Fireworks and drones aren’t the only things lighting up the night sky—molten “iron flower” displays also captivate viewers.
(A fire pot show is performed in Beijing on Feburary 1st.)
A spoonful of molten iron creates thousands of golden sparks. During the Spring Festival of the Year of the Snake, folk artists from regions like Zhejiang, Chongqing, Shanxi, and Beijing showcased the intangible cultural heritage skills of fire pot performances and molten iron fireworks at Spring Festival cultural events.
（A molten “iron flower” displays is performed in Beijing on Feburary 1st.）
During a molten iron fireworks performance, the artist heats pig iron to over 1,600°C, transforming it into molten iron. One performer scoops up the molten iron and tosses it into the air, while another strikes it forcefully. In an instant, the iron scatters into a shower of sparks, creating golden bursts over ten meters high that light up the night sky.
Originating over 1,000 years ago during the Northern Song Dynasty, molten iron fireworks were initially part of the casting process, with craftsmen using the sparks to bless their clients. This art form flourished during the Ming and Qing Dynasties and gradually came to symbolize prosperity, progress, and good fortune.
In 2008, China added molten iron fireworks and fire pot performances to its national intangible cultural heritage list. Today, people celebrate them for their cultural significance and breathtaking visual impact, with more young people actively preserving and passing on this extraordinary tradition.
Written and video shot by Chen Wang.
If you liked this article, why not read: Let’s celebrate the Spring Festival in Xinjiang International Grand Bazaar
