Chinese Kites

In the history of flight, the first lighter-than-air balloon (1783) and the first airplane (1904) are very recent when compared with the age of kites.

Chinese Kites go back over two thousand years! They began there use in the military of China and then became and intricate part of their arts and entertainment.

The kite first appeared in war in China from 770 BC - 476 BC. According to historical records, the prominent ideologist Mo Zi spent 3 years constructing the world's first bamboo kite. One book noted that Lu Ban, a Chinese carpenter, engineer, philosopher, inventor, and military strategist also made kites which were flown high to spy on the situation of the enemy during battle.

The technology evolved further during the famous historical Chu-Han War of 203 - 202 BC. The general of the Han troops, Zhang Liang ordered his soldiers to fly kites in the heavy fog around the Chu troops led by Xiang Yu. Children sitting in the large kites played songs that reminded the enemy of home on their flutes. Hearing the melodies, the Chu soldiers began to miss their homes and left without fighting in the war. Kites were also used during this period by the Han troops to deliver messages.

During the Tang Dynasty from 618 AD - 907 AD society began to develop steadily and prosperously. Kites were used in the area of amusement instead of in military affairs. Entertainment thrived with the development of culture and economy and kites became the treasures of the people of the court and the country. Every Ch'ing Ming (which means "Pure Brightness") people took time not just to worship their ancestors but also to take a walk in the countryside to enjoy pastoral life. During this time the people of China would make and fly kites to enjoy the pleasing mood of Spring. Kite-flying is still to this day believed to be good for the soul and ones health.

Chinese Kites are works of art, whether done by a master craftsman or a class of young children. In both cases, the idea is to fly an artistic design on the end of a string, sounds cool huh!

Craftsmanship of Chinese Kites can be broken down into four points:

* Structuring: selecting bamboo, chopping bamboo, bending bamboo, and joining bamboo
* Paperhanging: selecting material, cutting out, paperhanging, and cutting away or adding material as needed.
* Color drawing: drawing a picture, outlining, dyeing (or coloring), and decorating.
* Flying: finding the location and the right weather, launching the kite into the air, adjusting the line, and controlling your kite.

All of these points take skill and patience. I believe making Chinese Kites builds essential skills in children that they will take with them throughout their entire lives.

There are four categories with kites, although this is argued by many on different levels. Some say there are only two while others argue there are eight but in my opinion I break it down like this:

* Centipede (multiple flat sections stacked together plus a 'head')
* Rigid Winged (paper or silk tightly stretched over rigid spars)
* Soft Winged (flexible structures behind just one spar)
* Flat (just like the name says)

Those awesome Dragon Kites you see are an excellent example of a centipede kite and my favorite I will add. I just adore Chinese kites and even more I love to make them. My family and I find such pleasure in creating our own kites. The gratification is unreal when you fly a kite you made with your own hands.

The craftsmanship of Chinese Kites can be broken down into four points:

- Structuring: selecting bamboo, chopping bamboo, bending bamboo, and joining bamboo.

-Paperhanging: selecting material, cutting out, paperhanging, and cutting away or adding material as needed.

-Color drawing: drawing a picture, outlining, dyeing (or coloring), and decorating.

-Flying: finding the location and the right weather, launching the kite into the air, adjusting the line, and controlling your kite.

According to taste, kites can have shapes as diverse as that of a dragonfly, swallow, centipede or butterfly. The four most common types of Chinese kites are:

-Centipede (multiple flat sections stacked together plus a 'head')
-Rigid Winged (paper or silk tightly stretched over rigid spars)
-Soft Winged (flexible structures behind just one spar)
-Flat (just like the name says)

When I think about how complex the Chinese Kite is it amazes me still. All kites derived from the Chinese kite. If the Chinese Kite was a potato all other kites would be french fries. All kites were stemmed from the Chinese kite just as all french fries come from the potato. Sorry folks, its the best analogy I could come up with but I think it makes my point.

If you are interested in flying a kite, you should choose a sunny and windy day so you can enjoy the open air. Fly your kite in an open area free from electrical wires and passing cars. The string on a kite wheel needs to be tough and durable. Most importantly bring a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from bright sunshine. Even if the sun is not shining brightly you should still protect your eyes with sunglasses because the glare in the sky and still be harmful.

Celebrate Chinese New Year and the country's ancient culture with animal zodiac kites. This is a very simple craft for ages 4 and up! Or if you have a very advanced three year old like I do.

You will need:
Scissors, poster board, construction paper, ribbon, glue sticks, markers, crayons, pin or paperclip (to poke kite holes), string

Step # 1
With Scissors, cut poster board into a diamond kite shape. Cover the entire kite with construction paper. Trim the edges with ribbon and attach using your glue stick.

Step # 2
On separate paper, draw an animal zodiac figure with markers. Choose the animal that symbolizes the current year, or the upcoming new year. Color your zodiac figure with markers. Cut out the zodiac figure. Glue the animal to the kite.

Pick the animal of your choice:


Step # 3
Punch holes in the top and bottom points of the kite. Thread ribbon or string through the holes. Add craft feathers or other ornamentation if you wish.

Viola! You're done! You have made your very own Chinese kite to celebrate Chinese New Year!