A black-and-white photo of a person mid-air in a Superman-style body suspension pose, supported by multiple hooks in their back and legs, smiling joyfully toward the camera. They are suspended horizontally in a large indoor space with high ceilings and visible rigging. A group of onlookers—some seated, some standing—watch with expressions of admiration, amusement, and support. The atmosphere is lively and communal, capturing a moment of shared experience and transformation.

Incense Brandings

These nine (the top one didn’t scar) incense brands were done by allowing incense cones to burn out completely on the flesh while meditating (so it’s part body ritual, part permanent body modification) — BME has a small ritual branding gallery as well with a little more stuff.

Comments

21 responses to “Incense Brandings”

  1. Matney X Avatar

    Amazing. I think I enjoy the method more than the result, though.

  2. kyo Avatar
    kyo

    So Kai made the Blog!

    I know the technique, and can’t wait to try it myself…

  3. oniana Avatar
    oniana

    mad respect to that piece. I enjoy the aesthetic result, reminds me of bruises around the spinal protrustions found on emaciated anorexics. it’s all shapeshifting.

  4. Em Avatar
    Em

    The result looks understated and cool, and I like his trousers/man-skirt thingy.

  5. oniana Avatar
    oniana

    off topic, but shannon you should get tested for diabetes if yer pissing blood/losing weight.

  6. Ghostie Avatar

    Wow. Thats amazing… I’ve never been more interested in branding.

  7. trailerparkray Avatar

    thats such an interestng way to get a brand, and it looks so nice.

  8. pimheaad-jr Avatar
    pimheaad-jr

    i have tryde stiks for branding but i have to many scars on my arm to realy see it::P
    but i want to try this to(i had wanit to bu i sort of forgot:P)
    but i like the way you realy get round scars

  9. bonefish Avatar
    bonefish

    that beautiful.
    scars that highlight the spine are always good by my book.

  10. bonefish Avatar
    bonefish

    I also love the way you hid the ModBlog watermark, just noticed that 😀

  11. Sitara Avatar
    Sitara

    That’s really inspired me for what I want on the inside of my forearm (I just haven’t been able to decide for so long.)

    An original and very nice way of doing it. Incense cones are hell if you drop them on furnature, so I’m not surprised they scarred so well!

  12. Kmerathaetra Avatar
    Kmerathaetra

    MatneyX- “I think I enjoy the method more than the result”

    The branding was done entirely for the experience and spirituality of it, not the result, even though I am pleased with the aesthetic turnout of it, that was not the goal.

    Thanks, everybody…and thanks, Shannon- I feel like a rock star.

  13. Siren Avatar
    Siren

    Ooh it’s Kai ^___^ They look lovely.

  14. wish_I_were_a_dragon... Avatar

    I love spine stuff! Even if it wasn’t actually indended looks awesome all the same 😛

  15. Martin Avatar
    Martin

    What is incense cones? Where do I get them? Can I make them myself (from regular incense)?

  16. Trista Avatar
    Trista

    I’ve always liked scars. 😛 Nice, Kai.

  17. L1ZZARD Avatar

    Thats a very nice way to do it. I’m tempted to try this…

  18. Ramen Avatar
    Ramen

    I’m curious as to specifically how this was done. It’s something I am interested in, but I wouldn’t want to end up, perhaps, with little bits of something toxic imbedded in my skin, if there’s anything that would do that in, I dunno, certain kinds of incense or something. And there isn’t very much to be found about it on the internet.

  19. shining_down Avatar
    shining_down

    Kai! lol nice one mate

  20. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    The best part is at the end, when the bottom of the cone pops off your skin and hits random observers. The highlight of my incense brands.

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