What is the difference between fire eating and fire breathing? What exactly does a fakir do, and what are poi? In this glossary, fire breather and fakir Nuno — with 17 years of stage experience — explains every term from the world of fire and performance. Useful when you want to book a fire show and know exactly what your guests will see, or when you are simply curious about this age-old craft.

Fire techniques from A to Z

🔥 Fire breathing

In fire breathing, the performer sprays a fine mist of fuel across a burning torch, creating a towering fireball. It is the most spectacular technique in a fire show — and one of the most dangerous, requiring years of training in breath control, reading the wind and choosing the right fuel. Often the grand finale of a performance.

👄 Fire eating

In fire eating, the performer extinguishes burning torches in the mouth: by cutting off the flame's oxygen, it goes out. It is often confused with fire breathing, but is exactly the opposite — fire eating extinguishes fire, fire breathing creates it. A serene, thrilling act the audience can watch up close.

🌀 Poi

Poi are two weights on chains or cords that the performer swings around the body in circular patterns. The technique originates from the Māori of New Zealand; with burning kevlar wicks they become hypnotic circles of fire. A staple of virtually every professional fire show.

🪄 Fire staff

A staff with kevlar wicks at both ends. The performer spins, throws and rolls the staff across the body ('contact staff'), creating continuous lines of fire. Large, flowing movements that read beautifully even from a distance — on a festival stage, for example.

🪭 Fire fans

Metal fans carrying several flames at once, often used in dance choreography. They create an elegant, almost theatrical look — popular at weddings and stylish corporate events, where atmosphere matters as much as spectacle.

⛓️ Fire chains

Chains with burning kevlar ends, related to poi but longer and rawer in movement. The performer sends them whirring in circles; the metal glows along in the dark. A technique that combines power with control.

🤹 Fire juggling

Juggling with burning torches: the same precision as regular juggling, except every missed catch counts. Often the interactive, light-hearted part of a show — bringing pace, humour and audience contact between the bigger fire acts.

💪 Body fire

In body fire, the performer lets flames travel briefly across the skin — arms, hands or tongue. The secret is timing and technique: the flame keeps moving and touches the skin for only a fraction of a second. Strictly for professionals; guaranteed to make the audience hold its breath.

Fakir, mentalism and more

🎩 Fakir

From the Arabic faqīr ('poor one'); originally a wandering ascetic, in show business a performer demonstrating extreme body control: the bed of nails, glass walking, bearing weights. Nuno combines these classic acts with fire in his fakir show — tension you can feel up close.

🛏️ Bed of nails

Hundreds of nails across which the body weight is distributed: the more points, the less pressure per nail — pure physics, yet it remains striking to watch, especially when a spectator stands on top of the fakir. The icon of every fakir show.

🦶 Glass walking

Barefoot across a bed of broken glass. The technique is about weight distribution, foot placement and reading the shards — plus absolute trust in one's own preparation. One of the oldest fakir traditions, and it silences an audience like no fireball can.

🧠 Mentalism

Psychological illusions: 'reading' minds, steering decisions and predictions that come true. No supernatural powers — just sharp observation, suggestion and years of practice. Since no flame is involved, mentalism works in any indoor venue — ideal where fire is not allowed.

🐍 Reptile show

An educational, safely supervised encounter with exotic snakes and reptiles, where the audience sees the animals up close — and sometimes gets to touch them. Perfect as a crowd-puller for family days, shopping centres and theme parties, and entirely without fire.

Production and safety

🎪 Fire show (fire performance)

The umbrella term: a choreographed performance in which techniques such as fire breathing, poi, staff and body fire come together to music. A professional fire show lasts 10 to 20 minutes per set and builds towards one grand climax — see also what a fire show costs.

🧵 Kevlar

The heat-resistant aramid fibre from which the wicks of virtually all fire props are made. Kevlar soaks up the fuel and holds the flame without burning away itself — the reason poi, staffs and fans last performance after performance.

⛽ Show fuel

Professional performers work exclusively with special show fuels with a controlled flash point — never with petrol or methylated spirits. The right fuel determines the colour, temperature and predictability of the flame, and is the basis of every safe show. You learn all about it in the fire-breathing workshop too.

📏 Safety distance

The prescribed clear space between performer, audience, buildings and decoration. How much distance is needed depends on the acts and the wind; a professional coordinates this in advance with the venue and — at larger events — with the municipality or fire brigade. When you book, this is always arranged for you.

💨 Fire-breathing workshop

Learning to breathe fire yourself under professional guidance: technique and safety first, real fire only after that. A popular team-building and bachelor-party activity — by the end, everyone has blown their own fireball. Read all about the fire-breathing workshop.

🎆 Pyrotechnics vs. fire show

Pyrotechnics means fireworks and technical effects: bound by strict rules and permits, and restricted in more and more places. A fire show is an artist with a living flame — more personal, more flexible, and possible at many venues where fireworks are not. That is why more and more organisers choose a fire show as a fireworks alternative.

Fire glossary: every term from the fire show world explained