Military fireworks of the Ming Dynasty

Section of the scroll painting 'Ru Bi Tu (《入蹕圖》)', depicting Emperor Shenzong's entourage launching firework rockets into the sky.

Fireworks originated in China during the last years of Northern Song Dynasty, centuries after the first weaponised use of gunpowder in China. While originally a civilian application of military technology, the bright flashes and loud salutes of these pyrotechnics had uses outside of celebration and recreation, so they were quickly re-militarised.

The primary military application of fireworks was communication. However, military fireworks also served more sinister purposes such as disorienting enemy troops or horses and starting fire.

Qi Huo (起火, lit. 'Rising fire')

Qi Huo was essentially a Chinese rocket without its arrowhead and warhead. It was usually employed for signalling purpose, but could also be used in place of live ammunition during military exercise as well.

Nowadays Qi Huo is better known as skyrocket or bottle rocket.

Huo Bao (火爆, lit. 'Firecracker')

Drawing of a Huo Bao (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Also known as Zhi Bao (紙爆, lit. 'Paper cracker') or Zhi Huo Bao (紙火爆, lit. 'Paper firecracker'), this small explosive device could produce a loud bang when ignited. Huo Bao could be used on its own as signalling device, or several Huo Bao could be loaded into other bombs to produce enemy-disorienting bangs. Some Huo Bao were even filled with deadlier versions of gunpowder, turning them into dangerous bomblets.

Ming arquebusiers also used firecrackers to produce fake gunshots in order to confuse their enemy.

Huo Shu (火鼠, lit. 'Fire mouse')

Drawing of a Huo Shu (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Also known as Huo Lao Shu (火老鼠), Fei Shu (飛鼠, lit. 'Flying mouse'), Di Shu (地鼠, lit. 'Ground mouse'), Di Lao Shu (地老鼠), and Fei Tu (飛兔, lit. 'Flying hare'), this firework moved in unpredictable patterns once ignited. Military version of Huo Shu, designed to start fire and cause confusion, was much more powerful and dangerous than the recreational version.

Some Huo Shu were also equipped with iron barbs that allowed them to catch onto any surface they touch.

Fei Yan (飛燕, lit. 'Flying swallow')

Drawing of a Fei Yan (highlighted), from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

Also known as Fei Yan Zi (飛燕子), this was a dangerous incendiary micro-rocket that flew in an unpredictable trajectory due to its lack of fins or stabilising stick. Similar to Huo Shu, it was also designed to start fire and cause confusion.

The outer shell of Fei Yan was made of flammable and sticky rosin that allowed it to stick to whatever surface it touches.