A painting depicting a fireworks display during the Nguyen Dynasty at Ngo Mon Gate.

Looking back at historical records, the accounts are often very brief, only mentioning the burning of fireworks, or the burning of cotton trees (a type of large fireworks), without describing in detail the shape or the way they were displayed. Therefore, it is not easy to imagine the fireworks display in the Hue imperial palace today.

In 1835, on the occasion of Emperor Minh Mạng's birthday, the court held a banquet for the officials, watched the Bát Dật dance, and performed traditional opera at Duyệt Thị. The following day, the Emperor watched fireworks and the Bài Bông dance in front of the Nam Đài, hoisted celebratory flags on the Kỳ Đài, and lit 1,000 ceremonial lanterns. In 1839, a new regulation was issued: Before celebratory events, tents had to be erected in the training grounds in front of the Imperial City for three days of entertainment. Rituals such as the Bát Dật dance, the burning of ceremonial flowers, and the lantern dance remained as before. This was a rare instance where the court clearly stated how to organize festive activities for officials and soldiers.

These records show that fireworks displays during the Nguyen dynasty were a grand and elaborate festival, but details about their colors and shapes are not described in official historical texts. Therefore, a valuable source for visualizing the fireworks display lies in the poetry of Emperor Minh Mang.

The poem "Viewing the fireworks display, spontaneously composing a poem, each line subtly depicting a type of firework" is recorded in the Imperial Poetry Collection, Volume 4, pages 18b and 19a. This is a special poem: Each line cleverly incorporates the name of a type of firework, allowing modern readers to quite clearly visualize the shape and effects of fireworks during the Nguyen Dynasty. The original text of the poem is as follows:

The cherry blossoms bloom naturally in the sky.

Clouds and mist fill the red river, the fields stretch endlessly.

Falling to the ground, panicked like scattered stars.

Without hesitation, he did not panic.

A magnificent, chaotic scene of dragons and snakes fleeing.

The shock was deafening, like a thunderclap.

The temple's misty sky never sleeps.

The qi of death permeates the golden city.

Translate the poem:

The sky burst forth with a string of shimmering pearls.

Pink and cloudy mists change color and shape.

Stars shattered and fell in a flash.

The rain falls, echoing the sound of the falling leaves in the distance.

Winding and curving, shining with a fiery red glow,

The thunder rumbled and shook my heart.

A hazy, smoky night, sleepless.

The golden-purple hues shone brightly throughout the imperial capital.

After each sentence, King Minh Mạng added a description of the different types of fireworks: Flower-piercing fireworks: fireworks that burst in a chain; Meteor fireworks: fireworks that fly in streaks of light, sparkling like stars; Golden spark fireworks: fireworks that explode creating golden sparks; Ascending fireworks: fireworks that fly straight; Flying mouse fireworks: fireworks that fly like arrows; Bamboo-blowing fireworks: fireworks that create leaves like bamboo leaves, with a loud explosion; Smoke and fire fireworks: fireworks that spray smoke and fire; Golden flower fireworks: fireworks with the effect of purple and yellow flowers.

Reading the poem, we feel as if we are standing amidst a vibrant and dazzling night festival in the Hue Imperial City of the early 19th century. King Minh Mang not only describes the light of the fireworks, but also recreates the entire atmosphere of movement and stillness, light and darkness, near and far: “Heavenly Flower of Light”: fireworks burst into a chain of light like Buddhist necklaces – a classical image; “Dispersed Starlight”: fireworks fall like shooting stars – both beautiful and slightly overwhelming; “Dragon and Snake Tracing”: streaks of fire winding like dragons and snakes, a vivid and painterly image; “Thunderbolt Roar”: the thunderous explosion, clearly showing the grandeur and ferocity of the imperial fireworks; “Purple and Gold Light Illuminating the Golden City”: purple and gold light illuminating the capital – evoking the radiant feeling of a grand celebratory night.

In particular, the fact that each line subtly mentions a type of fireworks demonstrates both scholarly skill and Minh Mạng's fondness and meticulous attention to this art form. As a result, the poem becomes a unique document about the types of fireworks used during the Nguyễn Dynasty, which are not described in detail in historical texts.

Through King Minh Mạng's poem, we can vividly imagine the magnificent fireworks displays during grand ceremonies in the imperial city of Huế. While historical records only provide a very brief account, the poem gives us a complete picture of the scene: brilliant light, changing colors, resounding explosions, and swirling smoke and flames... A vivid portrayal of court rituals, and also a testament to the artistic soul of this renowned and highly exemplary king of the Nguyễn dynasty.

Nguyen Phuoc Hai Trung

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/van-hoa-nghe-thuat/xem-phao-hoa-qua-tho-vua-minh-mang-162716.html