What is "sparkles"

Usage examples of "sparkles".

And are these your usual sparkles or something a bit different, I wonder?

The darting sparkles slowed and then drifted to earth, like fat flakes of snow, their light extinguishing when they touched the ground.

He pressed himself through the sparkles and went through the door beyond.

A cloud of glittering sparkles drifted over Reynart, then settled to the ground.