The origin of hunuan Liling fireworks

Liling is one of the main fireworks production areas in China and the hometown of Li Tian, the founder of the fireworks industry. From the original "firecrackers" to modern firecrackers and fireworks, their production technology, product art, and scope of use are all in line with national customs and habits. Humanistic education, literature and art are closely linked and influence each other, forming a unique fireworks culture.

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The origin of Liling fireworks can be traced back to the Tang Dynasty. According to legend, in the early years of the Tang Dynasty, a plague was prevalent between Wu and Chu. Li Tian filled bamboo tubes with gunpowder and set them off in his hometown of Mashi Village. He used the air waves and gunpowder smoke generated during the explosion to disperse the miasma and control the spread of the disease. He also served as a "destroyer of ghosts and evil spirits" for Emperor Taizong Li Shimin of the Tang Dynasty. ". Because Li Tian was the first to use gunpowder for "firecrackers", he is revered as the founder of the fireworks industry and is called Li Tian's Master. This Li Tian was from Liling, Hunan. Later generations improved the firecrackers, using paper tubes instead of bamboo tubes, changing single shots into continuous blasts, and developed colorful and brilliant fireworks. Since then, fireworks have gradually formed a large-scale industry, bringing huge financial resources to many fireworks production areas, and Liling has become a prosperous place in the south of the Yangtze River.This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/the-origin-of-hunuan-liling-fireworks/

According to historical records, "The production of firecrackers in Hunan began in the Tang Dynasty and developed in the late Song Dynasty and the Qianlong period of the Qing Dynasty... Pingjiang, Liuyang, and Liling... in eastern Hunan are all firecracker manufacturing centers." It has a history of more than 1,300 years.This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/the-origin-of-hunuan-liling-fireworks/

The earliest fireworks production area in Liling is Masi and the adjacent Fuli and Tongtang areas. During the Xianfeng and Tongzhi years of the Qing Dynasty, the production area expanded to Nanqiao, Baitutan, Xianshi, Pukou, and Wangfang, and was connected with Liuyang Jingang, Dayao, Pingxiang Shangli and other areas to form a concentrated production area. During the Guangxu period of the Qing Dynasty, Liling fireworks began to be exported overseas. After liberation, fireworks developed into one of Liling's two pillar industries. The heyday of Liling's fireworks was in the mid-1980s. There were more than 400 fireworks manufacturers in the city, employing more than 120,000 people, and its output value ranked second in the country. , second only to Dongguan, Guangdong.This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/the-origin-of-hunuan-liling-fireworks/

The custom of setting off fireworks in Liling has strong local characteristics. Firecrackers are mostly used in weddings and funerals, important gatherings, opening celebrations, four o'clock and eight festivals, worshiping ancestors and gods, welcoming guests and seeing off guests, etc. They are widely used and used in large quantities. Especially traditional festivals, weddings and funerals are the most common.This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/the-origin-of-hunuan-liling-fireworks/

In the old days, starting from December 24th of the twelfth lunar month of the first year to "celebrate the small year" and "send off to the Kitchen God", the fireworks became increasingly intensive; by New Year's Eve, they reached a climax. From worshiping water gods and family gods, "offering the New Year", "saying goodbye", "dividing the new year", eating "New Year's Eve dinner", "receiving the Kitchen God" to "sacrifice to the heavens", "going out of heaven" and "Guan Caimen" the next day ", "Open the door to wealth", firecrackers and fireworks all night long. During the Spring Festival, when guests come and go, firecrackers are set off to greet them. During the first month, dragon lanterns, lion lanterns, and clam shell lanterns are played, and firecrackers are set off to add to the lively atmosphere. Firecrackers are set off on the second day of the first lunar month, "Kai Ya", the fifth day of the lunar month, and the "Shang Qi" day of the seventh day. On the 15th day of the Lantern Festival, thousands of lights and firecrackers and fireworks complement each other. "The moon cannot shine, and the dew cannot fall." " General. The Waking of Insects day heralds the awakening of insects and ants from hibernation. Farmers pray to reduce pest infestations and set off firecrackers both indoors and outdoors, chanting: "Jinging of Insects, Waking of Insects, the explosion will make the insects and ants stand straight!". Since then, firecrackers will be set off during the Qingming Festival, Dragon Boat Festival, Poguan, Zhongyuan, Mid-Autumn Festival, Double Ninth Festival, Beginning of Winter and other seasons, as well as on the first and fifteenth day of every month, when worshiping ancestors or gods.This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/the-origin-of-hunuan-liling-fireworks/

After liberation, the custom of setting off fireworks changed accordingly with the development and changes of society. When holding rallies on New Year's Day, Women's Day on March 8th, Labor Day on May 1st, Children's Day on June 1st, the Party's birthday on July 1st, Army Day on August 1st, and National Day on November 1st, all Firecrackers are set off; firecrackers are also set off at the opening and closing ceremonies of important meetings, and firecrackers are often fired during the playing of the national anthem and completion of ceremonies. This has become a habit. On the contrary, there are fewer firecrackers set off during lunar festivals than in the old days, and they are only set off during the Spring Festival, Lantern Festival, and Hungry Ghost Festival. And a large number of fireworks were set off. Since the reform and opening up in the 1980s, with the improvement of people's living standards, the custom of setting off firecrackers and fireworks has also undergone some changes. Firecrackers and fireworks are set off to celebrate the opening of enterprises and stores, as well as the foundation laying and completion of key projects, especially during weddings and funerals, moving to a new home, and the Spring Festival. Before the New Year's Eve dinner, at midnight during the Spring Festival, every household in urban and rural areas sets off firecrackers and fireworks. In particular, the sound of firecrackers in the urban area lasted for more than half an hour, and the fireworks also came and went, creating a unique scene.This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/the-origin-of-hunuan-liling-fireworks/ This article comes from: https://fireworkslit.com/Fireworkslit-https://fireworkslit.com/the-origin-of-hunuan-liling-fireworks/