香炉的作用，是盛载香支，以作日常供奉神明之用。香炉亦分两大类，一是瓷器造的香炉，另一种是铜造的香炉，两者作用略有不同。
The function of incense burner is to carry incense sticks for daily worship of gods. There are two kinds of incense burners. One is made of porcelain, the other is made of copper. The two kinds of incense burners have slightly different functions.
瓷器的香妒，因为是土器制品，较适宜与地界作沟通可供奉地界神明之用，譬如供奉祖先或土地、地主财神等、宜用瓷器制的香炉，这一种炉却不宜用于供奉天界的神祗。
Porcelain incense, because it is earthenware products, is more suitable for communicating with the world for worshiping the gods of the earth, such as ancestors or land, landlords, gods of wealth, etc., suitable for using incense stoves made of porcelain, but this kind of stove is not suitable for worshiping the gods of heaven.