Donate SIGN UP

Catherine wheel

Avatar Image
AngelusRIP | 16:48 Fri 29th Oct 2004 | How it Works
3 Answers
Why is the spinney round firework called a catherine wheel. I think it was named after Catherine the great but dont know 4 sure. Can anyone help.
Gravatar

Answers

1 to 3 of 3rss feed

Best Answer

No best answer has yet been selected by AngelusRIP. Once a best answer has been selected, it will be shown here.

For more on marking an answer as the "Best Answer", please visit our FAQ.
St. Catherine was martyred on a wheel.

I have to take issue with you, archbishop.  St Catherine of Siena died apparently of being crushed by a spirtual weight.  See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03447a.htm

 

St Catherine of Alexandria was sentenced to die on the wheel, but at her miraculous touch it disintegrated.  So she was beheaded instead.  See http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/03445a.htm

 

The wheel may have got its name from that on which the second St Catherine was meant to have died.  I don't know of any connection with Catherine the Great of Russia.

According to Alan St Hill Brock in his book "A history of fireworks", it is named after St Catherine who was martyred on a toothed wheel.

1 to 3 of 3rss feed

Do you know the answer?

Catherine wheel

Answer Question >>