Fragrant bamboo sticks: taboos for burning incense and worshiping gods

2025-10-21 143

1. There is also a folk tradition of burning incense, which means that when burning incense, the left foot should be used to enter the house first, and cannot be recalled. Recalling it will briefly lead to evil.
2. When picking incense, it is advisable to keep your left hand outside and your right hand inside. Due to the fact that the left hand is a clean hand and the right hand handles all kinds of things, it is like using good to cover evil.
When praying, with a single thought of tranquility, the qi of the five organs and six viscera rises straight for three days without any obstruction. Raising incense with both hands flat to the chest is called 'Heart Fragrance', and the incense head is high between the eyebrows, which is the position of 'Xuanguan Qiao', called 'Knocking at the Heavenly Pass'. The wish that follows the cigarette straight up nine layers is called 'Tongtian', and inserted into the incense burner filled with rice ash is called 'Dadi'. It refers to the desire of a fragrant heart to knock directly at the Heavenly Pass, ascend nine levels, and reach the heavens and earth, in order to spread incense and messages.
4. Worshiping gods and ghosts, burning incense is also different. Respecting gods is a yang ritual, so odd numbers are revered. Burning incense is often done in one or three sticks, while worshiping ghosts is a yin ritual. Even numbers are often used, and burning incense is done in pairs.

5. Respect the gods and burn incense, and each has its own meaning (full of odd numbers):

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a. Burning a stick of incense represents concentration, symbolizing devotion and focus towards the Tao.
b. Burning three incense sticks, one represents the conversion to the Three Pure Ones and Three Treasures, and the other represents the Three Realms of Heaven, Earth, Man, and Talent.
c. Burning five sticks of incense, resembling the five directions of light, represents the call to the east, south, west, north, and central directions, often used for seeking wealth and finding people.
d. Burning seven sticks of incense, symbolizing the dou, represents the seven stars of dou, and is often used to prolong life and dispel disasters.
6. When An Xiang is in the furnace, insert incense with his left hand.
7. Finally, before burning incense, remember to wash your hands and be sincere and respectful to the gods.
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