What is Copal?
Copal is a tree resin, particularly the aromatic resins from the copal tree Protium copal (Burseraceae) used by the cultures of pre-Columbian Mesoamerica as ceremonially burned incense. The term encompasses multiple species within the Burseraceae family—including Bursera bipinnata and Bursera glabrifolia, both commonly referred to as copal—as well as Boswellia (frankincense), Commiphora (myrrh), and Bursera resin. Copal includes resinous substances in an intermediate stage of polymerization and hardening between “gummier” resins and amber.
When burned on charcoal or heated, copal releases dense, fragrant smoke with a rich, earthy, slightly sweet, and piney aroma. This smoke has served for thousands of years as a medium for spiritual cleansing, prayer transmission, protection, and healing in indigenous Mesoamerican traditions.
Origins & Lineage
Copal is a precious resin used since ancient times by the civilizations of Central and South America, notably the Mayas and the Aztecs. Mass amounts of copal resin were burned atop the Aztec and Mayan pyramids as offerings to the gods and deities. In the Mayan ruins, copal was discovered in the burial grounds, proving its spiritual significance.
Copal was a necessary daily sacrifice to sustain and nourish the deities in almost all Mesoamerican religions; copal was the staple crop of the Gods, just as maize was the staple crop of humans. For the Aztecs the smoke of burning incense was seen as sending messages into the upper realms while the Maya deposited copal offerings into the depths of a watery underworld. In these contexts, copal becomes more-than-resin, understood by ancient Mesoamericans as the blood of trees, the brain of heaven, and shaped as both heart and corn offerings.
In Mexico, copal was associated with the water element, creation and fertility Gods; black copal was commonly used as an offering to the Mayan deities, and was considered to be the “food of the Gods”. Copal was thought to both ward off illness and evil spirits as well as treat various ailments including toothaches, bloated stomach, female hemorrhage, poisonous animal bites, blisters, diarrhea and even hiccups.
Bernal Díaz del Castillo, a Spanish conquistador, described his first encounters with indigenous peoples in the early 16th century: “The priests of the Idols… brought us incense of a sort of resin which they call copal, and with pottery braziers full of live coals, they began to fumigate us”.
How It’s Practiced
Copal is traditionally burned in raw resin form on charcoal discs or in clay braziers. The white smoke produced by burning copal resin was associated with helpful spirits and “White Gods”; it was believed that the white smoke assisted in contacting deities and helpful spirit allies.
Practitioners use copal for multiple purposes: Copal incense is primarily used for cleansing and purification; it is believed to clear negative energy from spaces, people, and objects. Historically used as an offering, copal is believed to open a channel for communication with the spirit realm; it can elevate prayers and intentions, making it a powerful aid for meditation and ceremonial work.
Copal appears in varieties distinguished by color: Blanco copal, also known as ‘white copal,’ is the purest variety of copal and is often used in spiritual practices for its cleansing properties with a light, citrusy scent. Oro copal, also known as ‘gold copal’ is characterized by its golden color and warm, resinous scent with strong purifying and protective properties. Negro copal, also known as ‘black copal,’ is characterized by its dark, almost black color and deep, earthy scent from the resin mixing with bits of bark or other plant material during harvesting.
Working with an incense burner, practitioners light the resin and use the smoke to clear above the head, then bring it down across the shoulders from left to right, down to the feet, and back to the heart—a traditional practice that is a fusion of Christian and indigenous beliefs and is still practiced today as a way to honor both spiritual traditions.
Copal Today
Modern communities on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border burn copal in communal temazcales (sweat lodges) and in private sessions with healers; copal is found in abundance on Día de los Muertos—Day of the Dead—altars and in the opening ceremonies by Aztec Danzantes. In the Pre-Classical period, Indigenous groups in Mesoamerica celebrated the event for a whole month in August and burn Copalli on their Altars to guide the Souls of their loved ones back home from the Afterlife.
Contemporary seekers encounter copal through temazcal ceremonies, Day of the Dead observances, energy healing sessions, meditation retreats, and conscious spiritual gatherings. It is widely available through wellness retailers, spiritual supply shops, and indigenous artisan cooperatives. Some retreat centers in Mexico and Central America offer authentic copal ceremonies led by indigenous practitioners or trained curanderos.
The video closes with the phrase: “El copal es parte de tú identidad, toda Mesoamerica lo ocupaba”—Copal is part of your identity; all of Mesoamerica uses it. Copal tells an ancient story, but it also tells a story of Indigenous survival, transculturation, and the longue durée of Mexicanidad.
Common Misconceptions
Copal is not the same as frankincense or myrrh, though all three come from related Burseraceae family trees. Copal is not fully fossilized amber; copal includes resinous substances in an intermediate stage of polymerization and hardening between “gummier” resins and amber.
Copal is not culturally neutral or universally appropriate. There is a delicate distinction to be made between those who are reaching into religious traditions and cultural lineages that are not their own and those who are reclaiming a heritage or ritual to which they belong; paying attention to issues of extraction and coloniality in the use of copal allows us to envision a pathway for Mexican and Mexican-American people to respectfully burn this incense. For those outside Mesoamerican lineages, working with copal requires cultural humility, acknowledgment of its origins, and awareness of the difference between appreciation and appropriation.
Copal is not a cure-all or magic substance independent of relationship and ceremony. Traditional use involves intention, prayer, and acknowledgment of the spirit of the tree and the lineage of practice.
How to Begin
For those with Mesoamerican ancestry or those invited by indigenous teachers: Source copal ethically from indigenous cooperatives or fair-trade suppliers. Learn to burn copal resin on charcoal discs in a fireproof bowl or traditional clay brazier. Begin by setting clear intention, offering gratitude to the tree and the lineage, and allowing the smoke to move through your space or around your body with reverence.
For others: Consider exploring sacred smoke traditions from your own ancestral lineages. If copal calls to you, approach it with humility, educate yourself on its history, acknowledge its Mesoamerican origins in every use, and purchase only from sources that support indigenous communities. Avoid commodified “smudge kits” that extract the resin without honoring the culture.
Resources for learning include Voices from the Ancestors: Xicanx and Latinx Spiritual Expressions and Healing Practices edited by Lara Medina and Martha R. Gonzales, scholarly work on Mesoamerican cosmovision by Davíd Carrasco, and direct apprenticeship with living indigenous practitioners in regions where copal traditions remain unbroken.