Devil sticks

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Children learning 'the pendulum'
Manipulation 2 devilsticks

The manipulation of devil sticks (also devil-sticks, devilsticks, flower sticks, gravity sticks, or juggling sticks) is a form of gyroscopic juggling or equilibristics, consisting of manipulating one stick ("baton") between two other sticks held one in each hand. The baton is lifted, struck, or stroked alternately by the two control sticks ('handsticks' or 'sidesticks'), stabilising the baton through gyroscopic motion.[1]

Devil sticks are believed to have originated in China in the distant past, in the form of simple wooden juggling sticks.[2][3][4] They are considered to be one of the circus arts, and is sometimes called devil-sticking, twirling, sticking, or stick juggling.

Variants

Flower sticks are one variation on devil sticks, with tassles to slow down the movement of the baton to learn more difficult moves and tricks. Fire devil sticks (also known as firesticks) typically have an aluminum core and have fuel-soaked wicks on the ends to allow them to be set on fire for visual effect.

Gallery

  • Fire devil sticks. The photographer has used a long exposure time to capture the trails of motion.

  • A devil stick (right), flower stick (middle, with rubber flares to slow it down), and two smaller control sticks (left).

  • 2 devilsticks and a set of handsticks

See also

References

  1. ↑ Hovey Burgess; Judy Finelli (1976). Circus techniques: juggling, equilibristics, (+) vaulting. Drama Book Specialists. p. 106. Retrieved 8 September 2012. 
  2. ↑ Hovey Burgess; Judy Finelli (1976). Circus techniques: juggling, equilibristics, (+) vaulting. Drama Book Specialists. p. 108. Retrieved 8 September 2012.  - Although devil sticks have been known in the West for a long time, they originated in China and even today's Chinese acrobat- jugglers excel at devil sticks.
  3. ↑ Sampa Ghosh; Utpal Kumar Banerjee (1 January 2006). Indian Puppets. Abhinav Publications. pp. 287–. ISBN 978-81-7017-435-6. Retrieved 8 September 2012.  - The ancient Chinese were skilful craftsmen and one of the oldest props in juggling; the devil on two sticks
  4. ↑ Frank Cullen; Florence Hackman; Donald McNeilly (16 October 2006). Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America 2V Set. Psychology Press. pp. 308–. ISBN 978-0-415-93853-2. Retrieved 8 September 2012.  - Originally simple wooden sticks that originated centuries ago in China...

External links

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