Kyphi Incense
Kyphi is the Greek translation of the Egyptian K’pt (Kapet), a mixture of aromatic herbs, spices, resins, gums, fragrant woods, roots, honey, and wine. It was primarily used as incense, a “perfume welcome” to gods. It is not known at what date Kyphi was first used in Egypt; however, the earliest references for burning resins in incense burners go as far back as the fifth dynasty (2494–2345 BC).
Many believed that the smoke rising from burning incense broke boundaries between the worlds of the living and gods and united them together. The thick, fragrant smoke of Kyphi purified and cleansed the air, temples and living spaces and made them ready for the arrival of the divine beings.
Perfumes were known to shift moods, evoke memories, and lift spirits, and those emanating from Kyphi smoke were no exception. These health-giving properties were seen as gifts from gods and sensory evidence of their existence. When gods made an appearance on earth, they revealed their presence by exhaling beautiful perfumes. There is no surprise then that the worship of gods was accompanied by burning Kyphi and other aromatic materials.
Some also believed that gods were present in the beautifully scented smoke of incense and that the smoke acted as a bridge over which they could safely descend on earth.
