Wax burning
Heating of candle wax for entertainment / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Wax burning (Chinese: 煲蠟; Jyutping: bou1 laap6), also known as wax boiling, is the heating of candle wax to high temperatures in a container as a form of entertainment.
Most of the time, it refers to a local tradition of Hong Kong youths during the Mid-Autumn Festival period in public parks or other such areas. One would use an empty moon cake tin as the container to bring candle wax to the boil, possibly adding newspaper scraps or other flammable fuel. Once the wax fire reaches its peak, one would pour water onto the flames thus creating spectacular sizzling and steam slopover. This practice is dangerous due to the flames' kickback and volatile amount of flowing hot wax, possibly causing third degree burns; several children have been taken to the hospital each year due to "wax burning" related injuries.[1] The annual numbers are in decline due to legislation and public education campaigns (see below).[2]