How Long Is a "Stick of Incense," Really?

A "stick of incense" is period drama's most reliable prop. Two swordsmen light one before a duel—the first to flinch loses. A courtroom lights one to clock a defendant's final plea.

Cut to real life, and the answer blurs. A thick stick smolders for the better part of an hour; a thin one can crumble to ash before your tea cools. For ancient folk, it was less a measurement than a mood—closer to "hold on a sec" than "five minutes sharp."

So when someone asks how long a stick of incense really burns, the honest reply is: depends on the stick—and who's holding the match.