Jingxiang

<h2 id="number-and-meanings-of-incense">Number and meanings of incense</h2>
<p>The number of joss stick varies, usually three or five, or less commonly, nine.  The ancient Chinese consider that even numbers are associated with <i><a href="/facts/Yin_and_yang/b0YQXM7U">yin</a></i>, and odd numbers are associated with <i><a href="/facts/Yin_and_yang/b0YQXM7U">yang</a></i>. Because <i>yang</i> represents positive and auspicious things, odd numbers like three, five and nine are preferred in many rituals.
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<h2 id="sandalwood-joss">Sandalwood joss</h2>
<p>The scent of the joss sticks is believed to calm the human spirit and good for health because the key ingredients of joss sticks are made up of various herbs. The same effect is believed to affect the spirit of a deceased ancestor.  In this connection it also serves as a prayer to the deity that an adherent is worshipping. It is also considered a form of spiritual nourishment to the spirits in <a href="/facts/Taoism/Bk79rd9J">Taoism</a> and <a href="/facts/Chinese_folk_religion/5D15uYoQ">Chinese folk religion</a>.
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<h2 id="other-offerings">Other offerings</h2>
<p>Usually jingxiang is done with an offering of Chinese tea, in a number corresponding to the gods, typically three cups.  Fruits and various offerings are generally presented when conducting Jingxiang, however the specification differs for different temples or deities.
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<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/Chinese_folk_religion/5D15uYoQ">Chinese folk religion</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Chinese_ancestral_worship/tBYpyI3G">Chinese ancestral worship</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Chinese_Buddhism/k9EN28cK">Chinese Buddhism</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Chinese_ritual_mastery_traditions/r94lvsU4">Chinese ritual mastery traditions</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Taoism/Bk79rd9J">Taoism</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Chinese_temples/KxKkpx03">Chinese temples</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Ancestral_shrine/UbvwtA6S">Ancestral shrine</a> & <a href="/facts/Ancestral_tablets/nPkIgVIx">Ancestral tablets</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Fenxiang/5kFdFWJk">Fenxiang</a> (分香)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Fulu/Dc5krPc8">Fulu</a> (符籙)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Jiaobei/phHoRyTz">Jiaobei</a> (筊杯)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Kau_Cim/F7F4b38G">Kau Cim</a> (求籤)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Miaohui/Lt34he3o">Miaohui</a> (廟會)</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Zhizha/mjoujKVG">Zhizha</a> (紙紮)</li></ul>
<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20080228001641/http://www.taoism.org.hk/religious-activites%26rituals/taoist-folk-customs/pg5-12-1.htm">Baishen from Daoist Information Centre</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.roots.gov.sg/en/ich-landing/ich/making-of-joss-sticks">Making of Joss Sticks - INTANGIBLE CULTURAL HERITAGE</a></li></ul>

Jingxiang open-in-new

Jingxiang