香爐

The incense vessel is used for holding incense that is burnt as an offering to Buddhist deities. Incense vessels can be made from different materials such as various types of metals or alloys, jade, porcelain, clay and stone. There exist various shapes and forms to the incense vessel but the most basic and commonly seen are those that are containers with a circular mouth. They may be flat-bottomed or be supported by three legs. Straight incense sticks are inserted vertically into ash or rice contained in the vessel. Another type is the lying incense vessel which is oblong and round at both ends. It is also filled with ash and incense sticks are placed into the vessel in a lying horizontal position. This type of incense vessel also can have a lid with several openings through which the incense fumes can escape.

 There are also incense vessels with special covers or lids that are used for burning wooden incense pieces. After pieces of incense wood are placed into the vessel along with incense powder that is then lit, the cover or lid is placed on top of the vessel and the incense smoke rises slowly through the many openings in the lid. The holes in the lid can be of various shapes and the lid may be mounted by an auspicious animal such as a lion or dragon. As clouds of gentle fragrance rise slowly through the lid and permeate the air, the environment becomes conducive to relaxation and contemplation and can induce feelings or sincere piety and devotion.

Lastly, there exist very large incense vessels that are found in front of temples in traditional monasteries. These huge incense vessels usually have a pagoda-like roof and are supported by three legs. Twin dragons may flank the sides of the huge incense vessel and auspicious symbols and writing may be a part of its design. These huge incense vessels are placed just outside the main temple hall and are called treasure cauldrons in Chinese.