Fireworks production technology (fireworks production technology)

Name of China's national intangible cultural heritage: fireworks production technology

Applicant: Yang County, Shaanxi Province

Project No.: 436

Project No.: VIII - 86

Time of publication: 2008 (second batch)

Category: traditional art

Region: Shaanxi Province

Type: Extension Project

Applicant: Yang County, Shaanxi Province

Protection unit: Shaanxi Yangxian Zhifang fireworks Co., Ltd

Brief introduction of fireworks production technology (fireworks production technology)

Applicant: Yang County, Shaanxi Province

China is the first country to invent gunpowder in the world. Fireworks made of gunpowder also have a long history and enjoy high reputation in the world. The record of firecracker can be found in the book of Jingchu's age in the southern and Northern Dynasties, which describes the custom of firecracker in front of the court to avoid evil spirits when the cock crows. At that time, the so-called firecracker actually burned the bamboo tube, causing the air in the tube to heat up and burst. After Sui and Tang Dynasties, gunpowder was loaded into bamboo tube instead. In Song Dynasty, the abandoned bamboo tube was replaced by paper wrapped gunpowder. String of small firecrackers, commonly known as "firecrackers", have appeared in Hangzhou, the capital of the Southern Song Dynasty. According to the records of old stories in Wulin, this kind of firecracker rings continuously after it is ignited to the end. In the Ming and Qing Dynasties, there were many kinds of firecrackers, such as the double sound thunderbolt, the rising three waves, the two kicks, the flying ten rings and so on. Modern firecrackers are further developed and perfected in type and technology, forming a complete production system, including single sound, double sound, serial sound, firecrackers, firecrackers and other varieties, as well as various technologies such as reel, barrel cutting, bottom pasting, mud filling, gunpowder priming and hole sealing.

Fireworks, also known as "fireworks" and "fireworks", began in the Sui and Tang Dynasties, flourished in the Song Dynasty, and became popular in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. In the Tang Dynasty, "gunpowder and fireworks" appeared, which can show melons and fruits, animals, ghosts and other patterns. In the Southern Song Dynasty, shelf fireworks were very popular. According to Wanshu Zaji, there are many kinds of fireworks in Beijing in Ming Dynasty. The paper letter is called "flower tube", the mud letter is called "casserole", and the bamboo basket letter is called "flower box", which can show various patterns such as ribbon bird, grape trellis, pearl curtain, and long-term lamp. In the Qing Dynasty, Ji Sheng said that the fireworks in the capital at that time were "filled with several stories in the brocade box, and the characters were like Sheng, Ling and flowers and plants. The color of fireworks is mainly made of gunpowder and different chemicals, such as sodium salt is yellow, potassium salt is purple, strontium salt is red, barium salt is green and copper salt is blue.

Fireworks and firecrackers in China are mainly produced in Liuyang of Hunan, Wanzai and Pingxiang of Jiangxi, Dongguan of Guangdong and Pucheng and Yangxian of Shaanxi. Among them, shelf fireworks were well-known in the Song Dynasty. At present, they are rarely used, so it is urgent to protect and inherit them in order to promote their continuous development.

Fireworks is a kind of large-scale palace fireworks which has been handed down to the present. It takes the high pole beam frame as the binding form, and uses the recoil rocket to fire back and forth automatically, and then set off at high altitude.

The fireworks spread in Yangxian County of Shaanxi Province originated from the palace fireworks of Tang Dynasty. There are dozens of varieties, and more than 200 other varieties are compatible with them. Most of these fireworks are based on historical stories and drama characters, and are made according to the secret recipe handed down from generation to generation. The production process strictly follows the ancient process. "Double back sword with pole frame" is one of the best. The fireworks on the main pole of Yangxian fireworks can be generally installed on the 12th, 24th and 48th floors. Taking the fireworks on the 24th floor as an example, the height of the main pole is up to 20m, and 24 small poles connected with gunpowder core are scattered around. When setting off, the fireworks on the main pole and the small pole should be lit in a certain order, and other fireworks should be set up inside and outside the main pole and the small pole. The powder formula of Yangxian fireworks is accurate and scientific, the production process is reasonable and standardized, the improved drug formula has operability and safety, and the fireworks combination is meticulous and harmonious. Yangxian fireworks has an important historical, cultural and scientific value. Its production technology, fireworks shape and unique discharge form are only seen in China and the world. It provides valuable information for the study of the development history of gunpowder and fireworks, and has high academic research value.