Happy Fourth of July!
We’re going to take a break from our regularly scheduled content to bring you the ultimate fireworks jargon guide in honor of the holiday! While Rhythm EFX doesn’t provide outdoor pyrotechnics, we sure do appreciate them. As long as they’re executed safely and legally, fireworks are a beautiful way to light up the sky.
If you don’t want to spend this year pointing at the sky and going “I like that big one!” or maybe you’re trying to impress your crush, read our blog on fireworks names and terms. That way you’ll sound like a pyrotechnic pro when you say, “those mines paired with that battery of peonies and dahlia were expertly planned and looked gorgeous!”
Types Of Fireworks
Bombette
These are going to be fireworks you think of most often or that you draw with the big bright star shooting straight up before exploding into a shower of tiny stars with tails following them.
Brocade
Like the queen herself would wear, brocade fireworks create an ornate looking crown with a large, bright circle in the middle with a veil of fiery stars falling around the entire circumference.
Chrysanthemum
An old and beautiful flower, but also a full and fiery display. A cousin to peony fireworks, these displays have a floral pattern of exploding into a big colorful flower.
Comet
A set of brilliant stars that streak across the sky like a collection of… well, comets.
Crackle
Also known as “dragon eggs” the crackle fireworks are an effect that makes a crinkle/crackle sound in the sky and displays a collection of exploding micro stars!
Crossette
Those fireworks that start normal (peony) and you think, “aww boring” but then all the stars explode into a bunch of tiny, divided, microstars that scatter in every direction and you’re hooked back into the show.
Dahlia
Similar to chrysanthemums and peonies, dahlia fireworks explode into a bright colorful flower but rarely do the stars have a tail and in general they don’t remain visible for very long.
Diadem
Another type of peony, this floral firework has a glittering center of sky that remains visible as the stars explode out into a flower.
Falling Leaves
After exploding in a bright, tight sphere, the stars space out and crawl away from each other creating a swarm of color that gently suspends itself in space like a cluster of giant fireflies.
Flying Fish
A lot like falling leaves, the flying fish explode in the same way except that they spread and sprinkle around in the sky like a school of fish swimming towards food.
Glitter
The stunning after effect of a firework whereas the stars of one firework fades, more stars appear as glitter, becoming shiny and sporadic, almost as if you were watching something “glitter” in cosmetics or clothes.
Palm Tree + Rising Tail
These two fireworks are rarely seen one without the other. The palms make an open falling pattern that looks like the leaves of a palm tree spreading out. On the way up though, a rising tail make a fiery streak upwards, mimicking the image of a tree trunk.
Pearls
These are bright balls of color that shoot up in a cascading effect and burn out after reaching their peak. These are the kind of simple but exciting fireworks that might remind you of the old, extravagant performances in movies with long dance numbers, synchronized swimmers, beautiful people.
Peony
The staple fireworks of any great show, you can’t talk about fireworks without mentioning this one. With a number of different variations, peonies are intense, colored spheres that are normally shot off in a barrage of light.
Pistil
The word “pistil” is another name for the inner stem of a flower so it should be no surprise when I tell you that these fireworks look like smaller peonies with a glittering star explosion while colored stars with long tails shoot out of the flower.
Serpent
Also commonly called “tourbillion” (no, not like the watch) these stars spin across the sky making curly cue patterns with white, silver, or gold lights.
Willow
Probably your mom’s favorite, these aerial stars is a giant, golden explosion that makes a willow tree in the sky that seems to fall forever. A true willow effect has golden trails that continue to fall for at least ten seconds.
We love pyrotechnics and it seems as though everyone turns into a bit of a pyromaniac around Independence Day. That means it’ll be easy to find someone to impress with your new knowledge! If you do decide to play with fireworks this year be sure to stay safe and follow all the laws. Stay tuned for more blogs about the best summer festival displays this year, indoor pyrotechnics, and the best props for a show that you won’t want to miss!