PajMon Information Blog

Posts Tagged ‘chinese kites’

The kite was invented in China more than 2,500 years ago, during the Spring and Autumn Period, by the famous Chinese philosopher Mozi. It is believed he crafted a “flying bird” out of a piece of wood that flew in the sky for a whole day. Visitors to Beijing like to buy a beautiful Chinese kites as gifts when they go shopping in the city.

[i:21:j]Before they were widely used for leisure purposes, kites were mostly used by the Chinese military to accomplish a range of missions: test the wind, measure distance, aid communication, and even help people escape. In modern times, kites are mainly used for entertainment. International events are held around the country where people fly kites to show off their special kite-making and kite-flying skills.

Cultural Note: The famous Battle of Gaxia was won by a Han general who achieved victory by weakening his enemy’s will to fight. He did this by ordering his soldiers to sing songs that reminded the enemy soldiers of their homes. He also flew kites with flutes attached that made music to accompany the singing. Hearing this, many of the enemy soldiers felt homesick and fled the battlefield.

Starting in the Tang dynasty, kites were used more and more as a tool for entertainment than a military device. Royal family members who lived inside the imperial palace started the tradition of flying kites. Soon the commoners followed suit and kite-flying became a popular activity.

But the function of kites as a military device was never completely gone, and came back with force in the Ming dynasty. Generals of the Ming army found it very effective to surprise and shock enemy soldiers with kites that dropped explosives on their camps. Kites were used as a primitive type of bomber.

Different kite-making styles have developed in different regions of China over the years. The six “Kite Cities” have their own unique styles: Beijing, Kaifeng, Tianjin, Weifang, Nantong, and Yangjiang.

Weifang is sometimes called the “Kite Capital of the World.” It is believed the first kite was invented in this city. The largest kite museum in the world is here, and it covers an area of over 8,100 square meters. Every year, kite fans from all over the world come to Weifang to watch and take part in the annual International Kite Festival. The local kites are famous for their sophisticated craftsmanship.

Beijing boasts a long tradition of kite-making. Local kite artisans are known for their excellent skills and unparalleled experience, in part because the tradition here started by making kites for the royal family. The kites they make have cultured designs, beautiful patterns, and light bodies.

[I:http://www.pajmon.info/wp-content/uploads/2009/07/AndyLao22.jpg]Kites made in the other four “Kite Cities” have their own charming, distinct local characteristics. Nantong kites, for example, have whistles and other items attached to them that make beautiful sounds in the sky.

When shopping for kites in Beijing’s shops, select the ones that are made of good materials and demonstrate a high level of craftsmanship. As far as the material goes, if you want to use your kite more as a decoration, you should choose one that is made of pure silk; if you want to use your kite mainly for flying, one that is made of nylon would be ideal for you. Kite frames are usually made of bamboo or metal. Remember to check the frame to see if it is broken or has cracks. Go with a personal shopping assistant in Beijing for professional advice.