Abstract: The present invention relates to a light emitting medium which includes a container and a liquid core. In accordance with an important aspect of the invention, the liquid core includes an aqueous solution or mixture of a water-soluble polymer. The refractive indices of the liquid core and that of the container may be different. However, the aqueous solution or mixture may have a lower or higher refractive index than that of the container. The mixture may be completely transparent or translucent and have a color other than clear. The container may be of any material that is translucent or transparent and be of any color. The raw materials for the light emitting medium in accordance with the present invention are less costly than known light guides and offer numerous advantages when compared to other illumination light guides. Water advantageously is a major raw material of the present invention. The water-soluble polymer component may be used in relatively minute amounts.