Pic story: "Iron flower" folk art performance in N China's Hebei

2023-February-24 17:15 By: GMW.cn

"Iron flower", a folk art performance of throwing molten iron to create fireworks, has been a highlight of celebration during the Spring Festival since ancient times in Beiguanbao, Nuanquan Town, Wei County, north China's Hebei Province. It is believed that the folk originated in the Ming Dynasty, 500 years ago. Though fireworks have a long history in China, the poor in rural areas usually cannot afford them, even during the New Year celebration. The blacksmiths therefore get inspiration from the splashing of iron flowers. They found that when splashing 1600-degree molten iron on the wall of the fort, it could form a spectacular scene like fireworks, as the fiery molten iron splashes and blooms into a brilliant view.

Since then, it has become the rural people's tradition to celebrate the New Year in Nuanquan Town. "Iron flower" is not easy, but a unique skill that requires both experience and physical strength. It usually takes more than 1000 kilograms of scrap iron to stage a show. In the past, it not only took time for villagers and neighbors to make up the scrap iron, but also took time to collect hundreds of kilograms of broken iron and bluestone to be refined into molten iron in the furnace.

Performers of "iron flower" must be bold and high-skilled. When pouring molten iron, a wooden spoon made of willow roots is required to be soaked in water for three days in advance, then dried by warm fire, so that the spoon and its handle will not get burnt. When performing, performers wear sheepskin jackets and special "straw hats".

It is not easy to preserve the folk art of "iron flower". Now China has listed "iron flower" ("Dashuhua" in Chinese) on the national cultural heritage list, hoping to carry it forward and inherit it as a treasure of national culture.

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Photo shows Wang De, the thirteenth generation inheritor of "iron flower", who's almost 60 years old performing in Beiguanbao, Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. He used to be a local farmer. At the age of 15, he began to learn the "iron flower" skill from his father, Wang Yuwen. As he grew older, Wang De has become a master of this unique skill. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows Wang De, performing "iron flower" in Beiguanbao, Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows two performers performing "iron flower" in Beiguanbao, Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows a blast of molten iron lighting up the night sky of an ancient town in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows a blast of molten iron lighting up the night sky of an ancient town in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows "iron flower" falling from the sky like golden feathers in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows "iron flower" falling from the sky like golden feathers in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows "iron flower" blooming with rigidity as well as softness in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows "iron flower" blooming with rigidity as well as softness in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows "iron flower" blooming as the night falls in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows "iron flower" blooming as the night falls in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows shiny molten iron flowing down like a waterfall in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows shiny molten iron flowing down like a waterfall in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

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Photo shows Wang De demonstrating his lifelong pursuit as a performer of "iron flower" in Nuanquan Town, north China's Hebei Province. (Wang Weiguang/Guangming Picture)

Editor: WXY
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