These metalworkers in Nanning, southern China, smash molten iron to create an explosion of sparks overhead.

By hitting the molten metal, sparks fly out in different directions resembling a flower.

The performance has a long history and locals believe it drives away evil spirits.

This footage was filmed and produced 23 January 2023.

Two masters perform the folk art of "beating iron flowers" in Nanning, South China's Guangxi Zhuang autonomous region, Jan 23, 2023.

Attract a large number of public and tourists to watch. Under the night, one man scooped out the molten iron and threw it up. One man beat the iron into the air with a wooden board. The molten iron quickly broke apart, forming a shocking picture more than ten meters high.

It is known that "percussion flower" is known as the oldest fireworks, which began in the Northern Song Dynasty and flourished in the Ming and Qing Dynasties. It is a folk stunt that has been passed on for thousands of years in China. It is mostly spread in the middle and lower reaches of the Yellow River, and is most popular in Henan and Shanxi.

With a long history of folk custom, the activity forms are concentrated and unique, the operation process is thrilling and exciting, and the performance effect is rich and colorful. It is called "Iron flower for thousands of years", which is a kind of hearth fire blessing method for folk to "drive away evil spirits and naji and pray for abundant crops". "Tiehua" has been listed as a national intangible cultural heritage.