Glow Sticks and Modern Culture
The influence of the glow stick on modern culture, after years of its invention and use, is clearly evident. Glow sticks have evolved from practical and military tools to cultural items; they are no longer a mere tool for household and emergency use anymore. From a simple item arised a new expressive art form, new ways to celebrate, and new business opportunities — glow sticks took popular culture by storm. Many new artistic cultural activities have arisen from the use of glow sticks, such as a dance form called glowsticking. It is a new pop culture dance that is performed by holding a glow stick and moving around in intricate dance moves.
Mostly, these moves are performed and accompanied by fast electronic music. The flexibility of glow sticks allows them to be easily adopted by popular culture. These items have been widely used since then. Rave parties are one situation where glow sticks are used. These parties are usually, if not always, filled with people intoxicated with drugs and alcohol. The art of glowsticking was created for and flourished from raves, but it is now a separate cultural phenomenon.
The military first discovered the use of glow sticks as a signaling device. These items were favored particularly for their durability and independence from electricity. Glow sticks also offer practical uses in sports. They can be used as baits and tracking lights, for example. They were also kept in automobiles, so drivers could use them as emergency signals if necessary. Similarly, they were kept in households in cases of power outages. This portable light source then entered the world of popular culture and since then, it has been extensively used for celebrations, parties, and festivals.
The extensive use of glow sticks for recreational purposes can be seen through different festivals around the world. One such event is Hong Kong’s Mid-Autumn Festival, which uses glow sticks during its celebration. The celebration of the Mid-Autumn Festival starts with the family eating moon cakes and pomelo at night when the moon is at its fullest. The tradition has changed as time passed, and the use of glow sticks is one change that was made. The Mid-Autumn Festival, as well as many other festivals around the world, found glow sticks and glow necklaces to be a good way to brighten up and keep peoples’ spirits high during the celebrations.
A simple item can change a nation’s culture completely. Glow sticks are proof of this phenomenon. These products are simple but fascinating, and will always be in our cultural history.
