History, Culture

《国韵·香文化》张金发
Chinese Incense Culture: The Rhyme of a Nation

Introduction:
Co-authored by Zhang Jinfu (Vice President, Chinese Traditional Culture Promotion Association) and Huang Ou (National Intangible Heritage Representative Inheritor of Traditional Incense-Making Techniques – Guanxiang Craftsmanship), this work unveils Chinese incense culture’s trinity of historical dimensions: imperial reverence for heaven and earth through ritual ceremonies, literati’s scholarly research through textual engagements, and civilian practices encompassing worship routines and domestic customs.
As dynasties unfolded, incense culture dynamically absorbed each era’s prevailing ethos and intellectual frameworks, shaping distinctive fragrance aesthetics and ceremonial expressions. Modern transformations are equally documented: non-legacy agarwood (Guanxiang) revitalizes ancient traditions through contemporary applications. The holistic advancement of culturally immersive spaces in incense civilization achieves seamless integration between heritage and modern lifestyles, enabling this aromatic tradition to radiate the distinctive brilliance of our age.
About the Author：
Zhang Jinfu, vice President of Chinese Traditional Culture Promotion Association
Huang Ou, National Intangible Heritage Representative Inheritor of Traditional
Incense-Making Techniques – Guanxiang Craftsmanship.