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Incense Sticks
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Incense Burner |
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As the name suggests incense burner is an object that is used to
burn incenses. It is also known as censer or incense holder.
Burning incense leads to dropping of ash and incense holder
offers a fine way to collect that cinders. The main function of
incense holder is to provide a tray to catch the ashes the
incense sticks or cones drop as they burn. These holders
facilitate burning of incense and also easy clean up afterwards.
Variety of incense holders are used for different types of
incenses, like boat and tree holder for sticks, bowl and dish
holder for cones, etc. Incense holders are made in different
shapes, designs and material. Traditionally made in wood or
metal, they are now available in stone, glass, PVC, ceramic and
other unusual materials. Though comes in various shapes and
designs, typical incense holder has a hole drilled into it for
the incense stick to be placed and a plate to hold the ash. The
shape, design and decoration of incense holder is also
influenced by religious believes and traditions of particular
place like, in Chinese tradition lotus shaped |
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incense holders are more admired as they represent wisdom and
purity and believed to attract good fortune. Today incense
burners and holders are available in so much varied shapes,
metals and designs that they not only used for burning incenses
but also adored as a favored home décor object. Be it sleek and
simple or intricate and detailed, you can find an incense burner
to suit your decor. |
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Types of Incense Burners or Holders |
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Different incense burners are
required for burning different incense items, as sticks
need a burner with a hole to insert them while cones need
more flat burner to place the cone in right position.
Sticks are most commonly used incense thus the most common
incense burners are also stick burners. A stick burner may
be simple boat burner with single hole or an elaborated
dish or stand type burner with multiple holes for holding
many sticks at a time. The design and embellishment of the
incense burner is generally influenced by the religious
implication of the user. Simple earthenware, magnificently
designed silver or golden vessels - all serve as incense
burners. |
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Some commonly used types of incense burners are: |
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Ash Catcher or Boat burner
- It is
the most common stick incense holder. Usually made of wood it
is a long, flat wooden piece that curves up at one end. The
curved end has a small hole and the uncoated end of the bamboo
incense stick is placed in this hole. Apart from basic wooden
variety, these burners are also available in ceramic, glass,
stone, aluminum and bone. These burners may be plain or
ornately painted or inlaid with brass. |
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Tree shaped holder
- Such holders are usually wooden or
stone centerpieces with a series of holes drilled into the
top. This type of holder can hold several sticks at once in
nearly upright straight position. They require less space and
hold more incense than boat burner. |
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Box
– These holders are long boxes that can
be used for both containing as well as burning the sticks.
These are usually wooden boxes in which the stick is lit
inside the box and covered, smoke escapes from the gaps
provided in the lid. The box has a slit where the incense
stick can be placed. |
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Bowl
- Bowls are most simple yet perfect
incense burners. Made from clay, ceramic or any other material
bowls can be used for burning up sticks, cones, coils, or any
incense. These bowls need to be filled half way with sand,
for inserting sticks into them. |
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Censer
– Though the term censer is used
synonymously with incense burner, it is a type of incense
burner used in religious ceremonies. These are bowl or pod
shaped burners with chains to hang them from the
ceiling.Usually the bowl is filled with hot coal and the
incense is smoldered on that coals. Use of censer adds a
special meaning to rituals and marks a pleasant way to burn
incense. |
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Dish
– Dish is
also very commonly used incense burner. Made in different
shapes and materials, these dishes can be used for burning
sticks, cones, coils or any incense. The dish can be plain
with single hole in the centre for inserting stick or placing
cone. Dishes can also be designed with decorative patterns and
multiple holes for burning number of sticks together.
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Pod
– These
burners have distinguished globular body set on a high, narrow
foot. Made in metal, stone or wood these are very handy to
use. The upper body is usually detachable hence, it is easy to
clean the burner after use. Some pod shaped burners also small
plate attached at bottom to hold the incense cinders. These
burners can be simple or decorated with stones or inlay work.
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Pot
- Pot
shaped burners come in round, square or octagonal shape with
three or four legs. They may be designed with or without lid,
lid usually has many holes in which the sticks are placed.
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Figurative Burners
- Many figures are popularly used in
incense burners. Figurative burners are made with animal,
human or sacred figures. Gods and Goddesses are also popular
theme in such burners. These burners are used by people of
different religions with interest and faith, like laughing
Buddha from feung shui and Ganesha from Indian mythology are
quite popular in figurative artwork. |
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