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Fireworks and Drones | Fatbobman’s Swift Weekly #069
Weekly Comment
Fireworks and Drones
This year, I experienced a quieter Spring Festival than usual.
According to ancient Chinese legend, there was a mythical beast called Nian — a ferocious creature with long antennae that would terrorize humans. Every Lunar New Year’s Eve, as the old year gave way to the new, Nian would emerge to wreak havoc. However, the beast feared three things: the color red, flames, and loud noises. To ward it off, people would paste red couplets on their doors, set off firecrackers, and keep their lights burning throughout the night. This tradition evolved into what we now call “Guo Nian” (celebrating the New Year).
For Chinese people, the New Year has always been inseparable from the brilliance of fireworks and the lingering scent of sulfur in the air. In recent years, however, many cities have restricted firework displays for environmental and safety concerns. Even in my city, where fireworks were traditionally unrestricted, core urban areas faced new regulations this year. While the city has indeed grown quieter, something of the festive spirit seems to have dimmed with the silence.
With advances in drone technology, many celebrations now feature choreographed drone formations in place of traditional fireworks. The…
