When was kites invented

He wrote about the use of wooden bird kites in China during his lifetime. Another source indicates that a paper kite, the zhi yuan, was used as an emergency warning device. This occurred a millennium later, when the kite was flown in order to appeal for help during the siege of Nanjing. Paper kites are still used in China, but are seen as more of a traditional art than a viable pastime. It was not until the Tang CE Dynasty that lighter kites made of first silk and then paper bamboo was a common material used for the ribs made their appearance.

It was at this time that the kite came to transcend its humble military, or functional, origins, becoming an instrument of pleasure. It was not long before artisans began to compete in creating the most artistic, the most acrobatic kites.

Kites featured colorful decorations in the form of birds, flowers, blossoms, and of course, calligraphy. The Chinese kite, not unlike the case of the Chinese lantern and the Chinese umbrella, became a vehicle of artistic expression — oftentimes with literary overtones.

The construction of kites has changed over the years. New materials and better understanding of flight have given modern kites a serious advantage in flight. However the ancient methods are still interesting and worthy of note.

Kite construction consists of three parts: framing, gluing and decoration. With framing, light woods such as bamboo were often used to create the bones of the kite. These are both light, exceptionally strong, and pliable. Many frame shapes were popular, including traditional representations of birds, butterflies and dragonflies, as well as non-winged insects such as centipedes or mythical animals like dragons.

Modern kite artisans go beyond the traditional, producing kites that conform only to the creator's imagination. Material such as plastic and nylon allow for bright colors and enhanced durability. LED lights and specialized noise makers also enhance the kite flying and viewing experience. Sometimes movement is incorporated into a kite by means of a hinged arrangement of sections of the frame, suggesting wing or tail movement, etc.

Silk, paper, nylon and other modern materials are used for the kite's "sail". Silk is very beautiful but also more expensive and more fragile. Paper is both cheaper and more practical to work with, and it lends itself admirably to decoration. The paper type used for kites is very thin but fibrous, which both reduces weight and ensures strength.

It is often treated with a with a thin layer of oil to preserve it. Once the kite's sail material is glued to the bamboo frame, the kite is then decorated. In addition, tassels and sometimes hollow reeds are attached to the kite in order to give it movement or produce sound. The city of Weifang , Shandong Peninsula, has a special relationship to the kite. The city is namely home to the International Kite Association, and holds the Weifang International Kite Festival from April 20th to the 25th each year.

Kite enthusiasts in the thousands, and from all corners of the globe, descend upon the city of Weifang at this time each year to participate in the kite competitions. It tells stories about the origin and the development of kite. Beijing is an old city with a long history, and hutongs of different sizes distributed in this city are the best witnesses of its ups and downs. With all spots located in the suburb of Beijing, this route will offer visitors an extradinary opportunity to get closer to nature.

The transit without visa policy for foreigners holding effective international travel documents, determining dates in hours has been implemented in Beijing, Tianjin and Hebei. Follow Us. About us Contact us business cooperation. Hot search. Royal gardens. Modern nightlife. Kites may date back as far as years, where they were made from bamboo and silk in China.

Exactly how or when a kite was first flown is a mystery, but one legend suggests that when a Chinese farmer tied a string to his hat to keep it from blowing away in a strong wind, the first kite was born. Another theory suggests that to make a high official's banner more visible, it was strengthened with a bamboo frame and flown. Or it may have been inspired by observing the wind-filled sails of fishing boats the sail has been used in China for years.

Perhaps the earliest kites consisted of a huge leaf attached to a long string there is a type of Asian leaf that is ideal as a kite. Children of course delighted in playing with kites, but ancient woodblock prints illustrate its dual nature as a toy and utilitarian device. Kites for work or play were made from wood, bamboo, paper, or silk. The earliest written account of kite flying was about B.