Natural Frankincense Resin

Frankincense, also known as olibanum, is an aromatic resin used in incense and perfume.

Greek and Roman mythology references Frankincense and Myrrh (which we also sell), the most famous of which is the legend of the Phoenix, a mythical bird that dies and is reborn from it's ashes.  According to Greco-Roman accounts, when the Phoenix felt it's death approaching, it would build a nest of Frankincense, Myrrh and other spices, set it on fire and be consumed by the flames, only to rise anew from the fragrant pyre.  In this story, Frankincenst and Myrrh are not incidental, they are the essential substances of rebirth.  The choice of these resins in the Phoenix mythology vividly conveys their symbolic link to immortality and resurrection.

The sweet smoke of frankincense and myrrh in the Phoenix’s funeral nest exemplifies purification and transformation – the bird’s soul literally riding the incense smoke to heaven to be reborn. It’s a powerful image that resonated in antiquity; even some early Christian texts adopted the Phoenix as a symbol of Christ’s resurrection, complete with the detail of a nest of Myrrh and Frankincense.

Now you have had the poetic story behind the resin, know that ours is imported from Somalia and is of the highest quality.  No two bags are alike and they each share a selection of chunky pieces of resin and some that are smaller.  You would need to use charcoal to burn this resin, with a suitable burner.