- Catherine wheel (firework)
The Catherine wheel (also Catharine wheel, pinwheel) is a type of
firework consisting of a powder-filled spiral tube, or an angled rocket mounted with a pin through its centre. When ignited, it rotates quickly, producing a display of sparks and coloured flame.The firework is named for the wheel on which St. Catherine was martyred.
In Malta, Catherine wheels are very popular, and in Maltese, they call them "Irdieden". The most known place for Catherine wheels is Haz-Zebbug, where they fill a whole road with them, from small wheels, to large, complex gear work. Different types of wheels - including "timed," "gearwork," and "simple" - last for different durations.
The most common Catherine Wheel, which feasts with low budget use, is the 5 wheel piece, which consists of 4 wheels placed in a form of a cross, and one in the middle. Another favourite one is the star piece. It is usually big, 4 meters in diameter, and 8 shaped diamonds or usually 10 rotate on a base, which create an opening and closing star effect.
Malta is known for its fireworks abilities, both ground and air. In fact, the fireworks factory of Santa Marija of Mqabba, well known in Malta for its beautiful fireworks displays, won a competition in Rome, Caput Lucis, competing against fireworks factories around the world, including Japan, China and Italy.
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