FLOWER STICKS VS. DEVIL STICKS

The first thing that has to be said about Devil Sticks is that they have nothing to do with the devil. The name comes from the Greek word “dallo” or “diabello” which means; to toss, or throw across. Two common types of sticks are available; ones with tassels commonly referred to as Flower Sticks, and ones without tassels which would be considered Traditional Devil Sticks. Flower Sticks are slower moving and often seen in renaissance and street fairs and are easier to use. We at West Coast Juggling are big fans of both styles of sticks. We prefer flower sticks, the flower ends add more weight to each end & slow down the momentum of the roll which increases the range of movements possible.

Devil Sticks & Flower Sticks

Devil Stick & Flower Stick manipulation is a form of gyroscopic juggling and is generally considered to be one of the ‘circus arts’. Sometimes called “devil-sticking” other terms often used are: “twirling”, “sticking” and “stick juggling”. A “set” of devil sticks is made up of three pieces – the baton and two control sticks (often called hand sticks as-well)- but it will often be called a “pair of sticks”.

Typically if a center stick is not tapered (i.e. a straight dowel or rod) and possesses tassels at its end, then it is known as a “Flower Stick” (as the tassels, when the stick is spun, will twirl outwards and resemble an open flower). This term is also now used to describe a straight center stick with any weights (not just tassels) at its end and sometimes refers to hybrid sticks which are both tapered and have weights. Tapered sticks without end weights are known simply as Devil Sticks. Flower sticks can also be properly called “Devil Sticks” as that is the more general term.

Fire Flower Sticks & Fire Devil Sticks

Fire sticking is an inherently hazardous activity. Appropriate fire precautions should always be taken when using burning fuels. Flaming devil sticks have wicks on the ends allowing them to be set a fire, using a variety of flammable liquids as fuel. The most commonly used fuel is paraffin oil or white gas. (Please note here that WCJ does not advocate using White Gas, we much prefer and advocate the use of ultra-pure paraffin lamp oil). Different substances can be added to the fuels to gain different colored flames. However, advice should always be sought from an expert before mixing chemicals. Serious burns, and damage to property, can result from mishandling burning materials. Fire Devil sticking is sometimes used to add an element of danger to performances. When photographing these performances, long exposure times are used to catch the trails of motion.

History

Juggling Sticks have continuously evolved as they were passed down through the centuries.

Apparently originating in Africa earlier than 3000 B.C.E., there are pictures of juggling sticks on friezes found in Egyptian tombs. Juggling historians have asserted that the ‘devil sticks’ followed the Silk Road from Cairo to China.

Whether they were reinvented in, or traveled to, China, there is no doubt that by 2000 B.C.E. the Chinese were using juggling sticks. It is commonly believed that Marco Polo then brought juggling sticks to Europe from the Orient. Juggling sticks have been used in Europe since the Renaissance.

With the hippy phenomenon, the advent of huge outdoor music festivals, the invention of modern variants on stick design, and the post-sixties increase in popularity of juggling as recreation or as a hobby, stick juggling has become increasingly popular as an activity even among people who would not consider themselves to be performers.