Catherine wheel (firework)
The Catherine wheel, also called a pinwheel, is a firework that spins when it burns. It can be a wheel with a powder-filled tube or a small rocket mounted in the center. When lit, it spins quickly and sprays sparks for a dramatic show.
It is named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria, who, according to legend, was sentenced to death on a breaking wheel, but the wheel broke apart when she touched it.
The biggest Catherine wheel ever made was built by Lily Fireworks Factory in Mqabba, Malta. It measured about 32 meters in diameter and was lit on 18 June 2011 during a local festival.
In Malta, Catherine wheels are a traditional part of village feasts. They are called nar tal-art or ġigġifogu in Maltese. Some villages hold competitions, and displays feature different moving shapes and colors. The largest wheel in the display is usually burned last and is called “the carpet.”
In the Philippines, the Catherine wheel is known as trompillo and is legal under Republic Act 7183.
This page was last edited on 2 February 2026, at 06:42 (CET).