Jade Altar Piece (For Incense)

Jade Altar Piece (For Incense)

Rites & Ceremonies

Incense in China, known as Xiang are used in Chinese traditional cultures and religions for ceremonies, ancestral venerations, aromatherapy and for daily use. Incense is held in censers or incense burners that usually have spiritual and religious connotations. Incense and incense holders most likely erupted during the Zhou Dynasty and have continued to be a common cultural ritual in China and beyond. 

Check out the High Library for more information. 

Check out how incense is used in traditional Chinese religion. 

Sources: 
Gina Hyams and Susie Cushner, Incense: Rituals, Mystery, Lore (San Francisco: Chronicle Books, 2004).

Elizabethtown College (Elizabethtown, Pennsylvania, USA)

Dr. William V. Puffenberger

Elizabethtown College retains all intellectual property rights to this image including, but not limited to, digital rights and any derivative works. For permission for reproduction, please contact the College’s Administrative Assistant for Humanities.

A solid jade piece, decoratively carved with guard dogs and shallow holders for the incense sticks to be held.

4.5 in X 4 in (11.4 cm X 10.2 cm)

Physical Object

Puffenberger #42

China