The Do’s and Don’ts of Ancestral Worship: Uncovering the Reason Behind the Evening Incense Restriction

What is the Significance of Burning Incense?

The first step in performing a spiritual ritual is to light incense, which is known as “offering incense.” Once the incense is lit, the ceremony begins. For Vietnamese people, the fragrance of the incense represents the sincerity of the host or the person conducting the ritual towards the deities and ancestors. Incense creates a connection between the person offering the incense and the spiritual world; thus, no ceremony can begin without it.

Incense carries a sacred meaning and helps establish a link between humans and the spiritual realm, including our ancestors. Therefore, it is considered essential for any ritual. In some circumstances, even if there are no offerings, a stick of incense is enough to perform a simple ceremony. On the other hand, having offerings without incense is considered ineffective.

When offering incense, one should stand reverently with a respectful bow. Burning incense is a way to remember and honor our ancestors. Once the incense is lit, the ceremony officially starts. The host invites the ancestors and deities by lighting incense, creating a connection and conveying the host’s prayers to the spiritual realm.

The act of burning incense increases the surrounding area’s yin energy and invites souls to the ceremony. Therefore, burning incense in the evening can make the house’s yin energy heavier. Moreover, the scent of incense may attract wandering souls, ghosts, and hungry ghosts. Traditionally, it is believed that burning incense in the evening can create a sense of gloom and unease, even fear, for many people. Thus, it is customary to avoid burning incense at night to prevent an excess of yin energy and maintain a peaceful atmosphere.

Evenings are also a time for families to gather and rest, and the smoke and scent of incense can be disruptive and unpleasant, especially in enclosed spaces. Therefore, burning incense in the evening is considered unhealthy for both physical and spiritual well-being. Except for the New Year’s Eve ceremony, most people choose to burn incense during the daytime.

Other Things to Keep in Mind When Burning Incense

It is recommended to burn incense in the morning on the first and fifteenth day of the lunar month, avoiding doing so after 12 noon, as the strong yang energy during this time is not suitable for worship.

As incense represents the sincerity of the host, it is essential to choose high-quality incense made from pure and safe materials when offering it to the deities. Avoid incense with chemical additives that produce excessive smoke or those of poor quality that may become damp and moldy.

While incense is meant to connect us to the spiritual realm, it is important not to burn too much at once, as it can increase the risk of fire hazards and bring bad luck. Burning excessive incense can also create a stuffy atmosphere and negatively impact one’s health. When lighting incense, it is advisable to keep the main door of the altar open, unless there is a strong draft, in which case one can slightly ajar the door or use a screen. Additionally, it is recommended to burn incense in odd numbers, such as one, three, or five, with one or three being the most common practice.

When lighting incense, avoid using your mouth to blow out the flame, as it is considered disrespectful and unhygienic. Instead, use your hand to gently wave out the flame. Always store incense in a dry place to prevent dampness and breakage. At home, it is advisable to burn only stick or cone incense and avoid using incense coils, as these are reserved for temples and places of high spiritual practice. Burning incense coils at home can disturb the peace of the ancestors and bring negative energy and disharmony to the family.

This information is based on spiritual beliefs and personal experiences.