# Devil sticks > Mediated Wiki article. Canonical URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Devil_sticks > Markdown URL: https://mediated.wiki/source/Devil_sticks.md > Source: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_sticks > Source revision: 1349422515 > License: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/) {{Short description|Gyroscopic juggling prop}} {{See also|Juggling club}} thumb|Children learning 'the pendulum' thumb|Manipulating 2 devilsticks simultaneously The manipulation of the '''devil stick''' (also '''devil-sticks''', '''devilsticks''', '''flower sticks''', '''bâtons fleurs''', '''stunt sticks''', '''gravity sticks''', or '''juggling sticks''') is a form of [gyroscopic](/source/gyroscope) [juggling](/source/juggling) or [equilibristics](/source/equilibristics), consisting of manipulating one stick ("[baton](/source/Baton_(twirling))", 'center stick') between one or two other sticks held one in each hand. The baton is lifted, struck, or stroked by the two control sticks ('handsticks', 'sidesticks', or 'handles'), stabilizing the baton through gyroscopic motion.{{cite book|last1=Burgess|first1=Hovey|last2=Finelli|first2=Judy|author-link1=Hovey Burgess|author-link2=Circus Center|title=Circus techniques: juggling, equilibristics, (+) vaulting|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fty1AAAAIAAJ|access-date=8 September 2012|year=1976|publisher=Drama Book Specialists|isbn=9780917643002|page=106}} Manipulating devil sticks is one of the [circus arts](/source/circus_skills) and is sometimes called devil-sticking, [twirling](/source/twirling), sticking, or stick juggling. ==History== Devil sticks are believed to have originated in China in the distant past as simple wooden juggling sticks.{{cite book|author1=Burgess|author2=Finelli|title=Circus techniques|year=1976|page=108|quote=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.}}{{cite book|last1=Ghosh|first1=Sampa|last2=Banerjee|first2=Utpal Kumar|author-link2=Utpal K. Banerjee|title=Indian Puppets|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=iy6_TtXCZjMC&pg=PA287|access-date=8 September 2012|date=1 January 2006|publisher=Abhinav Publications|isbn=978-81-7017-435-6|pages=287|quote=The ancient Chinese were skilful craftsmen and one of the oldest props in juggling; the devil on two sticks.}}{{cite book|last1=Cullen|first1=Frank|last2=Hackman|first2=Florence|last3=McNeilly|first3=Donald|title=Vaudeville, Old and New: An Encyclopedia of Variety Performers in America 2V Set|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XFnfnKg6BcAC&pg=PA308|access-date=8 September 2012|date=16 October 2006|publisher=Psychology Press|isbn=978-0-415-93853-2|pages=308|quote=Originally simple wooden sticks that originated centuries ago in China...}}{{cite book|last=Strong |first=Todd |title=The Devil Stick Book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ou8mLLdUrnUC|access-date=3 October 2018|date=1990|publisher=B. Dube|isbn=9780917643071|pages=51|quote=Devil Sticks originated in China....}} Although devil sticks are often described as having ancient origins in China, some sources note that the earliest verifiable documentation dates to the early 19th century, including documented performances in Europe and an image of the Indian performers Medua and Mooty Samme printed in Prague around 1820.{{cite web |date=2016-12-29 |title=A short history of Devilstick |url=https://www.juggle.org/a-short-history-of-devilstick/ |website=eJuggle / International Jugglers' Association}}{{cite web |date=2016-11-22 |title=The Indian Brothers Medua and Mooty Samme |url=https://www.juggle.org/the-indian-brothers-medua-and-mooty-samme/ |website=eJuggle / International Jugglers' Association}} It was apparently brought to Britain sometime around 1813, when a publication mentioned that previous generations had not known of it.{{cite book |title=The European Magazine, and London Review |date=1813 |publisher=Philological Society of London |page=209 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=KCAYAQAAIAAJ&dq=game%20%22the%20Devil%20on%20Two%20Sticks%2C%22&pg=RA2-PA209 |language=en}} The first scientific analysis of the physics behind the game, known as "the Devil on Two Sticks," was published in 1855 by [Benjamin Peirce](/source/Benjamin_Peirce).{{cite book |last1=Peirce |first1=Benjamin |title=A System of Analytic Mechanics |date=1855 |publisher=Little, Brown |page=451 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=IPJJAAAAMAAJ&q=devil&pg=PA451 |language=en}} ==Variants== Devil sticks vary widely in size and construction materials, but the batons are generally based on one of two basic designs: tapered and straight. Tapered batons are tapered from the ends towards the middle such that the middle is thinner than the ends. Straight batons are uniform in width but have weights attached to the ends. Rarely, a hybrid design consisting of a tapered baton with weights attached to the ends is used. Devil sticks are usually constructed of wood, plastic, aluminum, or composite materials such as fiberglass or carbon fiber. They are most often covered with an elastomer that both increases the friction coefficient (grip) between the baton and handles as well as providing some protection against repeated drops. Infrequently, other coverings such as cloth, suede, or leather are used. Even more rarely, a vinyl or mylar covering which reduces the stick's "grip" is used. The terms "devil stick" and "flower stick" are sometimes used interchangeably, although "flower stick" more specifically refers to straight batons with tasselled or padded ends. Flower sticks differ from traditional devil sticks in both construction and handling. While devil sticks are typically tapered or biconical in shape, flower sticks are generally straight and fitted with tasselled or weighted ends. These end attachments increase air resistance and friction, slowing the movement of the baton and allowing for greater control during manipulation.{{cite web |date=2011 |title=Basic Techniques in Circus Arts: Flower Stick |url=https://ressources.cirquehorspiste.com/resources/3%20-%20Techniques%20de%20base%20en%20arts%20du%20cirque%20-%20Basic%20circus%20arts%20techniques/3a%20-%20English/Training%20Handbooks/Flower%20Stick.pdf |website=Cirque du Soleil / National Circus School}} This increased drag and slower response are often cited as factors that make flower sticks more accessible for beginners compared to faster, more responsive tapered designs. As a result, flower sticks are often used in teaching environments and are associated with techniques that involve wrapping and contact-based manipulation. 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. Both flower and non-flower versions of firesticks exist. Illuminated devilsticks can create interesting visual effects in darkness with the use of battery-powered electric 'seed' bulbs, [LED](/source/LED)s, or with phosphorescent or chemiluminescent materials. ==Gallery== Image:Flaming devil sticks.jpg|Fire devil sticks. The photographer has used a long exposure time to capture the trails of motion. Image:Flowerdevilsticks.jpg|A devil stick (right), flower stick (middle, with rubber flares to slow it down), and two smaller control sticks (left). File:Agni devilsticks.JPG|2 devilsticks and a set of handsticks ==See also== * [Diabolo](/source/Diabolo) * [Dexterity play](/source/Dexterity_play) ==References== ==External links== {{commonscat|Devil sticks}} *[http://www.devilstick.org DevilStick.org] {{commonscat|Flower Stick in Hong Kong}} *[https://www.pnlnewsports.org/chinese-culture/flower-sticks Flower Stick - Chinese Cultural Activity] {{Object manipulation}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Devil Sticks}} Category:Physical activity and dexterity toys Category:Twirling --- Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Devil sticks](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_sticks) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devil_sticks?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.