| For thousands of years, incense has been regarded | | | | At first, the figures were carved to resemble people |
| as a valuable commodity for both personal use and | | | | who could be found around any local village, such as |
| trade. In ancient times, it was considered as valuable | | | | peasants, bakers, and other trades people. As the |
| and important as spices and even gold. Incense also | | | | figures evolved, they were limited only to the creators' |
| has a strong religious connection, as it was offered as | | | | imaginations, and today can be found in many styles |
| one of the gifts presented to the baby Jesus by the | | | | and variations, especially Christmas themes such as |
| Three Wise Men. The festival of the Three Wise Men | | | | Santa Claus and snowmen due to their connection to |
| is still celebrated in Germany on January 6, known as | | | | and widespread use during the Christmas holidays. |
| the Epiphany in some Christian religions, and incense is | | | | Many interesting Smoking Men and other quality |
| still burned in many religious ceremonies in all cultures | | | | German Christmas pieces of folk art (Volkskunst) are |
| of the world today. | | | | on display, along with some background information on |
| During the early to mid-1600s, it was a common belief | | | | their creation and historical significance on many |
| in Germany that evil spirits came out on "Die | | | | websites. |
| Rauhnachte, or "Raunacht" (the longest night of the | | | | Many Smoking Men and other regional craft specialties |
| year), close to the Christmas holidays. It was said that | | | | were created by the art of wood turning, which is |
| noise and light would drive away these evil spirits and | | | | attaching a piece of wood to a special pin and turning |
| protect the health of the home's inhabitants. One | | | | the wood as it is carved to achieve a more uniform |
| tradition that developed as a part of this, and as an | | | | shape. Wood turning was initially used to make |
| extension of Christian religious practices, was the | | | | household goods like buttons and cups, but as the |
| burning of incense to bless the home. At first, incense | | | | production and sophistication of wooden folk art |
| was simply burned on a tin plate, but as the tradition | | | | increased, it was used more and more to create the |
| developed, people thought of more inventive ways to | | | | Christmastime figures for which the former miners |
| offer their blessing. | | | | would become known throughout the world. |
| The "Smoking Man," first created in the village of | | | | Directions for Using a Smoking Man |
| Heidelberg, became a decorative and common way to | | | | Separate the upper part of the figure from the lower |
| burn incense. The creation of Smoking Men originated | | | | half. Light an incense cone and place it on the tin plate |
| during the long, harsh winters of the Erzgebirge ("Ore | | | | on the lower half of the figure. When the incense |
| Mountains") region, when the miners who lived there | | | | begins to smolder, replace the top half of your |
| needed both an extra source of income and a way to | | | | Räuchermann. Smoke should come out of the mouth |
| pass the time. The plentiful wood in the densely | | | | or other designated hole(s). |
| forested region offered a solution to both, and they | | | | When in use, supervise children and do not leave |
| began making little hollowed-out figurines that came | | | | unattended. |
| apart at the middle and held a tin plate inside to hold | | | | Care of Your Smoking Man |
| incense. When the incense was lit and placed on the | | | | Clean any residue from the plate, inside of the body, |
| plate, smoke would curl out of a hole carved in the | | | | and the mouth of your Smoking Man on a regular |
| mouth to resemble a man smoking a pipe, a custom | | | | basis. Store incense designed to be used with your |
| that was very popular at the time and was a familiar | | | | Smoking Man in a tightly sealed package in a cool, dry |
| sight in the region's villages. Public pipe smoking is most | | | | location. |
| likely the inspiration for the initial Smoking Men. | | | | |