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{{Short description|Firework that ejects stars or exploding shells}}
[[Image:Romancandle.png|right|thumb|Roman candle firework by Great Grizzly]]
A '''Roman candle''' is a traditional type of [[fireworks|firework]] that ejects one or more [[Pyrotechnic star|stars]] or exploding shells. Roman candles come in a variety of sizes, from {{cvt|6|mm}} diameter for consumers, up to {{cvt|8|cm}} diameter in professional fireworks displays.
Roman candles are banned in some countries as they have a tendency to malfunction.<ref>http://www.jpyro2.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/08/Kos-647-651.pdf {{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref> They are banned in Finland<ref>{{Cite web |title=Finland |url=http://www.gov.scot/publications/impact-fireworks-regulations-case-studies/pages/8/ |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=www.gov.scot |language=en}}</ref> and the Netherlands,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Zaken |first=Ministerie van Algemene |date=2020-07-08 |title=Verboden vuurwerk vanaf 2020 - Vuurwerk - Rijksoverheid.nl |url=https://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/vuurwerk/verboden-vuurwerk-vanaf-2020 |access-date=2022-10-31 |website=www.rijksoverheid.nl |language=nl-NL}}</ref> and illegal to possess or set off in the U.S. states of [[California]],<ref name="ca">{{cite news |title=Person Cited After Roman Candle Starts Small Fire In Woodland |url=https://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2022/06/28/woodland-illegal-fireworks-roman-candle-fire/ |publisher=[[KOVR]] |date=June 28, 2022 |quote=Aerial fireworks, like roman candles, are illegal in California unless used under a special display license.}}</ref> [[Delaware]],<ref name="de">{{cite news |last1=Griffin |first1=Krys'tal |title=Check out Delaware's fireworks laws before you light up your July 4th celebration |url=https://www.delawareonline.com/story/news/2022/06/24/fireworks-legal-buy-use-delaware-fourth-july-independence-day-sparklers/7704124001/ |work=[[Delaware News Journal]] |date=June 24, 2022 |quote=Illegal fireworks for civilians to possess and use include bottle rockets, firecrackers or fire balloons, aerials like Roman candles and any other device that explodes or shoots into the air, according to the fireworks chapter of Delaware’s health and safety code.}}</ref> [[Florida]],<ref name="fl">{{cite news|last1=Hernández|first1=Arelis R.|title=Officials urge caution when fireworks are part of the celebration|url=http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2013-07-01/news/os-fireworks-orlando-law-enforcement-20130701_1_illegal-fireworks-exploding-fireworks-sparklers-and-fireworks|accessdate=6 August 2015|newspaper=Orlando Sentinel|date=2013-07-01|quote=Florida law prohibits any fireworks that fly through the air or explode—such as Roman candles, bottle rockets and mortars—for recreational use.}}</ref> [[Maryland]],<ref name="md">{{Cite web|date=Sep 2016|title=Law Enforcement Guide to Fireworks Identification|url=https://mdsp.maryland.gov/firemarshal/Documents/Law%20Enforcment%20Guide%20to%20Fireworks%20ID.pdf|access-date=Nov 16, 2021}}</ref> [[Massachusetts]],<ref name="ma">{{cite news |last1=Sobey |first1=Rick |title=Massachusetts State Police seize more fireworks, charge 4 people ahead of Fourth of July |url=https://www.bostonherald.com/2022/07/03/massachusetts-state-police-seize-more-fireworks-charge-4-people-ahead-of-fourth-of-july/ |work=[[Boston Herald]] |date=July 3, 2022 |quote=Ahead of the Fourth of July, Mass State Police keep seizing fireworks at the state border and charging people who bring illegal bottle rockets, Roman candles, sparklers and more into the Bay State.}}</ref> [[Minnesota]],<ref name="mn">{{cite news |last1=Stroozas |first1=Sam |title=For those who don't enjoy fireworks, some tips for this holiday weekend |url=https://www.mprnews.org/story/2022/07/02/fireworks-tips-for-veterans-and-pets |agency=[[MPR News]] |date=July 2, 2022 |quote=Sparklers, snakes and tubes that emit sparks are legal in Minnesota but firecrackers and rockets — any fireworks that are aerial or explosive — remain illegal in our state.}}</ref> [[New Jersey]],<ref name="nj">{{cite news |last1=Brodesser-Akner |first1=Claude |title=Christie legalizes some fireworks in time for your 4th of July celebration |url=http://www.nj.com/politics/index.ssf/2017/06/breaking_christie_legalizes_non-explosive_firework.html |accessdate=14 June 2018 |newspaper=NJ Star-Ledger |date=Jun 29, 2017}}</ref> [[New York (state)|New York]],<ref name="ny">{{cite news |last1=Brown |first1=Raven |title=Fireworks in NYS: What's allowed and what's not? |url=https://www.whec.com/news/fireworks-in-nys-whats-allowed-and-whats-not/6514087/ |agency=[[WHEC-TV|WHEC]] |date=June 29, 2022 |quote=According to the New York State Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services’ Office of Fire Prevention and Control, consumer fireworks including firecrackers, bottle rockets, roman candles, spinners, and aerial devices, remain illegal statewide.}}</ref> [[North Carolina]],<ref name="nc">{{cite news |last1=Rivera |first1=Tanya |title=Fireworks: What's legal & illegal in NC |url=https://www.wfmynews2.com/article/news/local/2-wants-to-know/fireworks-whats-legal-illegal-in-nc-sparklers-glow-worms-smoke-bombs-anything-airborne-explodes-state-statute-danger-emergency-room-have-a-bucket/83-57ac9724-cd58-4611-892c-beb3cecc0b45 |agency=[[WFMY]] |quote='In North Carolina, the only fireworks that are legal are the ones that emit sparks. They can make noise but cannot propel into the air and they cannot explode,' said Lt. Chris Davenport, Forsyth County Sheriff's Office.}}</ref> [[Oregon]],<ref name="or">{{cite news |last1=Howard |first1=Jerry |title=Fire Marshal about Oregon fireworks: "Keep it legal, keep it safe." |url=https://www.kdrv.com/news/fire-marshal-about-oregon-fireworks-keep-it-legal-keep-it-safe/article_d731c028-f65b-11ec-9f1d-dfd077204651.html |agency=[[KDRV]] |date=June 27, 2022 |quote=Fireworks, commonly called bottle rockets, Roman candles, and are illegal in Oregon without a permit.}}</ref> and [[Rhode Island]].<ref name="ri">{{cite web |title=Fireworks Laws |url=http://www.pyrouniverse.com/statelaws.htm |website=Pyro Universe |accessdate=2013-03-30 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130514010617/http://www.pyrouniverse.com/statelaws.htm |archivedate=2013-05-14}}</ref>
== Construction and ignition ==
Roman candles are fireworks constructed with [[bentonite]], [[lifting charge]], [[pyrotechnic star]], [[black powder]], and [[delay charge]]. The device is ignited from the top, which should be pointed into the sky, away from people. The delay powder is packed tightly in the tube, so that the flame cannot reach around the sides of the plug of delay composition. It therefore burns slowly; as it is consumed, the flame moves down through the tube. When the flame reaches the topmost pyrotechnic star, the star is ignited. Because the star fits loosely in the tube, the fire spreads around it and ignites the lift charge. The lift charge burns quickly, propelling the star out of the tube. In doing so it also ignites the layer of delay powder beneath it, and the process repeats.
There are several variations on this:
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