AC 10177 - frankincense

AC 10177 [11]
The offerings of incense in the Ancient Church,
and from this in the Israelitish,
were prepared from fragrant substances,
such as stacte, onycha, galbanum, and frankincense;
for the reason that odor signified perception,
and a fragrant odor a grateful perception.
But frankincense in particular signifies the truth of faith,
and therefore when "frankincense" is mentioned in the Word,
there is joined with it "oil," "bread," a "meat-offering," or "gold,"
by all of which is signified the good of love; as in Isaiah:

All they from Sheba shall come,
they shall bring gold and frankincense,
and shall proclaim the praises of Jehovah.
(Isaiah 60:6)

In like manner those who came from the east, of whom it is written in Matthew,

There came wise men from the east,
seeking the Lord just then born,
and opening their treasures they offered
gold, frankincense, and myrrh.
(Matthew 2:1, 2, 11)

(That those who were from the east and were called "sons of the east,"
in the Word signify those who were in the knowledges of good and truth;
in like manner "Sheba";
that "gold" signifies the good of love.)