What is your favorite incense? With hundreds or even thousands of incense out there, what made you choose that specific incense? Different people burn incense for different reasons. Which one are you?
Some use it to simply freshen up the room and make it smell nicer. Others use it as part of their ceremonies, rituals, and meditations. In fact, incense has been used in many different cultures and religions all over the world. Then there are also those who use it to simply help them relax or be more grounded.
Did you know that all those scents aren’t just created to provide variety? The different incense scents and blends were created for specific purposes. Some of them improve concentration, repel insects, attract luck, promote tranquility, and many others. Of course, different societies, religions, and people attach different meanings to incense, but we’ve tried our best to hit on the most significant Incense Meanings in this article.
If you want to learn more about which incense is best to use for specific reasons, you’ve come to the right post. Below is a comprehensive list of the most popular incenses, their meanings, and uses.
Incense Meanings and Uses
In this section, we’ll look at the various types of incense, and common meanings ascribed to them.
7 African Powers
Using this Seven African Powers incense () is meant to call upon the power of the 7 African Orishas.
7 African Powers Incense Meaning: It is used to attract luck, money, love, power, and protection.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Amber
Amber incense comes in various forms like the pure Amber Resin Solid shown below or you may also opt for those in stick form, like those from Nippon Kodo shown below.
Amber Incense Meaning: it’s commonly used as part of rituals or meditation as it is related to history and knowledge. Some use it while performing past life regression.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Bergamot
This incense has a citrusy scent that can bring forth a more calming atmosphere. It can be a good choice for those who want to alleviate depression.
Bergamot Incense Meaning: The bergamot incense is also used to attract prosperity and good fortune.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cannabis
Cannabis sticks aren’t intoxicating and are not considered illegal drugs. They have a grassy aroma and a slightly spicy scent.
Cannabis Incense Meaning: Due to their relaxing effect, they can help soothe the mind so they are also great for those with anxiety.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cedarwood
The Morning Star Cedarwood incense has a slightly masculine, woody, and rich fragrance.
Cedarwood Incense Meaning: Like other woody scents, it has a calming property as well. That’s why it is also great for fighting depression, preventing nightmares, or reducing aggression. It is also mostly used in purification practices and for protection practices as well. The scent is related to strength and power too.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Chamomile
As far back as the ancient Egyptians, Chamomile has already been used for its aromatherapy properties. It has a sweet, herby scent that helps with relaxation providing a more peaceful and serene atmosphere.
Chamomile Incense Meaning: This incense is great to use when you feel overwhelmed and simply want to ground yourself or relax.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Cinnamon
HEM Incense Cones (one of our favorite brands of incense) have this scent and cinnamon has a warm and spicy odor.
Cinnamon Incense Meaning: This scent can be used to raise energy including sexual energy. It is a good choice to burn during sex but it can also be used to attract power.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Citronella
They also come as incense sticks like these from HEM shown below. They have a relaxing citrusy scent and they are great for outdoor use as well.
Citronella IncenseMeaning and Use: Citronella is a plant that is known as a natural insect repellant, especially against mosquitoes.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Clove
Clove is a popular spice and can also be used as an incense scent like these made by HEM shown below. It has an energetic and spicy scent that helps uplift your mood to counter the negativity.
Clove Incense Meaning: It can help improve memory and focus. Plus, it can also help attract wealth and prosperity.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Coconut
Helping the brain to get into a state of more calmness, coconut-scented incenses like these from Gonesh can be used to reduce stress.
Coconut Incense Meaning: It is also used with prayers and invocations by other people for protection and purification purposes.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Eucalyptus
Eucalyptus incense, like these from Jabou Amerindian, are great for meditation, yoga, and relaxation.
Eucalyptus Incense Meaning and Use: It has a refreshing aroma and can also be useful as an antiseptic. It helps improve breathing and can be used to aid in respiratory ailments.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Frankincense
Shoyeido has incense in this scent and they have the characteristic sweet but earthy aroma. This incense is helpful in calming the nervous system and could be used to help improve mood, obtain tranquility as well as calmness.
Frankincense Incense Meaning: It is used in meditation as well as religious rituals. Some also use it for its purification properties and for attracting good luck. Note that it can often be best to burn frankincense in an electric resin burner. See our article on how to burn frankincense without charcoal for further information.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Green Tea
To keep your home smelling fresh, green tea incense, like those from Jittoku-KOH, can be used. They are known as a great disinfectant so it can help remove viruses and bacteria.
Green Tea Incense Meaning: It is also useful for improving memory, alleviating fatigue, and increasing alertness.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Jasmine
Jasmine incense is known for its sweet scent. It is great for calming and relaxation. Many use this to aid in their sleep as they burn one before going to bed.
Jasmine Incense Meaning: This sweet floral scent is associated with love. However, it is more associated with general love and not the sexual kind.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lavender
Lavender has a combination of a herby fragrance with powdery floral notes. Depending on the source, it may feel soothing or invigorating when used.
Lavender Incense Meaning: This incense is known to be calming and stress-reducing. It helps with relaxation and sleep so you’d feel well-rested and refreshed once you wake up.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lemongrass
Lemongrass incense is another scent that is refreshing and invigorating.
Lemongrass Incense Meaning and Use: It helps lift and brighten mood so you can use it whenever you are feeling down. It also helps improve mental clarity so you can use it while studying.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Lotus
The lotus incense has a fresh and exotic scent and is also capable of improving mood.
Lotus Incense Meaning: it is great for those who wish to have mental clarity or better focus so it is usually used for meditation.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Musk
This scent is characteristic of a masculine scent and could remind you of an old man’s cologne. It helps in restoring balance and realigning your energies.
Musk Incense Meaning: You can use the HEM Precious Musk incense when you feel like you are clumsier than usual, when you can’t seem to sit still and focus or when it feels like things don’t just get in your way.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Myrrh
Myrrh is an incense that is also available in resin form, like these ones by Govinda. This is commonly used in places of worship and combined with frankincense.
Myrrh Incense Meaning: It is useful with purification practices and helps with the nervous system. It helps with calming and grounding.
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Nag Champa
It is a popular blend that originated in India and is now being used worldwide. The scent is described as soothing and is a blend of various products.
Nag Champa Incense Meaning: This can be used for meditation as it helps relax the mind. It is also used for spiritual awareness, reducing stress, and inducing a peaceful atmosphere.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Patchouli
Patchouli is an incense scent that’s described as having a dark earthy aroma. Some also say that it has a warm and exotic scent that helps with opening up the senses. These HEM Patchoili sticks are among our favorite incense sticks.
Patchouli Incense Meaning: It is an incense of choice when you are looking for something that can help with mental clarity or sexual anxiety.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Rose
Rose Incense has a really lovely floral and sweet elegant scent that improves the overall atmosphere of your room.
Rose Incense Meaning: Rose incense, like those by Raajsee shown below, is usually related to romance, and many use it to attract love. This is also great for improving focus, which is why many use it for meditation as well.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Sandalwood
This incense is offered by many brands including Nippon Kodo. It has a woody aroma and is known for its healing properties.
Sandalwood Incense Meaning: People use it widely to help with grounding and to counter anxiety and depression. It successfully does this by helping the mind to calm down and the third eye to open.
Sandalwood is one of the most common incense scents, and is frequently found in both stick and cone form.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Vanilla
Vanilla incense is very popular due to its delightful smell. It is similar to the scent of the extract but isn’t as strong and overpowering.
Vanilla Incense Meaning: Vanilla is great for enhancing memory, promoting mental alertness, and calming the mind.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Ylang-Ylang
The Ylang-ylang incense has a spicy and floral sweet scent. Some love the scent, while others are rather turned off by it. It is usually selected by those who also love Jasmine incense.
Ylang-Ylang Incense Meaning: It is used to help with soothing anger due to frustrations, and is also great for alleviating stress.
Last update on 2024-04-23 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
Conclusion
We hope this list of incense meanings and uses has given you some context to help you find the right incense scents for your needs and environment.
