The meaning of burning incenseBurning incense to the heavens had many meanings. On the one hand, it was a way to purify one's soul, as shown in the allusion of Zhao Yuedao burning incense to pray to heaven in the Song Dynasty. It was a kind of examination and cultivation of one's own moral character by the scholar-bureaucrats. On the other hand, it reflected a kind of reverence. For example, Zhao Yunfan of the Northern Song Dynasty must first put on his clothes and hat, burn incense and pray to the sky the night before. Those who dare not do so will not do it. They dare not do evil deeds that violate the law and discipline, or even ugly acts that deceive the world. This reflects the attitude of respecting Heaven, fearing people's words, keeping the bottom line and maintaining moral conduct. There were also people like Siyuan who burned incense to pray to the heavens. It was an expression of one's own achievements, hoping to reach the celestial heavens and gain recognition. In addition, from the perspective of divination, burning incense to pray to the heavens expressed a sincere heart. People believed that by praying in this way, they could receive the blessing of the gods and an effective response.
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The meaning of burning incense and worshippingBurning incense and praying was a way of doing things in rituals such as offering sacrifices and praying for blessings. In traditional customs, by lighting incense, one would respectfully and piously invite gods, ancestors, or other supernatural forces to worship, pray for their arrival, accept offerings, and give blessings. For example, in the tomb-sweeping ceremony during the Qingming Festival, by burning incense, one would invite the spirit of the tomb owner, the earth dragon god, and other gods to accept offerings and pray for blessings. There would also be similar acts of burning incense and praying in activities such as inviting the God of Wealth, inviting Bodhisattva, and worshipping ancestors in August.
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The meaning of burning incense and worshipping ancestorsBurning incense and worshipping ancestors had multiple meanings:
- In terms of incense inheritance, the descendants burned incense for their ancestors, reflecting that there were successors, and the clan name could be passed down from generation to generation. It was a nostalgia for the ancestors.
- In terms of transmitting information, the burning incense was surrounded by smoke and clouds, and it could reach everywhere. It was like a medium for transmitting information. It could establish a "communication premise" between relatives who were separated from each other. It was a beautiful spiritual sustenance for the living relatives.
- In terms of cultural traditions, this was an important part of the sacrificial ritual. It expressed respect for the ancestors, purified the soul, enlightened life, improved self-cultivation, eliminated disasters, and prayed for the ancestors to bless the family, business, health, and other good wishes.
- In terms of the number of incense sticks, the three incense sticks had different meanings. The first incense stick respected the heavens, hoping for good weather; the second incense stick respected the earth, hoping for a bumper harvest; and the third incense stick respected the ancestors, hoping that the ancestors would bless the family. At the same time, in the Taoist philosophy, the three were the origin of all things. Burning three incense sticks also represented reverence for all things in the world and the gods.
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Double Dragon Incense BurnerThe Double Dragon Incense Burner came in many different materials and styles. Some were made of porcelain, which was shaped like a cylinder, and there were two dragons playing with fire beads on the turbulent sea. Some were made of brass, which could be used as antique bronze ware collection and home decoration. They were Tibetan pattern fuming furnaces and were square. There was also the Southern Song Dynasty official kiln, which was a double-dragon-eared Gui-type cover furnace, Gui type, with yellow glaze on the whole body, covered with open pieces, and a pair of exquisite dragon ears embedded in the furnace body. There was also the Xuande double-dragon-eared copper incense burner during the reign of Emperor Xuanzong of Ming Dynasty.
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Spiritual refinement of the highest level. Comparable to invisible dragon.