Are Fireworks Made in China?
If you’ve ever paid attention to the packaging on fireworks, you might have noticed something intriguing: almost every type of firecracker or firework proudly bears the label “Made in China.” In fact, over 90% of the fireworks set off around the world originate in China.
China dominates the global fireworks trade, accounting for 80% of all international exports. It’s no exaggeration to say that if China ever halted its fireworks exports, hundreds of millions of people across the globe would be left without the joy of seeing a single spark light up the night sky.
The Legacy Behind “Made in China” Fireworks
The global prominence of China fireworks is deeply rooted in the country’s rich cultural traditions. Just like the Chinese New Year customs, the practice of setting off firecrackers dates back more than 2,000 years.
Almost every child in China has heard the legendary tale of people using fire and loud bangs to scare off a mythical beast called “Nian.” Ancient texts still preserve vivid accounts of these traditions:
In the past, travelers in the mountains would build campfires at night—both for warmth and to ward off wild animals. However, a peculiar creature that feared neither humans nor fire would often sneak in to steal food. To counter it, people began throwing bamboo into the flames. The bamboo would heat and burst with loud cracks, scaring the animal away.
This creature, known as Shan Sao, was believed by ancient Chinese to cause fevers and illness—essentially a symbol of disease or evil spirits. Driving it away was seen as a way to restore health and safety.
Fireworks as a Symbol of Good Fortune
Before people had scientific explanations for natural phenomena, they expressed their hopes through rituals and beliefs. Fire was thought to dispel bad luck and ward off malevolent forces. Loud explosions were said to frighten ghosts and dissolve evil energy. The rising flames of fireworks symbolized positive yang energy ascending to the heavens, balancing out dark yin forces.
It was this spiritual and cultural foundation that led early Chinese inventors to develop fireworks. By combining saltpeter (potassium nitrate) with other ingredients, and drawing from Taoist alchemy techniques, they created the earliest versions of fireworks. Over time, these evolved into a full-fledged industry and became a major export, lighting up skies around the world.
The Fireworks Capital of China: Liuyang
You may have heard of the famous Liuyang fireworks. The International Fireworks Association (IFA) is headquartered in Liuyang, a city proudly known as the “hometown of China fireworks.”
Renowned for its exquisite designs, vibrant colors, and reliable quality, Liuyang has earned the saying: “Liuyang fireworks amaze the world.”
The Unique Craftsmanship of Chinese Fireworks
China’s fireworks legacy stretches back over two millennia. According to historical texts such as Wulin Jiushi and Xihu Laoren Fansheng Lu, fireworks in the Song Dynasty were already categorized into large aerial displays and smaller ground-level effects. As time went on, varieties multiplied and production techniques became more sophisticated.
Interestingly, the earliest firecrackers did not use gunpowder. They were made from bamboo stalks, which would burst when heated, producing loud crackling sounds due to the expansion of trapped air. These were known as baozhu or “exploding bamboo,” and by the Tang Dynasty, they were also called baogan or “exploding poles.”
Fireworks, initially known as yanhuo (literally “smoke fire”), emerged alongside firecrackers. The principle was simple: paper or clay casings filled with combustible powders that would produce flames, sparks, or vivid imagery when ignited. Different chemical compositions generated different colors and effects.
What makes China fireworks so compelling today is their seamless blend of ancient craftsmanship with modern innovation, constantly evolving to meet the demands of a global market.
About PyroNexa
PyroNexa is a trusted China fireworks manufacturer committed to delivering premium fireworks to global markets. With a focus on safety, innovation, and cultural heritage, PyroNexa upholds the traditions of Chinese pyrotechnics while pioneering new designs and technologies for modern displays. As a proud ambassador of China’s fireworks legacy, PyroNexa continues to light up the skies—safely, beautifully, and globally.