Chinese Incense Culture · Incense in the Three Teachings
Taoist Incense Use and Zhai Jiao Rituals
Taoism regards incense as a medium for "communicating with the true," and in zhai jiao rituals and talismanic memorials, incense is burned to reach the heavenly ears.
Taoism views incense as a medium for communication between humans and deities—as the saying goes, "incense carries the message and can reach the heavenly ears."
Basic Etiquette
- Three Sticks of Incense: Commonly three sticks are burned to pay respects to the Three Pure Ones—Yuqing, Shangqing, and Taiqing.
- Jiangzhen Xiang: The most important incense in Taoism; it is said that "jiangzhen" can draw immortals to descend, making it the sacred incense of zhai jiao rituals.
- Zhai Jiao: When establishing a jiao and performing rites, incense is the opening and the thread running throughout, accompanied by talismans, incantations, and step patterns (bugang).
Uses of Incense
Beyond worshipping deities, Daoism also uses incense for health preservation (aromatic avoidance of filth, promoting qi flow) and incorporates incense into medicine. Its principle of "nurturing one's nature through incense" resonates withThe Ten Virtues of Incensethe meaning of cultivating the mind.