1. What we call fireworks
First, let’s briefly talk about the modern definition of fireworks. Firecrackers are also called firecrackers, paper firecrackers (Hakka), firecrackers (Cantonese), and firecrackers (Minnan). They have a history of more than 2,000 years since their origin. In the beginning, firecrackers were mainly used to ward off evil spirits. However, in modern times, Chinese people almost always set off firecrackers during traditional festivals, weddings, various celebrations, temple fairs and other occasions. Especially during the Lunar New Year, the use of firecrackers exceeds the annual use. half of.
The terminology of firecrackers varies in different historical periods. The names range from "firecrackers", "explosive poles", "firecrackers" to "firecrackers". In Nanqiao Town, Liling City, Hunan Province, the hometown of firecrackers and fireworks, In Baitutan Town and its surrounding areas, people still refer to individual firecrackers that are large in size, have a lot of gunpowder and have strong explosive power as "firecrackers".
2. Little allusions about several fireworks:
The first story about the origin is the most widely circulated one.
It is said that firecrackers originated from firecrackers. There is a saying that has been circulating since ancient times: A long time ago, a beast called "Nian" would appear every year on the night of the Lunar New Year's Eve. In order to scare away this beast, people burned bamboo knots at their doorsteps. Because the air in the bamboo cavity was affected by The heat expands and the bamboo cavity bursts, making a loud noise to drive away the Nian beast. Stories about this aspect are also recorded in various encyclopedias and among the people.
The following few stories are related to historical records and are people’s most traditional uses of fireworks. They have become origin stories now.
1. The Liang Dynasty's "Jingchu Age Chronicles" records: "On the first day of the first lunar month...the cockcrow rose...first there were firecrackers in front of the court, and there were wild ghosts in the mountains."
2. Firecrackers made of gunpowder were first seen in Meng Yuanlao's "Tokyo Menghua Lu": "A sudden sound like a thunderbolt is called a firecracker...the fireworks explode." "Mengliang Lu", "Old Martial Arts", and "Capital Records" all have records about "firecrackers".
3. By the 16th century, China’s firecrackers had become diverse. "Yuan Shu Miscellaneous Notes" written by Shen Bang in 1593 records that loud noises are called "cannons", those that fly high are called "fires", and those with cannon sounds are called "third-level waves". The ones that rotate are called "ground mice", the ones that look like flowers and plants are called "flowers", the ones sealed with soil are called "casseroles", and the ones wrapped in paper are called "flower pots". Needham believes that the second "fire" is obviously a rocket, and the fourth "ground mouse" is very important. It may be a primitive rocket thruster. "Qidong Wild Language" also records that "ground mice" fireworks flew to the feet of the Queen Mother, causing the Queen Mother to panic.
The above is the story about fireworks.