western world. With this interest, the import and use of Eastern incense also grew.
