User:Xu Yangyang
Striking Iron Fireworks:The Grand Scenery and Cultural Treasures of Fire Trees and Silver Flowers Inherited for Thousands of Years
Strinking Iron Fireworks, as a distinctive traditional folk activity, is a folk performance art form developed by ancient Chinese craftsmen during the process of casting utensils. Its history dates back to the Northern Song Dynasty, and it reached its peak during the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It has been passed down to the present day for over a thousand years. This art is mainly found in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, especially in Henan and Shanxi provinces.
Performers heat iron ingots to over 1,600°C until they liquefy into molten iron. Then, holding wooden spoons, they forcefully launch the molten iron into the air or strike it against hard objects, causing the molten iron to burst into thousands of sparks in the air. As the sparks fly and come into contact with the air, they cool instantly, creating a spectacular scene of flowing colors, just like "a rain of stars." The entire performance is usually accompanied by drum music and the sounds of gongs, creating a vibrant festival atmosphere. As the sparks spurt, the audience seems to be in a dreamlike world of fiery trees and silver flowers. Striking Iron Fireworks contains many cultural connotations, symbolizing people's anticipation for a better life. In June 2008, Striking Iron Fireworks, from Queshan County, Henan Province, was approved by the State Council and successfully listed in the second batch of National Intangible Cultural heritage representative lists.
Origin
The origin of Striking Iron Fireworks is closely linked to ancient Chinese smelting industry, which can be traced back to the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods. At that time, the smelting industry thrived, laying a material foundation for the emergence of Striking Iron Fireworks. Initially, Striking Iron Fireworks originated from the sacrificial activities of craftsmen who worked with gold, silver, copper, iron, and tin. Before commencing their business operations each year, these five types of craftsmen would consult and prepare jointly. They would set up a flower shed in the south and a divine shed in the north. After choosing an auspicious day, they would first go to the local Lao Jun Temple and Fire God Temple to offer sacrifices piously. Then, the five types of craftsmen would carry the statue of Lord Lao Jun, which was enshrined in their shop, and proceed in a procession. Along the way, they would play music, beat drums, and set off firecrackers, creating an extremely lively scene. All the shops of craftsmen along the way would set up incense tables and offerings to welcome and see off the procession. Only after the procession arrived at the divine shed and placed the statue of Lord Lao Jun properly, they would hold a solemn sacrificial ceremony, earnestly praying for the protection of Lord Lao Jun and the Fire God. At night, the craftsmen would kneel and change their clothes in the divine shed, praying for divine protection and safety again. After that, they would start Striking Iron Fireworks performance.
Development History
After the Northern Song Dynasty, with the migration of the population, Striking Iron Fireworks gradually spread from its origin to other regions across the country. During the process of dissemination, it continuously absorbs the characteristics of regional cultures in various places and integrates with the local folk customs, thereby forming a wide variety of expressive forms.
During the Ming and Qing dynasties, Striking Iron Fireworks entered a period of great prosperity. In this period, the government and all sectors of society strongly supported it, which greatly expanded its range of applicatioins. It was no longer confined to the sacrificial activities but was widely used in various festive events in folk society, such as making and fulfilling vows, promotions, weddings etc. At the same time, to enhance the ornamental value and atmosphere of the performance, Striking Iron Fireworks incorporated rich elements such as firecrackers and fireworks, gradually evolving into a folk iron fireworks with regional characteristics. In the early 20th century, due to frequent wars and social unrest, Queshan Iron Fireworks was also greatly impacted and nearly become extinct. After the founding of the People's Republic of China, society gradually stabilized. However, with the popularization and rapid development of modern fireworks, Striking Iron Fireworks saw a decline in activities due to its complex production process, high risk, and high costs. It was not until 1988 that Queshan Iron Fireworks reapperaed, demonstrating its unique artistic charm.
Steps of Striking Iron Flowers Performance
The performance of Striking Iron Fireworks is divided into three key steps. Each step is filled with a sense of ritual and technicality. The first step is to build the shed, which forms the basis of the entire performance. In an open field, craftsmen carefully build a double - layer, square, octagonal flower shed about 6 meters high. The construction of the flower shed needs to strictly follow traditional specifications and techniques to ensure its stability and safety.
The second step is to decorate the shed with colors, which adds rich colors and a festive atmosphere to the flower shed. At the top of the flower shed, craftsmen densely cover it with willow branches and skillfully tie firecrackers and fireworks. In the center of the top of the flower shed, a pole about 6 meters high, called the "main pole", is erected, and the top of the main pole is also fully covered with firecrackers and fireworks. Through such settings, the total height of the flower shed reaches more than ten meters. When the iron flowers bloom, they will shine brightly in concert with the firecrackers and fireworks on the flower shed, creating an extremely spectacular scene.
The third step is the most exciting part. Next to the flower shed, a melting iron furnace burns brightly, and the prepared scrap iron gradually melts into iron under high temperature. The craftsmen bare their upper bodies and only wear safety helmets, showing fearless courage. The hold an upper flower stick filled with molten iron in one hand and a lower flower stick without molten iron in the other. They quickly run to the bottem of the flower shed and strike the upper stick with the lower stick forcefully, instantly making the molten iron in the stick rush towards the flower shed at high speed. When the molten iron strikes the willow branches on the shed roof, it scatters instantaneously, resembling a shower of stars bursting in all directions. At the same time, the firecrackers and fireworks on the flower shed are ignited. For a moment, iron flowers were splashing, the firecrackers were booming deafeningly, and fireworks were blazing spectacularly. The whole scene was truly magnificent. During the performance, if a highly skilled craftsman can hit the highest point of the main pole and successfully set off the fireworks there, it is called "hitting the jackpot." The person who hits the jackpot will receive great honor, such as being dressed in red and decorated with flowers, receiving rewards of money and gifts, and becoming the focus of the whole scene. During Striking Iron Fireworks event, there is often a dragon - lantern team. The dragon - lantern team nimbly moves in and out of the flower shed where the iron flowers are splashing. This performance form is called "the dragon threading through the flowers." The dragon symbolizes good luck, authority, and power in Chinese culture. "The dragon threading through the flowers" makes Striking Iron Fireworks performance more spectacular, festive, and auspicious, pushing the atmosphere of the scene to a climax.
Commercial Implication
In ancient times, Striking Iron Fireworks had great significance for the craftsman's industry. By holding Striking Iron Fireworks events, craftsmen could fully display the unique skills and grandeur of their industry, attracting the attention of public, thus expanding the influence of the industry and enhancing its status in society. At the same time, Striking Iron Fireworks also contains profound commercial implications. Leveraging the homophony of "flower" and "prosperity" in Chinese, it symbolizes the flourishing of one's career. In business activities, people believed that they could be lucky and gain a great deal of wealth by holding Striking Iron Fireworks events. This implication reflects the pursuit of ancient craftsmen and merchants for a better life.
Wishing Implications
Striking Iron Fireworks plays an important role in folk sacrificial rituals. It originated from the rituals of ancient ancestors sacrificing to the heaven, earth, gods, and ancestors, as well as the joint sacrifices of Lord Lao Jun and the Fire God by the Central Plains Taoists and the five types of folk craftsmen. In these sacrificial activities, Striking Iron Fireworks was regarded as a way to communicate with the gods and convey people's good wishes. People believed that they could pray to the gods for favorable weather for crops, a bumper harvest, the safety of people and livestock, peace and happiness in life. This implication has run through the development process of Striking Iron Fireworks and become an important part of its cultural connotations.
Modern Implications
With the development of society, Striking Iron Fireworks has been given more positive implications. In modern society, the spectacular scene of Striking Iron Fireworks symbolizes wealth and prosperity. At the same time, the blooming fire of the iron flowers is regarded as a symbol of prosperity, implying that careers are booming and life is prosperous. In addition, Striking Iron Fireworks also carries people's longing for a better life. And it has become a cultural symbol that unites people's hearts and conveys positive energy. Striking Iron Fireworks can make people feel the charm of traditional culture and enhance national pride and cultural confidence.
Terms and Expressions
Striking Iron Fireworks: 打铁花
Smelting Culture: 冶铁文化
Taoist Culture: 道教文化
National Intangible Cultural Heritage:国家级非物质文化遗产
Questions
1.When did Striking Iron Fireworks originate?
2.What was the original purpose of Striking Iron Flowers?
3.What is the performance form of Striking Iron Fireworks?
4.What kind of meanings does Striking Iron Flowers have in different historical periods?
5.Have you ever watched an Striking Iron Fireworks performance on site? What was your feeling at that time?
References
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[2]高明月.晋城非遗打铁花技艺的视觉形态构建研究[J].大观(论坛),2025,(03):18-20.
[3]孙浩鑫.非物质文化遗产外宣策略研究——以旅顺打铁花为例[J].作家天地,2022,(35):165-167.
[4]孙越.千度铁水幻化成满天星光[N].科技日报,2025-02-25(003).DOI:10.28502/n.cnki.nkjrb.2025.001155.
[5]张凤.河南省确山“打铁花”民俗文化研究[D].青海师范大学,2018.