Scottish Country Dancing Dictionary

Catherine Wheels

Scottish Country Dance Instruction

CATHERINE WHEELS (R4x32) 4C set Black

1- 8 1s and 4s set and petronella turn into centre while 2s and 3s step up/down, 1s+2s also 3s+4s dance RH across
9-16 1s and 4s set and petronella turn to 2nd/3rd place opposite sides, 1s+4s dance LH across to end facing corners
17-24 All set and pass facing person RSh, 2s+3s dance LH across ½ way to end facing corners and pass facing person RSh
25-32 1s+4s dance LH across, all (on opposite sides) set and cross RH. 3142

(MINICRIB. Dance crib compiled by Charles Upton, Deeside Caledonian Society, and his successors)


Dance Information

The Catherine wheel or pinwheel is a type of firework consisting of a powder-filled spiral tube, or an angled rocket mounted with a pin through its center. When ignited, it rotates quickly, producing a display of sparks and coloured flame.

The firework is named after Saint Catherine of Alexandria who, according to Christian legend, was condemned to death by "breaking on the wheel". When she touched the wheel it miraculously flew to pieces.

The largest Catherine wheel ever made was designed by the Lily Fireworks Factory of Mqabba, Malta. The Catherine wheel had a diameter of 32.044 m (105 ft 1.6 in), and was lit on 18 June 2011, the eve of the annual feast of Our Lady of the Lilies.

Catherine Wheels
Catherine Wheels In Fireworks Display, Qala, Gozo, Malta


Dance information licensed under this Creative Commons Licence 3.0.
Text from this original Catherine Wheel Firework article on Wikipedia.
Image copyright Unbuttered Parsnip (Own work), Creative Commons Licence 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Back to the top of this Scottish Country Dancing Instructions 'Catherine Wheels' page