Editor's Note:
Da Shuhua , or striking iron flowers, is a traditional folk practice which originated 500 years ago in the ancient town of Nuanquan, located in Yuxian county, Zhangjiakou, North China’s Hebei Province. Performers of Da Shuhua spray molten iron against a cold wall to create an array of sparks resembling the crown of a tree, thus earning it the name “Shuhua,” which can be literally translated as “tree flowers.” Molten iron used in a Da Shuhua performance must reach a temperature of more than 1000 degrees Celsius, so performers have to work quickly to prevent the melted metal from solidifying, especially during winter.
A Da Shuhua performer uses a sheepskin jacket, goggles, and bamboo hat for protection as they spray molten iron against a cold wall to create a colorful array of sparks. Photo: CFP 
A worker puts scrap iron into the furnace to prepare the molten metal. Over 500 kilograms of iron is required for a single Da Shuhua performance. Photo: IC 
A worker puts scrap iron into the furnace to prepare the molten metal. Over 500 kilograms of iron is required for a single Da Shuhua performance. Photo: IC 
A worker pounds the scrap iron to remove impurities before the melting process. The scrap iron is purchased each day at the local market. Photo: IC 
A worker continuously stirs the scrap iron in the furnace to speed up the melting process. Photo: IC 
A worker checks the wooden ladles made from willow roots that serve as the tools of Da Shuhua . In preparation for the performance the ladles are soaked in water for several days before being gradually dried over a fire to prevent them from burning up when they come into contact with the molten iron. Photo: IC 
A worker uses a steel bar to pick out impurities from the molten iron during the melting process. Photo: IC 
The melting process takes around half an hour, with molten iron emerging once the temperature hits around 1600 degrees Celsius. Workers have to maintain this temperature until the Da Shuhua show begins. Photo: IC 
Furnace workers prepare the fire before a Da Shuhua performance. Photo: IC 
A performer shows off his scars to illustrate the dangerous nature of Da Shuhua . Photo: IC 
A Da Shuhua performer uses a sheepskin jacket, goggles, and bamboo hat for protection as they spray molten iron against a cold wall to create a colorful array of sparks. Photo: CFP
