I remember growing up in Chinatown in Calgary, Canada and we always looked forward to New Years Eve when we would set off fireworks, (we called them firecrackers but more on the classifications later) and especially targeting cars that were stopped at the red lights. These weapons of noise were sold at the local Chinese grocery stores openly and for a few dollars, we kids could keep busy for the evening, attacking cars, setting off the noise makers in the alleys and throwing them at each other. It’s a wonder that we all survived without any severe injuries.

Fireworks were invented by the Chinese in the 7th century and although not the same as gunpowder, it is assumed that fireworks led to developing the stronger lethal cousin which is listed as one of China’s Four Great Inventions: the compass, papermaking, printing and gunpowder. European writers referred to fireworks as the “Chinese Flowers”. Perhaps that is why it is called Bian Hua which literally means a “braided flower”, since the trail of fireworks looks like a braid, similarly Bian Pao is a braided explosive or Pao Zhu explosive bamboo. The use of fireworks was believed that the noise and flares would scare off the evils spirits and allow good luck to enter. This is still the current Chinese culture and why you will see fireworks at family occasions of weddings, funerals and important occasions such as an office or business opening.

During the New Year or Spring Festival, businessmen will set off fireworks to bring good luck for the coming year’s business. If business is bad, they set off fireworks to improve business, if business is good, they will do the same to continue the trend. So there is always a reason to set off fireworks and for those that do not, they will have to suffer the consequences.

There are countless types of fireworks, the most common being the firecracker, which started as a bamboo loaded with gunpowder and inserting a fuse. These little rascals can be as small a pen refill only 2cm long or blockbusters that are the size of a dynamite stick. Firecrackers are also sold as a string or a package of many crackers fused together. Some strings have as many as 10,000 individual crackers and commonly used during the Chinese Lion Dance or Dragon Dance celebrations. Another common type of fireworks is called sparklers, which are handheld fireworks that burns slowly and emits different lights. You will see sparklers used as candles on a birthday cake. These are all considered “Consumer or Common Fireworks” and depending upon the country, are usually permitted.

The other popular types of fireworks are Roman Candles, Rockets and Flares and a category of ground fireworks. The first three are basically the same and use the principle of propulsion just like a jet or rocket. The original use of this rocket type was to deliver messages across enemy lines or command posts that were on protected high ground. The Roman Candles are usually small tubes that can be inserted in the ground then lit to fire a charge in the sky and explode a pattern of different colors. Although it is rare to see anyone in China take the precaution of setting these in the ground, they usually set them off while holding them in their hand and delight in having a 2 or 3 year old child set them off.

Rockets and Flares are usually larger than the hand held Roman Candles and can reach quite high altitudes and can set off multiple patterns of different colors. One rocket type is called a “Bottle Rocket” as it is set off in an empty bottle and the neck of the bottle will guide fireworks upwards. It’s hard to believe but there are fireworks of this type used in the Thailand Laos region during a Buddhist festival that can reach 20 meters long and is packed with up to 500kgs of powder! The Flares are also used in rescue and defense operations. Most boaters or mountain climbers that venture into remote areas will carry flares to show rescuers where they are located if they get lost. During night military operations, flares can be set off to see where the enemy is located.

Another recent new use of fireworks is at high traffic airports. The fireworks are set off to scare gathering birds that may interfere with airplanes landing and taking off. Just don’t try to take any explosives on your flight as it is considered a dangerous and restricted item.

Ground fireworks usually rely on the noise factor for entertainment and can display different colorful patterns. The spinning wheel and changing colors in a circular motion is popular and there are also fireworks that can display different words or patterns such as a happy face. The manufacturers are constantly coming out with new themes to attract consumers and demonstrate their marketing prowess. During this past Spring Festival, APEC style fireworks were sold, supposedly these were less polluting.

China is the largest manufacturer of fireworks in the world. There are several manufacturing centers in China but one of the largest is LiuYang city in the province of Hunan. When you see pictures of the scale of some of these plants, you can understand why when there is an industrial accident; there will be many casualties since they use highly flammable substances. These factory sites are located in remote areas and away from populated areas but accidents can occur during transportation or unsafe delivery. Have you ever noticed the retail tents selling fireworks in the city during Spring Festival? Look closely and you will see vendors and buyers smoking casually in the midst of these highly flammable products.

It is hard to believe that fireworks in China’s major cities were banned from the 1990’s to 2003. During this period, residents headed to the suburbs to have their fun and celebrate the age-old tradition of fireworks during Spring Festival to celebrate the coming year. If you were in Beijing or Tianjin in 2001, you will recall authorities looked the other way when the spontaneous display of fireworks exploded when it was announced that the 2008 Olympics were awarded to Beijing. During recent years, the firework displays during Spring Festival have diminished, as people are aware that exploding needless and excess amounts contribute to air and waste pollution. There are over 100 cities in China that completely ban setting off fireworks and many others that implement strict controls. But the implementation of controls in the rural areas is practically impossible. Each rural village will have its own custom of setting off fireworks but it is basically a month long event that starts before the first day of the Chinese lunar calendar and ends on the 15th day after the New Year which is the Lantern Day Festival.

The cost of fireworks is also a factor in diminished use. With the crackdown on Chinese fireworks factories to adhere to safety and environmental standards, the cost of fireworks has risen. This coupled with controlled retailing and shorter allowed periods of selling of fireworks, the prices of this product is higher than the past. In the past, when people could buy enough fireworks to have a decent time for a few hundred RMB, you now need to spend a few thousand. In the case of tradition, some municipalities will favor culture over environment. As such, during this year’s Spring Festival, the south China city of Shantou and went all out with fireworks displays in their city to bring in the New Year.

Another city in southern Taiwan which is infamous for their fireworks display is YanShui, which literally means Salt Water. It is an old port city, which suffered a cholera epidemic over a hundred years ago. In order to drive out the 20-year plague, the remaining residents helped to create a great fireworks display to drive out the evil spirits. This display was held during the Lantern Festival. It has been continued to this day. Spectators and local residents have to wear heavy clothing and motorcycle helmets and wet towels to protect themselves from injury by the flying projectiles. By the way, the cholera epidemic receded soon after the first fireworks display but now each year, many participants during this display are injured in spite of the extensive protective clothing worn.

However, even in the light of economics and environmental issues, fireworks in China probably have a guaranteed future due cultural traditions. Holidays such as Spring Festival, Qing Ming or Tomb Sweeping Day and Mid Autumn Festival count fireworks as an integral part of these events. Also family events such as weddings, funerals and birthdays will demand that fireworks be used. There have been some efforts to use recorded sounds of fireworks in place of the real thing, but this is generally frowned on by the public and it seems that the evil gods will not take this seriously. It does not meet up to the full experience of noise and pungent smell of the firecrackers in the middle of the street.

The issue of “face” or MianZi also plays a part in Chinese culture and various Chinese customs. The amount of fireworks expended for an event is considered a reflection on the person’s reputation. If a businessman demonstrates a spectacular display for a business opening or family event, friends and the public will be impressed. If there is a mediocre display, people may conclude that the person is not so serious about the business venture or does not respect the family member being honored. There is a growing sector of professional fireworks or referred to as Pyrotechnics. This includes public displays and entertainment venues, which mostly are outdoors but also some indoor performances. Professional companies orchestrate these and safety is a prime concern since the venues usually host large crowds. These displays are very extravagant and are becoming annual events including major competitions that are drawing spectators that number in the thousands. The New Years display in Victoria Harbor in Hong Kong is an example where you should book your rooms early and expect to pay a premium especially if you want a harbor view.

The 2008 Olympics was a spectacle of incredible fireworks for the opening and closing ceremonies and seems to have set the standard for such future public events. Every country now boasts about their own firework display if not for specific holidays, then associated with an evening closing or a firework competition.

For example, in Canada there are fireworks events on Canada Day July 1, Guy Fawkes Day, and Saint Jean Baptiste Day. There are also two fireworks competitions in Canada that are well known: L'International des Feux Loto-Québec, also known as the Montreal Fireworks Festival. It is a major international fireworks competition and the Symphony of Fire held annually over 3 days in Vancouver BC. In the United States no day is perhaps more associated with grand fireworks displays than the Fourth of July. New Year’s Eve is another night when fireworks light up the skies over America. Especially famous is the fireworks show on New Year’s Eve in New York City as a huge ball drops down at the moment that the New Year begins. Another annual American fireworks event is Thunder over Louisville. This fireworks show marks the beginning of the Kentucky Derby. When it comes to the production of fireworks displays two American companies top the list, one is Zambelli Fireworks, and another is Pyrotecnico, both of which are located in New Castle, Pennsylvania.

Interestingly the culture surrounding fireworks in the east and west is as with other things quite different. In China, with Tianjin included, most Chinese will link fireworks with not only tradition but good fortune. As mentioned above, the underlining belief that setting off fireworks brings good luck and wards off evil is deeply ingrained. So too is the need to make a statement in front of family, friends, and colleagues. In China typically bigger is always thought of as better. Therefore even in the face of higher costs, known safety issues, and other complications, fireworks remain popular in the east. The key is that the decision to buy fireworks still happens on a relatively “personal” level. Be it the boss of a small company or the leader of a large company, these individuals are simply not going to pass up the opportunity to make a big name for themselves by means of some type of big fireworks display. This is true with weddings, funerals and other events as well, where the Chinese set off fireworks.

When one compares “when” and “how” firecrackers are set off in the west, the differences in culture come to light pretty quick. For example, take July 4th which is Independence Day in the US. Most major fireworks displays are professionally produced. The event happens at a much larger level than any single person buying firecrackers and setting them off for their personal enjoyment or recognition. Again, look at the fireworks display for New Year’s Eve in New York. It is big, professional and done for the people, not so much by the people. The Thunder of Louisville has similar characteristics in being a professionally, highly coordinated event. It likewise goes way beyond the scope of many individual people going out and buying fireworks to be set off personally. In the west fireworks are associated with big events on big occasions managed by a big company.

In the east fireworks tend to be a more personal thing. Something someone does individually. In the west fireworks tend to be far more commercial. Something not someone, but some group, company or team does on behalf of a large crowd at a large event. Interestingly, most if not all of the attendees of the various spectacular fireworks displays in the west will never know “who” set off the fireworks on a personal level. These fireworks display will do little to nothing in terms of increasing any one individual’s good reputation or notoriety. In the east fireworks give the individual “face”. Whereas in the west the fireworks give the company responsible for producing it “face”. In actuality though, no one attending a fireworks show in the west is even thinking about “face”. They are just looking for a good time. In the east the events often accompanied by fireworks are all about culture and custom. In the west it is more about having a good time. This isn't to say those in the west don’t have culture or customs, but the vibe which surrounds them tend to be quite different.

When folks get married in the west, it is next to never that fireworks would be set off. This has a lot to do with the fact that fireworks are not typically bought and set off on the personal level. Not to mention a lot of folks in the west are very safety and legal conscious. The potential legal liability associated with purchasing and lighting fireworks in the west is extremely high. No one is looking to take on the responsibility of paying for medical bills or legal fees associated with a fire work related accident. These types of consequences bring with them far more long term financial and physical risks than any potential “good luck” gained from the setting off of fireworks. Not to mention in the west it would be hard to find someone that thinks fireworks have anything to do with success personally or professionally. Unless of course it is one of the fireworks displays companies listed above. On both a personal and professional level success is often thought far more as the result of hard work, good business acumen or having the right idea at the right time, versus relying on good luck. In terms of luck, people in the west will think of things like playing the lottery, winning a sweepstakes, or getting rich quick by some less than noble means.

Putting the cultural issues aside, east and west must face the harsh reality of the safety issues related to fireworks. As mentioned earlier, China has, at least on paper, taken some steps to restrict firework use. Especially is this true in major cities. For example this year in Tianjin there were specific dates and times when fireworks could be set off. While this was mostly related to concerns over air pollution control, there is no doubt that such policies helped in reducing firework related injuries. Hospitals are often quite busy with burn related injuries around various holiday seasons. Unfortunately this likely includes a lot of young children who are allowed to light off various fireworks. Even with the time and date restrictions, a number of people in Tianjin personally bought fireworks and set them off within their apartment complex courtyard or other various open spaces around town. As noted earlier, the culture surrounding Chinese and setting fireworks is very deep.

In the west fireworks are highly regulated. From the importation of them, to the possession of them, there are Federal and State laws governing when, where and how fireworks can be handled. There are some US states which outright ban fireworks at the individual consumer level. People have even been known to drive to other states which have more lax fireworks related laws to get the “rare” chance of buying some fireworks and setting them off personally. Again this typically has nothing to do with “good luck”, and everything to do with a “good time”. However the number of folks who go searching out for an opportunity to personally set off firecrackers is no great number. Do to all the legal and safety issues, fireworks are in general left to the professionals in the west. However, some small fireworks can be bought in some places. At various parades, fares, or other private social events, things like sparklers may be seen. Yet these of course pale in comparison to the types of fireworks available to the average Chinese citizen.

For expats who have spent some time in Tianjin, this year in comparison to past years, during the Spring Festival there were significantly less fireworks set off. In previous years, one could expect being kept up all night as around town tons of fireworks were booming. At that time Tianjin turned into a blasting zone, the night skies being full of flashes of light and loud explosions. It was hard to find anywhere quiet. This year however, while a few nights were somewhat loud, in general it was endurable. Not only was the overall volume of fireworks less, but the duration of time during which they were set off was less as well. Pretty much every night by the early morning about 1 or 2 am, things would quiet down enough to fall asleep. This is a huge step forward in allowing Tianjin residents a safe and civil place to live. While many Tianjiner’s have the custom of staying up all night on the night before the Chinese New Year, some simply cannot. For example, the Tianjin buses run everyday all year round. This includes the first day of the New Year. Some of these buses get going around 6 am or earlier. These bus drivers need a good night’s sleep!

Fireworks are indeed deeply entrenched in Chinese culture and customs. Seeing that gun powder is listed as one of China’s four great inventions, they are not shy when it comes to things that make noise. Fireworks grew in popularity throughout the east, so too in time they made it to the west and around the world. Fireworks are very prevalent in the celebration of many holidays, festivals, anniversaries, parties, grand openings, and other important events throughout various countries. As noted in the article above, how and when each country uses fireworks still has its differences. The things held in common though, are the increasing concerns around firework safety and environmental impact. China has begun to evolve into its firework culture as it has taken steps to reduce firework use to certain times and dates during the calendar year. As evidence of this, the time period leading up to, during and after Spring Festival the number of fireworks sales stations in Tianjin was noticeably less, accompanied by the reduced intensity and duration of fireworks displays.

Do less fireworks or at least the more controlled use of fireworks in Tianjin mean less fun? Not necessarily. As is evidenced in other areas where the laws and guidelines for fireworks are very strict, professional, and well coordinated fireworks can still draw a huge crowd. The 2008 Beijing Olympics is an example where a fireworks display managed and orchestrated by a trained team can still bring huge excitement for the audience, despite they themselves not setting off fireworks. Just imagine if during that huge display there were people personally setting off fireworks! Not only would it distract from the main event, but it would no doubt create greater security and safety risks. Perhaps as the trend seems to be worldwide, Tianjin will continue to keep fireworks a part of its culture and custom, while at the same time looking for ways to regulate use, and provide a safer environment for all residents.