A fluorescent tube is constituted by a fluorescent tubular body having a transparent glass tube coated with a fluorescent layer containing a fluorescent material on its inner surface, and an ultraviolet LED substrate inserted in the fluorescent tubular body and having an equal length to the fluorescent tubular body. The ultraviolet LED substrate has twenty-four ultraviolet light emitting devices each having a long life, and the left end of the ultraviolet LED substrate is connected with lead wires through which electric power is supplied. Accordingly, when ultraviolet rays are emitted from the twenty-four ultraviolet light emitting devices, the fluorescent layer emits light in its own fluorescent color, the fluorescent tubular body as a whole emits light and the surroundings are illuminated with the light. Hence, the fluorescent tube can be used for illumination. Alternatively, the fluorescent tubular body may be formed by a transparent silicone rubber which can be bent into any desired shape.