Incense has been invented and used for a very long time, about 6,000 years ago. Yet the types of incense have varied widely since then, and making it remains straightforward. Incense is integral to every Vietnamese spiritual life, and the country has established long-standing traditional incense-making villages.
Types of Incense Alterations in Vietnam
There are many ways to categorize incense based on its smells, shapes, or ingredients. This article will divide incense into two main types according to the making process and usage: combustible incense and non-combustible incense.
Combustible incense (cone, stick, and coil incense):
This type of glue and combustible material are mixed to make the incense. This makes combustible incense burn slower and is easy to use. There are two forms of combustible incense: the straight stick and the spiral one. They are usually used for religious purposes; therefore, you can easily see them while getting around churches or temples in Vietnam.
Non-combustible incense (commonly known as loose incense)
It is less popular in Vietnam than the first one because of its more complex use.
How the Vietnamese Make Incense
Both kinds of incense are straightforward to make, and the process does not require much equipment. First, you need to determine whether you want to make combustible or non-combustible incense. Below are the tutorials for both.
How to make combustible incense
Ingredients:
- bamboo
- Bark powder is made from the O Duoc tree (a species similar to the Cinnamon tree). This tree grows in the southern provinces of Vietnam. Its bark has aromatic oil and can stick firmly like glue.
- wood powder that contains fragrances like Agarwood, Blackbutt, and Cinnamon
Firstly, split the incense sticks, which are usually made from bamboo. The bamboo should not be too young or too old. These bamboo trees are cut into small stripes, soaked in water, and dried in the sun. This step will make the incense stick burn easier. After that, these bamboo sticks are dyed red underneath to make them more eye-catching.
In the following step, grind the powder and wood powder to ensure they are smooth. This mixture will coat the outside of the bamboo sticks.
The last step in the production process is drying. This type of incense will be dried in the sun or air dried to reduce the amount of water vapor in them, ensuring they can be burnt easily.
How to make non-combustible incense (commonly called pellets or loose ingredients)
This one is simply a mixture of ingredients, such as herbs like lavender or wood powders. Depending on your reference, you can combine anything to bring out the smell that suits you best.
How the Vietnamese Use Incense
If you use a cone or stick incense, you need to light one end of the cone or stick, fan out the flame, and allow it to burn slowly. That is why this kind of incense is popular in Vietnamese religious rituals.
If you use loose incense, you must use specialized charcoal (not the type of charcoal used in BBQ) and a dish or bowl. First, carefully hold one end of the charcoal (you can use a utensil instead) and burn it on the other side. You will see the charcoal spark, and the flame will keep moving around the charcoal. Slowly set it in the center of the bowl or dish. After that, sprinkle the incense mixture directly on top of the charcoal, which will heat the materials and release their fragrance into the air. This type of incense was common in Vietnam to create a scent in the room, but it is no longer popular because its use is complicated.
The Meaning of Incense in Vietnam
According to archaeological documents, the liturgy, which involved burning incense for the ancestors and gods, appeared nearly 6,000 years ago.
Regarding religion, the Vietnamese believe that lighting incense bridges the visible world to the invisible world. Therefore, on the full moon day, death memorial, funeral, or Ghost Month, Vietnamese usually burn incense to remember and show respect for their ancestors while praying good things for their families. This is a cultural heritage that contributes to the preservation of values and national identity.
Moreover, burning incense for the dead at the funeral differs from burning incense for ancestors. According to Vietnamese folklore, the new mortal should be offered only 2 incense sticks since the soul still remains in our world. Thus, three days after death, 3 incense sticks are inscribed, meaning that the dead’s soul has also left.
In fact, each number of incense sticks has a specific meaning, such as:
- 1 incense stick: symbolizes the heart, often used when praying for peace or good business.
- 2 incense sticks: praying for the salvation of the dead; used in the mourning period until the funeral ends.
- 3 incense compressions: there are many ritual meanings, especially in Buddhism, which explains why three big centers are usually placed in the temple yard.
- 5 incense stickers: symbolize Kim-Moc-Thuy-Hoa-Tho. 5 elements of the Earth.
- 7 and 9 incense: praying for good things to happen.
However, 9 or 1 incense stick has the same meaning: sincerity. It also means impermanence, a vital lesson in Buddhism. Everything in life is temporary; the time of one life is as short as when the incense is burnt out.
The Use and Benefits of Using Incense in the Vietnamese Life
In addition to its spiritual use in ancestor worship, incense is used daily to purify the air, keep one’s spirit up, chase away insects, ease one’s mind during physical training (yoga), and practice meditation.
Additionally, the soothing fragrance of incense might positively affect our health, such as easing headaches and relieving eye strain.
Summary of the Vietnamese of How to Make Incense
Incense is commonly used in religious sites such as churches or temples because of its spiritual meaning, which is deeply rooted in Vietnamese culture and superstitions. However, incense is used in healing therapies nowadays thanks to its refreshing aroma and inexpensive cost.
Since incense has a sophisticated smell, some people think the process of making it might be complex; however, it is easy to use and extremely simple to make. There are several types of incense packaging and scents from which to choose.