Incense, Cones and Incense Burners

About Incense, Cones & Aromatics

Our sense of smell is perhaps our least developed sense, yet it is a very powerful one. Who hasn't had the experience of being spontaneously drawn back to a person, place or event in our past by an unexpected aroma?

Aromatics have been used since ancient times in rituals where they were heated to release their fragrance. Incense has existed since the beginning of human history. The pursuit of aromatics created much trade between Egypt, Greece and Rome and the Orient, where most of the aromatic trees grew. Great wealth was created. Aromatics were used in funeral rites, for pleasure, healing and as aphrodesiacs.

Many famous historical figures are known to have been enthusiastic users of incense and aromatics. The Macedonian king Alexander the Great was an avid collector of aromatics and his search for exotic aromas pushed him further east to Greece and Persia. King Ashoka, the benevolent king of India, is said to have been cured of a deathly illness by the smell of storax incense. China has many legends of concubines who brought the object of their affection more completely under their spell with the use of heady aromatic oils and scents.

In Asia, incense is primarily used for religious purposes, during worship, prayer or meditation. Hindus, Buddhists and Moslems all use incense in their rituals, as do Catholics and Hebrews (for some reason, Protestants gave it up). Unconsciously we associate certain smells with certain states of mind. As incense is associated with peace and contemplation, it is advantagious to burn incense during meditation.

We are pleased to offer a collection of incenses from Tibet, Nepal, India and the Native American tradition, as well as an assortment of wood, metal and glass incense holders in which to burn them.