Where does the incense burner belong?

In Handan city, Hebei province, three legs burned to the stomach, and a pavilion was built on it, and three legs were set up below. This kind of object is very strange. Above it is a pavilion with a tile roof and below it are three legs with a round belly. (Wang Jianan Photography)

There is a Monkey King Temple built on the tomb of Tian Zi in Wujiang Town, Cixian County, Handan City, Hebei Province. In the temple, there is a banner dedicated to Qi Tianshengda by villagers in Xiyaotou, Cixian County. The book says, "Give the Great Sage Hall in Qitian: Fight evil spirits and show great demons."

On the east side of the Jade Emperor Hall at the top of Tian Zi's tomb, there is a tripod incense burner. This burner is a pagoda with two ears, and the top is covered with a gourd. There are four dragons around to guard the treasure gourd. There are three pillars under the treasure gourd, and there is a pavilion on the treasure gourd. There is a riddle about incense burner, three legs burn the belly.

The name of "furnace" was first seen in Zhou Li Tianguan: "The name of furnace was first seen in Zhou Li's burial genus, and the imperial secretary's dormitory burned charcoal." Incense burner creation began in the Spring and Autumn Period, and the birthplace of incense culture was Chu in the Spring and Autumn Period. Because Chu is humid, indoor incense can dispel bad luck, prevent mildew and sterilize.

In fact, the early incense burners were only elegant living utensils and sacrificial utensils, while some bronze burners in the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period were used for heating and barbecuing food. Incense burners first appeared in the Han Dynasty.

Incense burners are generally divided into three types: sky furnace, ground furnace and cornucopia furnace. The sky furnace, that is, there are three legs under the circle, and the legs face forward as the "open door furnace". When the main account is opened, Xianjia can operate and come and go freely. One foot forward is a "closed door furnace", the front door is closed, and the immortal family practices without doing anything.

The ground stove is square with four legs under it, which is mostly used for ancestor worship, ancestor worship and the dead. Don't be a grave or a sacrifice, so you don't need a fireplace unless you make special arrangements.

Round top and round bottom, no legs, a cornucopia. Most of them are used by Buddhists, family immortals and the God of Wealth, in case of recruiting and foreign immortals coming. Except Zhao Gong and Guan Gong. The purpose of gathering money to protect the family.

In the Song Dynasty, incense burners began to appear in the imperial court, while some small incense burners became playthings of literati. At that time, burning incense, making tea, arranging flowers and hanging pictures were listed as the four major literati arts. After the Qing rulers entered the Central Plains, they ruled the world with "filial piety". During the reign of Kangxi, sacrificial rites prevailed, and incense burners as ritual vessels received unprecedented attention.