打铁花 | 非物质文化遗产

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“东风夜放花千树，更吹落，星如雨。”

“An easterly wind bathes the night in a floral scent, as thousands of trees are adorned with petals, showcasing a beauty that even the stars rain down upon.” 

#01

打铁花是中国古代匠师们在铸造器皿过程中发现的一种民俗文化表演技艺，始于北宋，盛于明清，至今已有千余年历史。通过特定的技艺和工具，将高温铁水击打向空中，使其在空中迸发出绚丽的火花，形成如同烟花般的壮观景象。

Iron Fireworks is a folk culture performance skill found by ancient Chinese craftsmen in the process of casting vessels, which began in the Northern Song Dynasty flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties, and has a history of more than 1,000 years. Through specific techniques and tools, the hot metal is hit into the air, so that it bursts into gorgeous sparks in the air, forming a spectacular scene like fireworks.

古时候，“打铁花”是工匠们的一种祭祀活动。遇到道教的重大庆典，道士们也会出钱出物，请工匠们“打铁花”，祈求国泰民安、五谷丰登。整个表演过程充满了神秘与惊险。打铁花多流传于黄河中下游地区，以河南、山西最为流行，其中开封打铁花更被誉为黄河流域十大民间艺术之首。2008年，河南省确山县申报的打铁花经国务院批准列入第二批国家级非物质文化遗产名录。

In ancient times, "iron fireworks" were a form of ceremonial ritual performed by skilled craftsmen. During major Taoist festivities, Taoist priests would contribute funds and materials to commission artisans for the execution of "iron fireworks," seeking blessings for national prosperity and abundant harvests. The entire spectacle was shrouded in mystique and peril. Iron Fireworks are widely spread in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, with Henan and Shanxi being the most popular regions. Among them, Iron Fireworks in Kaifeng is highly praised as the No. 1 folk art in the Yellow River Basin. In 2008, Iron Fireworks practised in Qucheng County, Henan Province, was approved by the State Council and listed on the second batch of the national intangible cultural heritage list.

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#02

在表演场地按照“一元、两仪、三才、四象、五行、八卦”搭建起一丈余高的四角大棚，称为“花棚”。花棚的顶端按照“金、木、水、火、土”等元素插满五色旗，再铺上一层新鲜的柳树枝，树枝上绑满各种烟花、鞭炮等。同时，在花棚顶部正中竖起一丈余高的杆子，称为“老杆”，“老杆”顶上绑上更大的 鞭炮、烟花等，称为“设彩”。

The performance venue according to the "one yuan, two instruments, three talents, four images, five elements, eight diagrams" set up a four-corner greenhouse more than ten feet high, called a "flower shed". The top of the flower shed is filled with five-colour flags with the elements of "gold, wood, water, fire, earth", and then a layer of fresh willow branches, and the branches are tied with all kinds of fireworks and firecrackers. At the same time, a pole more than ten feet high is erected in the middle of the top of the flower shed, called the "old pole", and the "old pole" is tied to the top of the larger firecrackers, fireworks, etc., called the "set colour".

熔化铁汁：在花棚旁边立一座熔化铁汁用的熔炉，用大风匣鼓风，将事先准备好的生铁化成铁汁待用。打铁花用的铁水需要达到1600℃～1700℃，即看到铁水迸出金花才行；注入铁汁：将熔好的铁汁注入事先准备好的圆形坑槽，通常这些坑槽位于特制的“花棒”上，即一根拳头粗细、一尺多长的新鲜柳树棒，棒的顶端掏有直径3厘米大小的圆形坑槽，用以盛放铁汁。

Melting iron juice: A furnace for melting iron juice is set up next to the flower shed, and a wind box is used to blast the prepared pig iron into iron juice. The hot metal used for Iron Fireworks needs to reach 1600 ° C ~ 1700 ° C, that is, to see the golden flower from the hot metal； Injection of iron juice: The molten iron juice is injected into the prepared round pit, usually these pits are located on the special "flower stick", that is, the size of a fist, more than a foot long fresh willow stick, the top of the stick is cut 3 cm diameter of the circular pit, to hold the iron juice.

打花者头戴反扣着的葫芦瓢（起防护作用），一手拿着盛有铁汁的“花棒”（也叫“上棒”），一手拿着未盛铁汁的“花棒”（也叫“下棒”），迅速跑至“花棚”下，用下棒猛击上棒，使棒中铁汁冲向花棚。打花者一棒接一棒，一人跟一人，铁汁遇到棚顶的柳枝而迸散开，又点燃棚上的鞭炮和烟花，造出一种火树银花、璀璨夺目的视觉效果。

The flower is wearing a gourd with the back button (protective effect), holding the "flower stick" with iron juice in one hand (also known as the "upper stick"), holding the "flower stick" without iron juice in one hand (also known as the "lower stick"), and quickly running to the "flower shed", using the lower stick to hit the upper rod, so that the iron juice in the rod rushes to the flower shed. One by one, one by one, the iron juice met the willow branches on the roof of the shed and burst out, and lit the firecrackers and fireworks on the shed, creating a kind of fire tree silver flower, bright and dazzling visual effect.

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#03

打铁花不仅是一种艺术表演形式，还蕴含着丰富的文化内涵。它象征着美好繁盛的愿景和人们对幸福生活的向往。同时，“打铁花”也寓意着吉利和事业发达兴旺，利用“花”与“发”的谐音取“打花打花，越打越发”之意。此外，打铁花还体现了劳动人民的智慧和勇气以及他们对传统文化的传承和创新精神。

Iron Fireworks is not only a form of artistic performance but also contains rich cultural connotations. It symbolizes the beautiful and prosperous vision and people's yearning for a happy life. At the same time, “Iron Fireworks” also means the auspiciousness and prosperity of the cause, using the homophonic sound of "flower" and "hair" to take the meaning of "percussion flower, more and more". In addition, Iron Fireworks also reflects the wisdom and courage of the working people and their spirit of inheritance and innovation of traditional culture.

一打政通人和、铁花献瑞       二打天降百福、神州同乐

三打风调雨顺、五谷丰登       四打平安康健、福寿延年

五打前程似锦、龙腾九天       六打和谐共生、四海一家

七打财源滚滚、金玉满堂       八打吉星高照、天地同晖

九打日月长明、华夏昌盛       十打天下大同、国泰民安

A multitude of government personnel and citizens offered iron flowers as a tribute.

Two dozen of the heavens' bounties and a hundred blessings descend, ushering in the prosperous era of Shenzhou Tongle.

Three dozen favourable climates, ensuring bountiful harvests.

Four dozens of safety and health, conferring a blessed life.

Five plays usher in a brilliant future, like the nine-day dragon's might.

Six dozens of harmonious coexistence, encompassing the four seas.

Seven dozens of abundance, flowing with gold and jade.

Eight dozens of fortunate stars shining bright, illuminating heaven and earth alike.

Nine dozens of eternal sun and moon, heralding the prosperity of Huaxia.

May the country remain peaceful, and its people thrive.

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#04

打铁花的原理主要基于物理学中的热传导和金属的导热性。当高温铁水被击打向空中时，其会迅速分散成微小的颗粒。由于金属具有导热速度快的特点，这些颗粒在空中会迅速燃烧、冷却并散热，转化为类似电焊火星的状态，其温度迅速降低，因此基本不会对人造成烫伤。此外，打铁花多在冬季进行，冬天气温低，更有利于铁花的快速冷却，从而进一步降低了烫伤的风险。

The principle of Iron Fireworks is mainly based on the heat conduction in physics and the thermal conductivity of metals. When hot iron is hit into the air, it quickly disperses into tiny particles. Because the metal has the characteristics of fast thermal conductivity, these particles will quickly burn, cool and dissipate heat in the air, which will be transformed into a state similar to electric welding Mars, and its temperature will be rapidly reduced, so it will not cause burns to people. In addition, the Iron Fireworks are mostly carried out in winter, and the winter temperature is low, which is more conducive to the rapid cooling of the iron flower, thus further reducing the risk of burns.

打铁花不仅是一种视觉上的盛宴，更是对物理学原理的巧妙应用，展现了古代工匠的智慧和技艺。同时，打铁花还蕴含着丰富的文化内涵和象征意义，如驱邪避害、祈福、兴旺繁荣等，是中国传统民间艺术中的瑰宝。

The Iron Firework is not only a visual feast but also a clever application of the principles of physics, showing the wisdom and skills of ancient artisans. At the same time, the Iron Firework also contains rich cultural connotations and symbolic significance, such as driving away evil, praying for good luck, prosperity, etc., and is the treasure of Chinese traditional folk art.

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#05

随着时代的变迁和科技的进步，打铁花这一传统技艺也在不断创新和发展。现代打铁花表演在保留传统技艺的基础上融入了更多的现代元素和科技手段，使得表演更加精彩纷呈、安全可靠。同时，打铁花也逐渐走出国门走向世界舞台成为展示中国传统文化的重要窗口之一。

With the changes in The Times and the progress of science and technology, the traditional craft of Iron Fireworks is also constantly innovating and developing. Modern Iron Firework performance integrates more modern elements and scientific and technological means based on retaining traditional skills, making the performance more wonderful, safe and reliable. At the same time, the Iron Firework has gradually gone out of the country to the world stage and become one of the important Windows to display Chinese traditional culture.

除此之外，博主九月使更多的人了解并学习了打铁花这一技艺。她特地探访了国家级非物质文化遗产“确山铁花”的传承人杨建军，准备从零开始学习。经过一个多月的练习，终于为人们献上了一场打铁花的盛宴！她说：“打铁花最难的不是技术，而是克服直面烈火的恐惧。”同时，她组建了一支“女子铁花队”，亲自教她们打铁花，希望能让更多的人学习打铁花，让打铁花传承下去。

In addition, the blogger made more people know and learn the art of Iron Firework in September. She especially visited Yang Jianjun, the inheritor of the national intangible cultural heritage "Chishan Tiehua", ready to learn from scratch. After more than a month of practice, we finally presented a feast of Iron Firework for people! "The hardest thing about Iron Firework is not the technique, but overcoming the fear of facing the fire," she said. At the same time, she formed a "women's iron flower team" and personally taught them Iron Fireworks, hoping to let more people learn Iron Fireworks and let Iron Fireworks be passed down.

打铁花不仅是传统民间表演艺术的一种形式，还包含了中华民族五千年传承下来的柔情和智慧。它起源于古代的冶炼技术，经过千余年的传承和发展，已经成为一种深受人们喜爱的民俗文化表演。通过观赏打铁花表演，我们可以感受到古人对生活的热爱和追求，也可以从中汲取勇气和力量，面对生活中的挑战和困难。 

It is not only a form of traditional folk performing art but also contains the tenderness and wisdom inherited by the Chinese nation for five thousand years. It originated from ancient smelting technology, after thousands of years of inheritance and development, and has become a popular folk cultural performance. By watching the performance, we can feel the ancient people's love and pursuit of life, and can also draw courage and strength from it to face the challenges and difficulties in life.