Material: Copper. Gold-plated. Copper wire for suspension

Size: 12 x 15 (height)

Narrative:

In Tibetan Buddhism, incense burners have profound religious and cultural significance and are inseparable from the ritual of offering incense. The following are the symbolic meanings of the incense burner and its historical origins:

**The symbolic meaning of the incense burner**

1. **Purify the space**: Burning incense can dispel negative energy, create a pure practice environment, and make the practice of Buddhism more focused.

2. **Offering to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas**: The incense burning in the incense burner is seen as a way of offering to the Buddhas, Bodhisattvas and guardian gods, symbolizing respect and piety for the sacred beings.

3. **Purify the body and mind**: Tibetan Buddhism believes that aroma can not only purify the external space, but also calm the mind of the practitioner, making him more focused on meditation and practice.

4. **Conveying prayers**: The rising smoke symbolizes the believers’ prayers rising to the heaven along with the incense, conveyed to the Buddhas and Bodhisattvas, seeking protection and blessings.

**History and Origin of Incense Burner**

The use of incense burners was influenced by Indian Buddhism and local Bon religion during the development of Tibetan Buddhism:

- **Influence of Indian Buddhism**: In the offering rituals of early Indian Buddhism, the use of spices was an important form of offering. After this custom was introduced to Tibet, it was combined with local traditions to develop a unique form of incense burner.

- **Bon influence**: In the native Tibetan religion of Bon, there is also a custom of burning fragrant herbs and medicinal herbs to worship gods and pray for blessings. This practice has been integrated into Buddhist practice.

- **Tibetan Temple Heritage**: With the establishment of Tibetan Buddhist temples, incense burners gradually became an indispensable item in the temples' practice and ceremonies, and various styles of incense burners were formed according to the styles of different sects, such as bronze incense burners, clay incense burners, and incense burners inlaid with gold and silver.

In Tibetan Buddhist temples, incense burners are usually placed in front of the temple or hall, and monks or practitioners offer incense every day to show their respect for Buddhism and their concentration on practice.