Roman candles are long tubes of fireworks that shoot stars or balls high into the air and are often a staple of firework displays. They come in a wide variety of shapes, heights and effects, from just a few shots to hundreds. They can also vary in length from a foot to over a yard, as well as how many shots they contain and whether or not they include a “loop” or other effect.
A roman candle is a type of single-tube firework device consisting of a black powder lift charge and pyrotechnic stars, with a delay charge in the bottom of the tube. When the fuse is lit, the topmost star is ignited, which then burns and explodes, propelling the rest of the pyrotechnic stars upwards. The delay charge slows down the process, so that a few of the stars are shot before the last one is launched.
In modern times, what is a roman candle? are sold with different propellant charges and colors, and in different lengths. Some are even multi-shot candles that shoot more than one star into the sky at once. The most common type of roman candle uses potassium nitrate (aka dynamite) as the lifting charge, which is poured over the pyrotechnic stars and then ignited with a fuse at the end of the roman candle. This gives the fireworks a longer, more dramatic finale than if the star was shot off of the roman candle immediately after ignition.
The name “roman candle” comes from the fact that in ancient Rome, these firework devices were actually used to burn people – specifically Christians who refused to recant their faith. In a very morbid reversal of a biblical story, the Roman emperor Nero would enslave Christians, chain them to poles, smear them with pitch oil, and then set them on fire for the enjoyment of his personal audience.
Like any firework, roman candles can cause serious injuries if misused, and in some cases, even death. They should never be pointed directly at another person and should always be used only with adult supervision. They are especially dangerous when participants engage in roman candle battles, which are often seen on YouTube as a fun way for young adults to fight with each other. However, these firework battles can result in significant property damage, injuries and even death.
When participating in a roman candle war, make sure you are far enough away from other people to avoid injury. Also, remember that the roman candle will expel an uncontrollable ball of flame and fireballs after being ignited. If these hit an innocent bystander, they can cause injuries similar to those caused by stray bullets. In addition, if your roman candles hit a vehicle or structure, you could be facing an assault or personal injury lawsuit for damages. If you’re planning a roman candle battle, consider making a safe target out of a large piece of cardboard. This will help to minimize potential injuries and property damage.