Molten iron in the sky

Blacksmiths in Dunhuang, China, create a unique annual fireworks display using molten iron to celebrate the lunar new year. The dangerous ceremony involves throwing molten iron up against a cold wall, creating a dazzling display of sparks. (PHOTO: Screenshot from Dateline ABC)

Blacksmiths in Dunhuang, China, create a unique annual fireworks display using molten iron to celebrate the lunar new year. The dangerous ceremony involves throwing molten iron up against a cold wall, creating a dazzling display of sparks. (PHOTO: Screenshot from Nightline ABC)

In China, people are wrapping up the celebration of the lunar new year. With a country as big and economically diverse as China you find many different traditions. I saw this next one on ABC News this morning.

In the old steel town of Dunhuang, blacksmiths have an annual New Year tradition of melting scrap iron and hurling the molten metal against the cold walls of the city, creating a dazzling display of sparks.

You can see the display, and Bob Woodruff’s explanation of the tradition, in this Nightline video:

“In the old days, fireworks were for the rich,” said one of the blacksmiths. “The poor only had [this tradition of] DaShuHua. We would collect extra scrap metal through the year to melt. We would keep collecting and collecting. Then we would splash it on the city walls. Then the molten metal ‘flowers’ would fly.”

“Back then you learned by watching,” said the blacksmith. “After you get burned the first time you learned quickly.”

It’s an extremely dangerous activity, so hazardous that few actually get to watch the display from close-by.

The first time I saw this I thought, geez, the Chinese have so much excess iron ore that they’re just throwing it around like confetti! But then I thought, what a beautiful way to celebrate a national holiday in a manner derived from your way of life. You can immediately detect the pride these men have in their profession, and admire the art they create in celebration.

“As the elders told us when we were young,” said the blacksmith. “Our life’s keep would be earned with fire.”

I took away not how different these men were from the iron and steel workers of America, but how similarly they held pride in their work. And look, their kids have firecrackers too!

Lately I’ve been turning over the notion that art has a way of uniting the hard labor of work with the joy of being alive. Something for us to consider here in the iron country of Northern Minnesota.

(And besides, every ton of iron frozen to the walls of Dunhuang isn’t headed to the United States on a ship in the form of cheap steel).

Comments

  1. This is incredibly interesting to read about! I love that the steel workers back then were able to find a way to make their own fireworks! I’m glad that they’ve used their craft and passion to create this beautiful site for all of us to enjoy!

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