sacred smoke

Sacred smoke is smoke produced in religious or spiritual ceremonies, typically from burning herbs, incense, or wood.

Many traditions use it for purification, prayer, or creating a connection between physical and spiritual realms: The shaman wafted sacred smoke over the participants.

Common sources include sage, sweetgrass, frankincense, and palo santo.

The practice appears across cultures—from Indigenous American smudging to Catholic censing to Hindu puja.