Introduction of Jing Xiang Lu aka Cleansing Incense Urn (淨香爐簡介)

Jing Xiang Lu (淨香爐) aka Qing Xiang Lu (清香爐) or Jing Lu (淨爐), translated as the Cleansing Incense Urn that being placed on the Altars in Temples or Homes by the Taoists.

So what is Jing Xiang Lu use for?

According to records, in the past, Jing Xiang Lu was used to hold a type of very special incense-wood that helped to cleanse one's physical hand or remove any un-necessary smell on one's physical body.

Slowly, such Jing Xiang Lu was being used in Imperial Court (朝廷) to reduce the un-necessary smell around and also, to reduce the viruses (瘴氣) that spread around in the Internal Imperial Court.

And after it was being imported into our Taoist Spiritual Culture, Jing Xiang Lu was used to cleanse one’s mind, soul & physical body (淨化精氣神), besides that, it was also used to enhance the surrounding energies to make it into a more Positive Atmosphere for Spiritual Activities to take place.

Due to the beliefs that the Chinese & Taoists have, while someone is suspected to have affected by the Negative Entities, Jing Xiang Lu will be used. Usually the Jing Xiang Lu will be lighted with Jing Xiang (Cleansing Incenses) all day long until the person recovered or the situation got improved, etc.

During Taoist Rituals/Ceremonies, Jing Xiang Lu will be used as one of the Important Urn for the Leading Spiritual Master to make the offering of Incenses to the Deities and also, used to cleanse the Physical Palms by gathering the Energies from the Fumes.

So what type of Cleansing Incense is being used?

Usually will be Tan Xiang (檀香) aka Sandal Wood Incense or Chen Xiang (沉香) aka Agar Wood Incense.

These are 2 types of Incense Woods that are able to emit out the aroma that help to keep a person alert and awake, besides that, in Chinese Medical Researches, these 2 types of Incense Wood are able to improve the energy in one's physical health, etc.

In Religion-wise, due to these 2 types of Woods are being enhanced with energies from the Heaven & Earth, in someway, they are considered as Spiritual Wood and so, by using/lighting them, the Forces that emitted out are consider strong and sharp that are able to ward off all negative entities and enhance the surrounding energies into positive energies.

So for normal home, can one use it?

Of cos can, like what I posted earlier, Temples and Homes will use this Jing Xiang Lu to make Incense-offering (usually go with a Taoist Mantra).

Usually at home, we don't light the Jing Xiang everyday, only on Big Days such as 1st, 15th or Festive Days (朔望日等等).

Can pay respect to Ancestors using Jing Xiang?

No, a lot of people tend to place the Jing Xiang Lu for Ancestors, due to the in-accurate influences of other Non-Taoist Religions, which is totally a ignorant action.

Never place one for the Ancestors, this is not doing them good by harming them more.

Where shall the Jing Xiang Lu be place on the Altar?

You can place it in front of the main Urn or on the left side of the main Urn (which is our Right-hand side).

Never get a Jing Xiang Lu that is bigger and higher than the main Urn, this show no respect and might affect the energies that emitted out by the main Urn.

So what type of Jing Xiang Lu must one use?

If you are interested, can try to get one that is being shown in the picture above, will get the Round one instead of any different funny shape.

Never get those Lu with Non-Taoist Chanting or Characters being printed on it, cos this is a form of dis-respect to the Deities that you are honouring to and also to the other Non-Taoist Religions.