Firecracker Dragon Bombing Ritual

• Prize
  Honorable Mention
• Photographer
  Bernie Hsu, Taiwan

Every year during the Lantern Festival, a spectacular folk ritual ignites the streets of Taiwan — the Firecracker Dragon Bombing (火旁龍). Thousands of firecrackers are tightly wrapped around dragon effigies — and even the bodies of brave performers.

Once ignited, the air explodes into thunderous blasts and sparks, as fire rains down upon the dragon. This intense ritual symbolizes the driving away of evil spirits and misfortune, clearing the path for a new year of prosperity.

The more firecrackers, the stronger the explosion — and the greater the fortune.