Aerial – Aerial fireworks are any fireworks designed to launch flaming balls into the air, such as cakes or mortars.

Assortment – An assortment is a collection of various fireworks, typically including fountains, sparklers, rockets, and firecrackers

Barrage – A barrage is a group of items fired simultaneously.

Battery – A battery is a bundled group of identical fireworks, such as a missile battery or a Roman candle battery.

Black Powder – Black powder, also known as gunpowder, is a mixture of potassium nitrate, charcoal, and sulfur. Its stability and predictable burn rate make it the primary propellant in most fireworks. It launches aerial fireworks and is a key component in creating the colorful stars for their effects.

Bombette – A bombette is an exploding star typically ejected from a Roman candle or fountain. Legal consumer fireworks restrict bombettes to a maximum of 130 milligrams of flash powder.

Bottle Rocket – A bottle rocket is a small, cylindrical firework attached to a 12-inch stick. It can produce whistling sounds and a loud explosion upon impact.

Bouquet – A bouquet pattern is a spherical aerial display of stars resembling a floral arrangement.

Brocade – A brocade effect creates a sparkling, lace-like pattern in the sky. Brighter than willow or tiger tail effects, brocade is often silver and achieved using glitter.

Cake – A cake is a multi-shot firework that produces a sequence of aerial effects, such as spinners, bouquets, comets, and crossettes, ignited by a single fuse. It’s the most popular consumer firework besides sparklers and firecrackers.

Candle – A candle is also known as a Roman candle.

Chrysanthemum – A chrysanthemum is a flower-shaped aerial pattern typically produced by cakes or mortars.

Coconut – A coconut firework features a golden central burst surrounded by brocade or willow effects, resembling a coconut.

Comet – A comet is a firework that produces a trailing effect of sparks as it travels through the air.

Cone – A cone is a fountain firework shaped like a cone.

Confetti – Confetti is a firework that propels colorful paper streamers into the air using a gas cartridge or a small pyrotechnic charge.

Consumer – Consumer fireworks are fireworks approved by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) for public use. To meet these standards, they must withstand high temperatures, resist accidental explosion, contain limited amounts of explosive material, and have restricted aerial burst sizes. Fireworks not meeting these criteria are not classified as consumer fireworks.

CPSC – The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) is a federal agency that tests and approves consumer fireworks for safety.

Crackle – A crackle effect is a firework display featuring rapid, sharp sounds accompanied by a glittering, gold lace visual effect.

Crossette – A crossette is a firework that splits into multiple comets upon explosion, often forming a cross-like pattern.

Dahlia – A dahlia is a firework shell that produces a star-shaped burst in the sky.

Daytime – Daytime effects are fireworks designed for visibility during daylight hours. These typically include smoke-producing fireworks and parachutes.

Falling Leaves – Falling leaves is a firework effect that creates a mesmerizing display of glowing embers that gently descend through the air, resembling falling autumn leaves.

Firecracker – A firecracker is a small explosive device wrapped in paper with a fuse. When ignited, the fuse ignites the flash powder inside, causing a loud bang. Consumer firecrackers are limited to a maximum of 50 milligrams of flash powder.

Firefly – A firefly effect is a rapid succession of bright, flashing lights creating a shimmering, twinkling display in the sky.

Firework – A firework is a device designed to produce a visual and/or auditory display when ignited.

Fish – A fish is a firework effect that creates the illusion of multiple objects wriggling through the air like a school of fish. This brief display is achieved through a unique fuse design that propels itself in a serpentine motion.

Flare – A flare is a long, cylindrical device that produces a bright, sustained light. Commonly used to ignite fireworks, flares can also serve as emergency signals.

Flitter – A flitter is a type of firework star that produces a sparkling, shimmering trail with bright flashes of light as it travels through the sky.

Floral – A floral pattern is an aerial display resembling a flower, with radiating points of light emanating from a central point.

Fountain – A fountain is a ground-based firework that produces a shower of sparks.

Fuse – A fuse is a flammable cord used to ignite fireworks.

Glitter – Glitter is a firework effect characterized by a sparkling, shimmering trail with bright flashes of light, often lasting several seconds

Ground – Ground items are fireworks that are ignited on the ground and do not produce aerial effects. They include fountains, sparklers, snaps, snakes, pops, smoke balls, and other similar products.

Helicopter – A helicopter is a firework that rapidly spins upward before exploding into a colorful aerial display. It’s also commonly known as a plane, sky flyer, or UFO.

Jellyfish – A jellyfish firework typically features a central burst surrounded by trailing effects, resembling the body and tentacles of a jellyfish.

Jumping Jacks – Jumping Jacks are cylindrical fireworks resembling firecrackers that spin rapidly, emitting red and green sparks as they move erratically across the ground.

Mine – A mine is an aerial firework that launches a vertical spray of stars into the sky.

Missile – A missile is a firework rocket that launches without a guiding stick. To maintain stability, it often spins as it ascends or is fired from a tube, as seen in Saturn Missile Batteries.

Mortar – A mortar is a tube used to launch fireworks shells into the air. These shells contain a lift charge that propels them upward, where they explode to create colorful displays. Most aerial fireworks are launched from mortars.

Multi-Shot – A multi-shot aerial is another term for a cake or repeater.

Novelty – Novelty fireworks are low-hazard items designed for minimal risk to people and property. They typically include snaps, snakes, poppers, and sometimes sparklers.

Palm Tree – A palm tree is an aerial firework that creates the illusion of a palm tree. It features a rising, golden or silver tail resembling the tree trunk, topped with a brocade or willow effect that mimics the palm fronds.

Parachute – A parachute is a firework that launches a paper projectile into the air, where it descends slowly due to a attached parachute. They can be launched individually or as part of a multi-shot firework.

Peony – A peony is a spherical burst of color in the sky, creating a full, flower-like appearance. It’s one of the most common and recognizable firework effects.

Pistil – A pistil is an aerial firework effect featuring a smaller, spherical burst of stars centered within a larger, outer burst of stars. It resembles a smaller peony positioned at the heart of a larger peony.

Plane – A plane is another term for a firework that rapidly spins upward before exploding into a colorful aerial display. It’s also commonly known as a helicopter, sky flyer, or UFO.

Punk – A punk is a long, thin bamboo stick coated with a slow-burning substance. It’s commonly used to safely ignite fireworks fuses. Unlike matches, punks provide a longer reach and a less intense flame, reducing the risk of injury.

Reloadable Aerial – A reloadable aerial is a reusable fireworks system consisting of one or more tubes and multiple aerial shells.

The shells are inserted into the tubes, ignited, and launched into the sky, creating a customizable fireworks display.

Report – A report is a term used to describe the loud sound produced by the explosion of a firework, such as a rocket or cake.

Ring – A ring firework effect produces a captivating circular display, resembling a luminous halo in the night sky. The precise arrangement of pyrotechnic components within the shell is crucial to achieving this distinctive and visually striking pattern.

Rising Tail– A rising tail is a shimmering, vertical trail of light, often gold or silver, that ascends with a firework shell, resembling the trunk of a palm tree.

Rocket – A rocket is a tubular firework propelled through the air by its internal combustion. It comes in various types, including sky rockets, bottle rockets, and missiles, each with its own unique characteristics.

Roman Candle – A Roman candle is a tubular firework that launches a series of colorful balls into the air. Typically containing five or more shots, Roman candles should always be securely planted in a stable base, such as a bucket filled with kitty litter, and pointed away from people and flammable objects.

Safe and Sane – Safe and Sane fireworks are a category of fireworks that pose minimal risk of injury or property damage. They typically include ground-based items like sparklers, snaps, smoke balls, and fountains. In contrast, fireworks like firecrackers, rockets, and cakes are generally considered more hazardous and are often restricted or prohibited in areas with Safe and Sane laws.

Salute – A salute is a firework designed primarily for its loud explosive sound, often referred to as a “report.” While most salutes are aerial, some ground-based fireworks, like firecrackers, can also be classified as salutes.

Saturn – A Saturn shell is an aerial firework characterized by a central burst of color surrounded by a luminous ring, resembling the planet Saturn.

Serpent – A serpent is a firework star that spins rapidly in the air, emitting bright trails of gold, silver, or white light. It’s also known as a tourbillion and is typically constructed as a small, hollow tube.

Shell – A shell is an aerial firework containing a fuse, a lift charge, and a payload of stars and effects. Once ignited, the lift charge propels the shell into the sky where it bursts, creating the desired visual display determined by its contents.

Single-shot – A single-shot aerial is a pre-loaded mortar tube containing a single firework shell. It’s a convenient option for creating a quick, impressive display.

Sky Flyer – A sky flyer is a firework that rapidly ascends while spinning before producing a colorful explosion in the sky. It’s often referred to as a plane, helicopter, or UFO due to its appearance during flight.

Sky Rocket – A sky rocket is a firework propelled into the air by its internal combustion. It typically includes a stabilizing stick for controlled flight.

Smoke – A smoke item is a firework designed to produce a visible cloud of smoke. These fireworks are often used during daytime displays and typically include ground-based smoke balls and aerial smoke effects.

Snakes – Snakes are pellets that, when ignited, produce a long, snake-like ash residue. While popular with children, they can be harmful if ingested and should be used with adult supervision.

Snaps – Snaps are small, paper-wrapped devices that produce a sharp, loud noise when thrown or stepped on. They are a popular novelty item, often enjoyed by children. While generally considered safe, it’s important to use them responsibly and follow any age restrictions.

Snowflake – A snowflake firework effect typically features a burst of white or silver stars that rapidly descend, resembling falling snowflakes. It often creates a shimmering, icy appearance in the night sky.

Sparkler – A sparkler is a handheld firework that produces a shower of sparks when ignited. While popular for celebrations, sparklers are a leading cause of fireworks-related injuries due to discarded wires. To prevent accidents, always hold sparklers away from your body and clothing, and immediately place used sparklers in a bucket of water.

Spider – A spider effect firework typically features a central burst with radiating points of light that quickly change direction, resembling the legs of a spider.

Spinner – A spinner is a ground-based firework that rotates while emitting sparks and other effects.

Spiral – A spiral firework creates a mesmerizing, swirling pattern of light in the night sky.

Star – A star is the core component of most fireworks, creating the colorful and dazzling effects we see in the sky. These small pellets of pyrotechnic composition produce various visual effects, such as streaks, bursts, and trails. Different types of stars are used to achieve specific colors, shapes, and durations.

Strobe – A strobe effect in fireworks creates a rapid, pulsating visual experience, often resembling shimmering water. This is achieved by using stars that quickly alternate between bright and dim states.

Tail – A tail is a luminous trail that follows a firework as it travels through the sky. It’s a common feature of comets, willows, and brocades, adding visual interest and duration to the aerial display.

Timerain – A timerain firework effect is characterized by large, slow-burning stars that create a shower of glittering sparks as they descend. The effect is often accompanied by a crackling sound.

Tourbillion – A tourbillion is indeed another name for a serpent. It’s a firework that spins rapidly in the air, producing a dazzling display of light.

Tube – A tube is often used interchangeably with the term mortar to describe the container from which a fireworks shell is launched.

UFO – A UFO is a common slang term for a firework that rapidly spins and ascends before exploding into a colorful display. It’s often used interchangeably with terms like helicopter, plane, or sky flyer.

Wave – A wave firework effect typically involves a series of bursts or stars arranged in a pattern that mimics the motion of an ocean wave. It might include rising and falling patterns, or alternating colors to simulate the crest and trough of a wave.

Wheel – A wheel is a stationary firework that spins, creating a circular display of sparks.  It’s important to use caution when setting up and lighting a wheel to prevent fires.

Whirlwind – A whirlwind firework effect creates a dynamic, spinning pattern in the sky. It often involves rapidly rotating bursts of color or stars, giving the impression of a whirlwind or cyclone.

Whistle – A whistle is a component found in many fireworks that produces a high-pitched sound. They are typically small tubes filled with a specific composition that creates the whistling effect when ignited.

Willow – An aerial effect that looks like a giant gold willow tree in the sky. A true willow effect has delicate golden trails that hang in the sky ten seconds or more.