Can you believe that fireworks have actually been around for over 2000 years? Yup, they were invented a couple of centuries before Christ was even born. And even though fireworks have such a long history, people still come up with all sorts of superstitions about them over the generations. Here are five of the most famous superstitions about fireworks and firecrackers.
Firecrackers Scare Away Evil Spirits
Many cultures believe that firecrackers and fireworks have the power to scare away evil spirits during celebrations and festivals. The loud noise and bright flashes of light are thought to frighten spirits and demons, keeping them away from people enjoying the festivities. This superstition goes back centuries, originating in ancient China and spreading through Asia and other parts of the world.
The belief likely stems from the fact that firecrackers produce a startling, explosive sound and burst of light that can startle humans and animals alike. To people in past eras who did not understand the science behind fireworks, this reaction likely seemed like proof that evil spirits would also be frightened away.
The loud bangs mimic the sounds of thunder and lightning, which have long been associated with warding off malevolent forces. The bright flashes imitate the cleansing flames of purifying fire, symbolically burning away evil and negativity. Firecrackers create chaos and confusion that disorients and scares all the evil spirits off.
Not all spirits are bad, though. Firecrackers are also thought to grab the attention of friendly ancestral spirits and invite them to join the festivities. Your deceased loved ones may visit to bring blessings and good fortune in the new year.
Good Luck And Prosperity
According to legend, fireworks are all about spreading good fortune and prosperity. Lighting firecrackers during celebrations is thought to scare away evil spirits and misfortune, clearing the way for a lucky new year. The louder and more powerful the fireworks, the further the bad luck flees!
The color red, found in many fireworks, is considered especially auspicious. Red fireworks symbolize vitality, happiness, and good luck. Seeing red fireworks lighting up the sky is a sign that the next year will be filled with joy and success.
Fireworks also represent wealth and abundance since they were once a lavish display that only the wealthy could afford. Even today, extravagant fireworks shows are a way to spread feelings of affluence and good fortune.
Last but not least, the smoke from fireworks is said to carry wishes and prayers up to the heavens. So when you see smoke swirling into the night sky, make a wish – it just might come true!
Loud Fireworks Ensure A Fruitful Harvest
According to folklore, the loud bangs and cracks of fireworks frighten away mischievous spirits that could damage crops or make people sick. In many cultures, especially those with an agricultural history, fireworks were set off at the start of the harvest season or during important festivals to ward off these spirits. The noise and smoke were meant to confuse and frighten the spirits, driving them away from villages and farmland.
Some believed the spirits caused disease and pestilence, so fireworks also ensured the health and safety of the community in the coming year. The more noise and chaos, the more effective the fireworks were thought to be in scaring away threats. In a way, loud and vibrant fireworks displays were seen as a symbolic cleansing of the land to make way for a prosperous, growing season.
365 Days of Positivity
Many people believe that setting off fireworks on New Year’s Eve brings good luck and prosperity for the following year. This is an example of a popular superstition rooted in symbolism and tradition. Fireworks represent noise, light, and color bursting into the sky – a literal explosion of energy and transformation marking the end of one year and the beginning of another. The fireworks act as a symbolic purging of negativity from the old year and a fresh start for the new year filled with hope and possibilities.
The tradition of setting off fireworks on New Year’s Eve dates back centuries and has spread across cultures. The belief that the noise and light from fireworks can ward off evil spirits and bad luck likely contributed to the custom. Over time, the act of lighting fireworks on the last night of the year became associated with bringing good fortune in the year ahead.
The colorful spectacle in the night sky creates an atmosphere of joy, celebration, and new beginnings that people hope will carry forward into the next 365 days.
Prosperous Future For Newlyweds
If firecrackers are set off at a wedding, it signifies a long and happy marriage for the new couple. The loud noises are meant to scare away any lingering evil spirits that may disrupt the harmony between the bride and groom. The longer the firecrackers continue to pop, the more years of wedded bliss and good fortune the new husband and wife will have.
This popular superstition stems from the belief that evil spirits and misfortune can be warded off by loud sounds and bright lights. Firecrackers create plenty of noise and flashes, so they are commonly used in traditional Chinese weddings and other celebrations to ensure prosperity and longevity. Though this is an old folk belief, many modern couples still continue this tradition to honor their cultural heritage.
Do You Believe In Superstitions?
While these beliefs emerged from folklore and tradition, not science, many people still find them fun to pass down as part of cultural celebrations each year. Whether or not you actually believe breaking a mirror will bring you seven years of bad luck or making a wish on a firework and thinking the smoke carries it up to the universe, superstitions can still be fun things.
If you are planning to enjoy some fireworks this year, please be careful out there. I know fireworks are super fun to play with, but they can also go bad really fast if you’re not careful!
