As the sun sets, casting a warm glow over the horizon, the distant mountains fade into shadow. In Badi Village, anticipation fills the air as locals await the night. When darkness falls, villagers invite tourists to join them around the bonfire, singing and dancing in unison, praying for a prosperous year and a bountiful harvest. In this moment, it feels as though all their worries dissolve into the flames. This marks the begin‐ning of the “Fire Phoenix,” a performance that left a profound impression on me during this year’'s New Year’s Eve.
By pure chance, I learned about the Fire Phoenix performance scheduled in Badi Village of Pingnan County on the sixth day of the lunar new year. Since it wasn’t far from my home, I hopped on my electric bicycle and made my way there. Upon reaching the viewing area, I witnessed the villagers extinguishing the bon‐fire. They skillfully smashed the burned char‐coal with tree branches before loading it into fire baskets. These baskets were then hung at each end of a bamboo pole. As the pole began to spin, scattered sparks erupted, gradually form‐ing a mesmerizing golden arc in the night sky.
The bamboo pole rotated faster and faster, releasing a dazzling array of sparks that splashed in all directions, outlining a majestic phoenix with its wings spread wide against the dark canvas above. At times, the phoenix hov‐ered low; at others, it soared high, showcasingits fiery wings and shimmering tail feathers, captivating everyone present.
The wooden houses of Badi Village are vulnerable to fire. Thus, the ancestors of the villagers established the Fire Phoenix cer‐emony as a precautionary measure to avert po‐tential disasters. Additionally, this ceremony embodies their hopes and dreams for a joyful life.
As the night deepens, the performance of the “Fire Phoenix” approaches its grand finale. The last sparks trace a beautiful arc before gen‐tly fading away. The bamboo pole comes to a halt, leaving behind only faint embers in the fire baskets, reminiscent of the phoenix's after‐glow following nirvana. The square fills with the rich scent of charcoal, a lingering reminder of the “Fire Phoenix” and its cultural signifi‐cance.
Now, whenever I glimpse a meteor streaking across the night sky, I am instantly re‐minded of the “Fire Phoenix” dancing in the flames. It symbolizes not only the preservation of traditional skills but also a nation's eternal quest for beauty. Amid the twirling bamboo pole and the scattering sparks, the vibrant power of traditional culture comes to life, leav‐ing an indelible mark on the hearts of all who witness it.