Think running with the bulls at Pamplona is dangerous? Wait til you see these images from Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival. The two-day festival kicks off on February 21.
Taiwan's Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival —
Think running with the bulls at Pamplona is dangerous? Wait til you see these images from Yanshui Beehive Fireworks Festival. The two-day festival kicks off on February 21.
Dave Tacon/CNN
It's considered a blessing to be struck by one of the many thousands of fireworks let off during the celebration.
Unusual blessing —
It's considered a blessing to be struck by one of the many thousands of fireworks let off during the celebration.
David Tacon/CNN
To prevent injuries, attendees improvise protective suits from fireproof clothing and motorcycle helmets.
Improvised protection —
To prevent injuries, attendees improvise protective suits from fireproof clothing and motorcycle helmets.
Dave Tacon/CNN
While this deserves marks for creativity, we're really not sure how functional this homemade helmet is.
Not. Bad. —
While this deserves marks for creativity, we're really not sure how functional this homemade helmet is.
Dave Tacon/CNN
The helmet-wearing crowd braces itself for the explosion of a "beehive," a large tower densely packed with up to 600,000 rockets.
Preparing for the launch —
The helmet-wearing crowd braces itself for the explosion of a "beehive," a large tower densely packed with up to 600,000 rockets.
Dave Tacon/CNN
The two-day festival started in the 19th century as an attempt to ward off evil spirits during a plague and cholera outbreak.
Disease-fighting fireworks —
The two-day festival started in the 19th century as an attempt to ward off evil spirits during a plague and cholera outbreak.
Dave Tacon/CNN
A bearer for a sedan chair carrying a statue of Guan Gong, Chinese God of War. Legend has it that Guan Gong demanded that fireworks be released in exchange for protecting the town from cholera and plague.
God of War —
A bearer for a sedan chair carrying a statue of Guan Gong, Chinese God of War. Legend has it that Guan Gong demanded that fireworks be released in exchange for protecting the town from cholera and plague.
Dave Tacon/CNN
A standard beehive fires off about 200,000 small rockets in two directions. The rockets are stacked together on a lattice frame.
Stacks of rockets —
A standard beehive fires off about 200,000 small rockets in two directions. The rockets are stacked together on a lattice frame.
Dave Tacon/CNN
The two-day festival concludes with the launch of two 400,000-rocket beehives and a massive hive stuffed with 600,000 more.
1.4 million-rocket finale —
The two-day festival concludes with the launch of two 400,000-rocket beehives and a massive hive stuffed with 600,000 more.
Dave Tacon/CNN
After the rockets have exploded, an air of sulfur.
Empty beehive —
After the rockets have exploded, an air of sulfur.
Dave Tacon/CNN
Pole dancers are a relatively new addition to the festival. Women perform during the opening festivities -- apparently to please Guan Gong -- as part of a convoy that also includes statues of deities.
New addition —
Pole dancers are a relatively new addition to the festival. Women perform during the opening festivities -- apparently to please Guan Gong -- as part of a convoy that also includes statues of deities.
Dave Tacon/CNN
Shen-Chi Chung built two beehives for last year's festival, one modeled after SpongeBob SquarePants (pictured during launch). "I chose these designs for my grandson and to make other little kids happy," says Chung.
Burning SpongeBob SquarePants —
Shen-Chi Chung built two beehives for last year's festival, one modeled after SpongeBob SquarePants (pictured during launch). "I chose these designs for my grandson and to make other little kids happy," says Chung.
Dave Tacon/CNN
According to locals, those who build beehives must pray and swear oaths to Guan Gong for three consecutive years before they can take part in beehive construction.
Devotion —
According to locals, those who build beehives must pray and swear oaths to Guan Gong for three consecutive years before they can take part in beehive construction.
Dave Tacon/CNN
The festival takes place at the close of Lunar New Year celebrations, during the Lantern Festival that falls on the 15th day of Lunar New Year.
Annual celebration —
The festival takes place at the close of Lunar New Year celebrations, during the Lantern Festival that falls on the 15th day of Lunar New Year.
Dave Tacon/CNN
Not everyone wants to stand in the middle of the action. These attendees -- wreathed in sulfur fumes -- watch the fireworks from the safety of a vacant lot.
Safer choice —
Not everyone wants to stand in the middle of the action. These attendees -- wreathed in sulfur fumes -- watch the fireworks from the safety of a vacant lot.
Dave Tacon/CNN