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Diabolo

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The Chinese yo-yo (扯鈴, 中國搖搖, 響簧, 斗空竹, or 空竹), also called the diabolo (commonly misspelled as diablo) in Western countries, is a traditional Chinese toy similar to the yo-yo. It consists of a spool which is whirled and tossed on a string tied to two sticks held one in each hand. Diabolo means two bowls, describing the shape of the spool which resembles two bowls attached at their bases. Some Chinese yo-yos are designed to make a whistling sound when spinning at high speed. They are often used in acrobatic or Chinese ethnic dance performance. The performance of Chinese yo-yos is often considered a form of juggling. A huge variety of tricks are possible using the sticks, string, and various body parts. Multiple diabolos can be spun on a single string. Chinese yo-yos come in different shapes and materials. Large or heavy yo-yos tend to retain their momentum longer and are easier to use, whereas small or light yo-yos can be thrown higher and are faster to get spinning quickly. Rubber yo-yos are less prone to breakage, and metal yo-yos (with an appropriate wick and fuel) can be set on fire.

Standard and small-sized Western rubber diabolos, with control sticks in the background

Traditional Chinese diabolos have a long thin axle, with disc-shaped wheels, while the Western adaptation is more cone-shaped.

Terms

  • Suicide - To temporarily let go of one stick and then do a trick and catch it again.
  • Duicide - To let go of both sticks during a trick.
  • Grind - To balance the yo-yo on a stick
  • Snaps, Burners, Thrusts, Pulls - Methods to accelerate the yo-yo.
  • Sun - The yo-yo is pushed round in a large circle.
  • Cradle - The line is tangled to form a shape and the yo-yo itself is tossed on or in the shape.
  • Whip (catch) - The yo-yo is tossed into air and caught with a whipping motion of the line towards the diabolo
  • Orbit - The yo-yo is tossed and caught repeatedly in a circular motion
  • Over (bodypart) - Advanced orbits to go around some body part, usually the hand, arm, or leg
  • Knot - The line is tangled in a way it creates an illusion that the yo-yo is jammed; it can then be released, usually with an upwards toss motion
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