Why the incence is called the longevity incence

[moon88]

Dear cecil,
First of all we are surprised to see such huge
incense. Would like to know why they are called longevity incense. Why they are hung outside the temple why not inside. How long one incense burns. Who lights it. The priest or it lit by the people who visit the temple. Thanks.

[Cecil Lee]

Dear Anon,
1. Yes, the circular incense is quite huge.
2. There are several sizes available.
The `smaller' ones burn for an hour or so. For the larger ones as seen in the picture, they burn around several hours.
The time taken to burn depends also on the atmosphere. If it is hung outside and quite windy, it would burn much faster.
3. Usually, the temple guardians burn these candles.
As they can be quite smoky, for this temple, it is burned outside the temple. Furthermore, this temple has quite a small and congested interior and not possible to burn so many incense inside the temple. It can become quite `smoky'.
Actually, when I wrote the earlier message, I mentioned `longevity'. It is not the actual word but to give a sense that unlike a straight incense, it burns quite long thus `longevity'.
It is like the Chinese, going to the restaurant and on a birthday occasion order `longevity' noodles. I was trying to bring out this point.
Some call it a `stack or twirl' as when it is placed flat, it looks like a twirl. This type of incense has been used for a long time even in olden days.
In Malaysia, it is quite common to find mosquito repellents in a similar twirl. These are placed on the floor and lighted up at night to `scare' aware (the fume) the mosqitoes.
Usually, the guardians of the temple would light it up instead of the visitors. But it is certainly an interesting sight at night:)
Warmest Regards,
Cecil

Quote

On 5/3/00 12:48:00 AM, Anonymous wrote:
Dear cecil,
First of all we are surprised
to see such huge
incense. Would like to know
why they are called longevity
incense. Why they are hung
outside the temple why not
inside. How long one incense
burns. Who lights it. The
priest or it lit by the people
who visit the temple. Thanks.