焰火 yànhuŏ (Fireworks)

The Northern Song Dynasty (960-1125 CE) only lasted 65 years before Song Huizong's inefficient rule (but amazing calligraphy) + pressure from the Jurchens* = its demise. This period was, however, a cultural and scientific highpoint that is known in particular for three innovations: the compass, printing technology, and gunpowder.

And what did the Chinese do with this gunpowder? They made fireworks! They did manage to use them as rockets to shoot off arrows, but it was the Europeans who actually invented the gun in the 14th century. It was also the Europeans who first figured out how to make colored fireworks by adding different metallic salts.

But regardless, China is still a leader in fireworks, and the thick haze of smoke and barrage of noise outside my window is testament to it. Today is the first day of the Lunar New Year, and while I unfortunately do not have any special plans, I'm enjoying just observing all the action.

I can only imagine what Chinese emigrants must think of our "fireworks." I've never seen anything like this. There are places in the States where its not even legal to sell fireworks; here, there are vendors on every street corner. In the States, if you started setting off fireworks too close to buildings, people would probably call the police; here, it's not like there's any open space, anyhow. Around 11:40 pm last night, my friend Alina and I went outside to the gate of my apartment complex to watch the spectacle. People kept pouring out with explosives of every shape and size, setting them outside of the gate and lighting them on fire. I live in an area with several apartment complexes, so there were fireworks in nearly every direction. The ground was littered with paper and debris, the entire area was filled with smoke, and it occasionally rained ash. It was so loud that it sounded like artillery, and kept setting off various car alarms. It was, in a word, epic.

Fireworks from 2-3 simultaneous shows

Note how close the fireworks are to the building on the right

A pile of smoking debris remaining this afternoon
(A bit had already been swept up by this point)

I wanted to attach a video clip that I took to give you the full effect (deafening sounds included), but unfortunately my internet seems to crash every time I try. Perhaps I'll manage it another time. In the meantime, find yourself some dumplings, and have a very happy (lunar) new year!


*Just a little extra history if you're interested: the Jurchens are a Tungus ethnic group that founded the Later Jin Dynasty during the Five Dynasties period (907-960 CE). They are the predecessors of the Manchu ethnic group, who later founded the last Chinese dynasty, the Qing (1644-1911 CE).