Devil Sticks
Officially Devil Sticks / Flower Sticks
Skill toy — main stick balanced + manipulated with two handsticks. Origins in China (2000+ years ago as 'diabolo' cousin) + Egypt. Traditional wooden variant + modern rubber-tipped 'flower sticks' (safer, easier). Not competitive; flow art + juggling convention performance. Popular in circus + street performance.
What is Devil Sticks?
Devil Sticks (also FLOWER STICKS, JUGGLING STICKS) is SKILL TOY where practitioner MANIPULATES central STICK using 2 SIDE STICKS (handsticks). Origins in CHINA 2000+ years ago (related to DIABOLO); also documented in ANCIENT EGYPT + WESTERN circus traditions. Modern global popularity through juggling + flow art communities since 1970s+. TYPES: (1) TRADITIONAL DEVIL STICKS = smooth wooden main stick + hardwood handsticks; requires more skill; typically balanced only on top. (2) FLOWER STICKS = rubber tassels/tips on main stick + rubber-coated handsticks; slower + easier; beginner-friendly. (3) FIRE DEVIL STICKS = flaming ends for performance. (4) LED DEVIL STICKS = glow patterns. GAMEPLAY: main stick TAPPED between handsticks to KEEP AIRBORNE via IDLES (basic sustaining bounces). ADVANCED TRICKS: PROPELLER (main stick spins in vertical plane), HELICOPTER (horizontal spin), FLIP (end-over-end rotation), UNDERARM PASS, PASS BETWEEN LEGS, TOSSES + CATCHES with handsticks. NON-COMPETITIVE typically — considered flow art alongside diabolo + poi + hula hoop. STREET PERFORMER staple. FLOWER STICKS considered EASIEST juggling prop for beginners due to slow motion.
Quick facts
Category
Skill Toys
Type
Individual
Players
1–1
Duration
~30 min
Where played
both
Field / court
any open space
Country of origin
🇨🇳 China
Estimated origin
Chinese origins 2000+ years ago; documented ancient Egypt; modern global juggling community adoption 1970s+
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Personal skill development + flow art performance; not competitive.
Rules
Basic rules
Main stick manipulated by 2 handsticks
Tap between handsticks to keep airborne (idle).
Not competitive typically
No formal rules; personal expression.
Fire safety mandatory for fire devil sticks
Same safety as fire poi: outdoor, spotter, fire blanket.
Scoring
Not scored. Personal skill progression. Some juggling convention informal contests.
| Action | Points |
|---|---|
| Skill mastery | Individual progression |
| Juggling convention contests | Judged difficulty + creativity |
Win condition · Not applicable — personal expression + flow.
Playing area
Called
any open space
Dimensions
~2m clearance for stick + arm-span
Any open indoor/outdoor space; fire variants outdoor only.
Equipment
Traditional devil sticks (wooden)
€20-40
Flower sticks (rubber tips)
€25-40; beginner-friendly
Fire devil sticks (Kevlar wick tips)
€60-100; performance only
LED devil sticks
€40-80
Handsticks (2)
Included with set
Strategies
Start with flower sticks (rubber tips)
Much easier learning curve than traditional wooden.
Master idle first (basic sustaining tap)
Foundation for all advanced tricks.
Consistent practice > long sessions
10 min daily beats 2 hours weekly.
Terminology
- Idle
- Basic sustaining tap keeping main stick airborne.
- Propeller
- Main stick spinning in vertical plane.
- Helicopter
- Main stick spinning in horizontal plane.
- Flip
- End-over-end rotation of main stick.
- Handstick
- Side stick manipulating main stick (2 required).
- Main stick / Baton
- Central manipulated stick.
- Tick-tock
- Alternating idle pattern.
Major competitions
IJA Festival competitions (devil sticks category)
annual · USA · since 1947
European Juggling Convention (EJC)
annual · Europe · since 1978
Flow arts + juggling conventions
worldwide · worldwide · since 1990
Where it is played
Governing bodies
No official governing body
n/a
International Jugglers' Association (IJA)
Founded 1947 · USA
Official site ↗European Juggling Association (EJA)
Founded 1975 · Europe
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Various circus + street performers globally
- Kris Kremo (Switzerland) — Multi-prop juggler including devil sticks
- Chinese acrobatic troupe performers (historic)
Learn this sport
beginner
- 1
Buy flower sticks ($25) + watch YouTube tutorials
Rubber tips much more forgiving than wooden.
- 2
Master idle (basic sustaining tap)
Foundation skill — practice 10-20 min daily.
- 3
Learn tick-tock alternating pattern
Second-most fundamental skill.
intermediate
- 1
Propeller + helicopter spins
Rotational tricks.
- 2
Flip + basic tosses
Airborne skills.
- 3
Attend local juggling club meetup
Community learning accelerates.
advanced
- 1
Complex patterns + performance routines
Combine tricks for shows.
- 2
Fire devil sticks (with formal safety training)
Performance art.
- 3
Perform at juggling conventions or circus
Community + professional opportunities.
Frequently asked
What are devil sticks?+
SKILL TOY where practitioner manipulates central STICK using 2 SIDE STICKS (handsticks). Origins in China 2000+ years ago (diabolo cousin) + ancient Egypt. Modern global popularity through juggling community since 1970s. Types: TRADITIONAL DEVIL STICKS (wooden, more skill needed), FLOWER STICKS (rubber tips, beginner-friendly), FIRE devil sticks (performance), LED (glow). Non-competitive — flow art + juggling convention performance. Popular in street performance + circus. Considered EASIEST juggling prop for beginners (flower sticks especially).
What's the difference between devil sticks and flower sticks?+
TRADITIONAL DEVIL STICKS = SMOOTH WOODEN main stick + hardwood handsticks; FAST movement, slippery, requires more precise timing. FLOWER STICKS = RUBBER TASSELS/TIPS on main stick + RUBBER-COATED handsticks; SLOWER movement (rubber grips + slows), MUCH EASIER for beginners. Both learn same tricks. FLOWER STICKS RECOMMENDED for anyone starting — devil sticks pure form only after months mastery. Devil sticks purists say wooden more elegant + traditional; flower sticks are democratic entry to art form.
How long does it take to learn devil sticks?+
BASIC IDLE (sustaining tap): HOURS to few days. TICK-TOCK PATTERN: 1-2 WEEKS practice. CONFIDENT IDLE + basic tricks: 1-2 MONTHS regular practice. PERFORMANCE-READY (10+ tricks): 6-12 MONTHS. Considered FASTER learning than juggling BALLS (much of appeal — quick results). FLOWER STICKS especially forgiving — beginner satisfaction within days. Slow-motion nature of prop makes learning satisfying visually even at beginner skill.
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Devil sticks— Wikipedia
- IJA — Devil sticks category— IJA