Roman candle - Definition and Overview

This article is about the type of fireworks. For the 1994 album by Elliott Smith, see Roman Candle (album).

Roman candles are a type of fireworks, with long, thick paper tubes that contain layers of "stars" and lifting charges.

A roman candle is constructed by the following method:

1. load a layer of bentonite clay into the tube to close off the end.
2. load a layer of lifting charge.
3. load a pyrotechnic star.
4. cover the assembly with a dusting of black powder.
5. load a layer of delay powder.
6. repeat until tube is full

There are several variations on this:

• Many Chinese roman candles use clay instead of delay powder and run a length of fuse down the inside of the candle to time the lifts.
• Larger roman candles will usually add more lift to the highest layers and less to the lower layers in order to cause the stars to lift to the same altitude.
• Some really large candles will load comet shells instead of stars.
• The low speed of the star has made candle wars possible. Each player gets a candle and shoots stars from across a field at other players. Close range shots do not allow for dodgeing. Don't use shotgun type candles.