And why they were valued as highly as gold
More than 2,000 years ago, three wise men travelled across desert sands, guided only by a star, carrying with them the most precious treasures of their time: gold, frankincense, and myrrh. While gold’s value is obvious, the other two gifts often leave people wondering—why were aromatic resins placed alongside one of earth’s rarest metals?
The answer lies in their immense spiritual, medicinal, and economic value in the ancient world.
Frankincense – The Scent of Divinity
Frankincense was treasured across ancient cultures for its purifying and uplifting aroma. Used in temples, ceremonies, and sacred rituals, its smoke symbolised prayers rising to the heavens. It was considered so holy that only priests and royalty could afford to burn it.
In biblical symbolism, frankincense represented:
- Divinity and worship – acknowledging Jesus as holy.
- Healing and purification – frankincense was used for respiratory support, emotional wellbeing, and spiritual clarity.
This sacred resin was worth its weight in gold because it was harvested from remote deserts and required skilled, dangerous work to collect.
Myrrh – The Resin of Healing & Protection
Myrrh, with its warm, earthy aroma, was equally precious. Highly valued in ancient medicine, myrrh was used for:
- Wound care and immune support
- Skin healing and preservation
- Calming anxiety and emotional distress
Symbolically, myrrh represented:
- Humanity and suffering – acknowledging that Jesus would experience the fullness of human life, including pain.
- Protection – myrrh was used to anoint kings, mothers, newborn babies, and even to protect against illness.
Because of its scarcity and powerful medicinal uses, myrrh was as valuable as gold in trade.
Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh: The Perfect Trio
The three gifts together were deeply meaningful:
- Gold honoured Jesus as king.
- Frankincense honoured Him as divine.
- Myrrh acknowledged His humanity and purpose.
They weren’t just luxurious gifts—they told a prophetic story.
And today, frankincense and myrrh remain two of the world’s most cherished botanicals, loved for their grounding aromas, emotional support, spiritual symbolism, and powerful skin-healing benefits.