Frankincense spiritual meaning originates from ancient times when it was considered a treasure and a gift of kings. Properly using this aromatic resin can soothe stress and heal the human mind, body, and soul. You can also enjoy its aroma when you need an emotional detox.
Even though frankincense’s first purpose is to be a part of religious ceremonies, you can use it in your home to create a pleasurable atmosphere. Besides, it can be an excellent support for your spiritual path and striving to enhance your spiritual practice.
Frankincense Spiritual Meanings
Frankincense is an aromatic resin with a rich history of use in Jewish, Arabic, and European medieval cultures. The Arabs considered it a gift from the gods and believed its divine fragrance could provide a place for believers in the spiritual realm.
According to Jewish tradition, frankincense was a precious substance people could use only for spiritual ceremonies. It was expensive and available only to the clergy and higher social classes.
People could enjoy its aroma in the temple while offering sacrifices to Jehovah. Remember that the Three Wise Men brought frankincense and myrrh to baby Jesus because of their divine powers. That made this aromatic resin a symbol of heavenly glory for Christians.
Ancient Egyptian culture also recognized frankincense’s benefits and appreciated it as a symbol of emotional and physical health and life itself. Besides, Egyptians used this aromatic resin in mummification to preserve the deceased’s soul and body for the afterlife.
In Islam, people use frankincense in their homes daily to purify and scent them. This resin also has its place during Eid celebrations and weddings, representing spirituality, purity, and praying.
Eastern traditions, like Buddhism and Hinduism, consider frankincense an unavoidable part of religious festivals. Its smoke bridges the gap between humans and the divine by carrying prayers to heaven.
Many African tribes include frankincense in their spiritual practices. They believe burning aromatic resin can cleanse space from negative energy, making it suitable for community gatherings.
1 Service to God
Sometimes, people feel the frankincense’s smell without a reasonable explanation. The spiritual meaning of such a thing is their cold attitude towards God’s will. Therefore, take it seriously if something like this happens to you, and pay attention to the voice of God inside your soul.
In Christian tradition, giving frankincense inspires people to live modest lives, increase their devotion, and serve God with all their hearts. Its fragrance is a calling sign from God and a blessing, meaning He wants your attention and dedication.
Even ancient nations knew the divine sides of frankincense and used it to increase their connection to the higher power. It encouraged them to elevate their minds, facilitated communication with God, and helped them pray.
2 Support praying
Every time you step into the church, you can smell frankincense or its aroma mixed with gorgeous myrrh. Their smell maintains mindfulness, supports sensations, and supports praying. It also provides peace and stimulates your awareness.
This specific fragrance encourages introspection and supports those who pray to look deeply into their souls. It is sometimes encouragement and incentive from the higher power to deepen people’s prayer, promising spiritual growth.
In some Greek monasteries, monks produce black frankincense, which is crucial for sacred ceremonies. It enhances their spiritual significance, while its smoke opens human hearts and summons divine blessings, intervention, and guidance.
3 Connecting with ancestors and protection
In some traditions, frankincense protects those who enjoy its aroma and allows them to connect with their ancestors. The best option is to use the black version because its specific fragrance makes this communication profound and effortless.
Frankincense smoke acts as a connection between the physical and spiritual worlds. In other words, it allows communication with spirit guides and the souls of your passed ancestors. Therefore, priests use this aromatic resin during Liturgies, Masses, and memorial services.
Some believe this aroma can signify that ancestors support their living descendants, offering help, advice, and comfort. Besides, frankincense protects you against evil influences, negative energy, witchcraft, and evil eyes.
Many African tribes believe that evil spirits emit foul odors, while frankincense fragrance is appealing and sweet. If you suspect evil spirits occupy your environment, burn frankincense to purify the atmosphere.
In some traditions, there is a habit of bathing the newborn baby with frankincense oil and keeping its powder near the child’s bed. That is an efficient way to protect them from the evil spirits and their ancestors’ sins.
4 Good luck and prosperity
The aroma of frankincense brings good luck and helps people pass through hard times as painlessly as possible. Some believe this smell indicates that God protects you and oversees your life.
So, smelling frankincense is a sign to expect happiness, mental stability, and soul peace. Every time you experience scarcity, hopelessness, and a challenging period, this sweet aroma brings hope that better things can happen quickly.
5 Confidence and mental agility
A specific woodsy aroma of frankincense can calm your mind, boost your confidence, and improve your mental agility by keeping negative emotions away. Using its fragrance is the best solution for delicate souls that need some incentive and encouragement.
Burning frankincense can help you build inner confidence and improve your self-image. Besides, meditation experts claim that the black variation stimulates the third eye chakra, enhancing intuition and clairsentience.
6 Unity, wisdom, and devotion
Many traditions often associate frankincense with unity, reminding people how crucial community is. Besides, its aroma significantly increases devotion and collective spiritual experiences, encouraging praying.
That way, this aromatic resin fosters wisdom, promotes devotion to God and the people in your life and enhances spiritual practice. It also symbolizes sacrifice in some religious rituals, highlighting its importance for spiritual growth and knowledge passed through generations.
7 Mindfulness, inner peace, and reflection
Beyond significant spiritual benefits, black frankincense also helps believers find their inner peace and cultivate mindfulness. Its unique aroma can help you become focused on the present, freeing you from the burden of the past and the fear of the future.
This sacred resin is highly powerful and can offer unexpected spiritual experiences, enhance spiritual awareness, and allow deep reflection and insight. You can use it whenever you find yourself lost on your spiritual journey and crave help.
Burn frankincense when you feel tired and overwhelmed, take your time, find some peace in the middle of the chaos, and enjoy the moment. Such a pause can help you reach a better and deeper connection with your inner thoughts and spiritual aspects of your life.
8 Cleansing and balance
Frankincense is an ideal option for cleaning your mind, soul, and body. Its aroma is an excellent energy cleanser, making your home balanced and free of negative energy.
You can notice that Christian priests and monks use this aromatic resin to cleanse energy inside churches and monasteries. In addition to its physical cleaning properties, this aroma provides harmony, a balanced mind, relaxation, and a sense of comfort among praying people.
Similarly, you can burn frankincense in your home to cleanse it from negative energy and make it a positive space for living. That is particularly helpful for inhabitants who have passed through suffering, experienced stress, or withstood arguing recently.
9 Help with sleep
Frankincense’s aroma provides calmness, tranquility, and sound sleep, among other benefits. Burn this aromatic resin or use its oil when struggling with sleeplessness and nightmares.
Its fragrance provides a soothing feeling, comfort, and relaxation, causing your soul to feel comfortable and refreshed. As a result, you can expect to sleep better as soon as your mind becomes peaceful.
Besides, frankincense’s supernatural power can prevent nightmares and eliminate existing ones. Its sweet aroma fills dreams with positivity, blessing, and goodness. Therefore, it is a substance of choice when your kid has such a problem.
10 Emotional healing
You can use frankincense for emotional detox after experiencing hard times. This aromatic resin binds brokenhearted people, helping them heal emotional trauma.
You can burn it to forget suffering, alleviate feelings of fear, and strengthen your spirituality. In many cultures, frankincense is a cure for low self-esteem and weakens mental resilience. Besides, its aroma enhances human mood by reducing negative emotions.
Thanks to its ability to help people fight against despair, anger, anxiety, and depression, frankincense leads to relaxation and a clear state of mind. Its calm, purifying, and balancing properties help relieve stress and complement treatments for many mental issues.
11 Physical healing
Believe it or not, frankincense can also heal the human body, in addition to the mind. Numerous scientific studies have shown that it helps increase skin elasticity and cure several diseases, including inflammation, asthma, sore throat, and tooth problems.
Its aroma eliminates microorganisms by applying the essential oil or burning the resin. Chinese practitioners have used these methods for centuries in purification ceremonies.
You can apply frankincense on scratches, cuts, and wounds. It also accelerates bruising healing and scar disappearance, eliminates stretch marks, and removes dark spots from the skin. Besides reducing pain caused by chemotherapy, diabetes, and neuropathy, it can smooth wrinkles and reduce signs of aging.
