Flat kites are constructed within a single plane, and are made of a complete rigid bamboo frame. All (four) sides of the frame or of the frame segements are limited by bamboo spars.These kites are very easy to fly. Most of them are flown with long tails to grant a stable in-flight behaviour. Flat kites are build in many forms and types, very often with pictorial motives from ancient myths and religious ideas, very ofthen with a picture of the ying-yang sign. The number of kite edges is often derived from the number four as a luck promising numeral. The examle on the left side has two by four edges and is therefore named "eight-orclediagram-kite"
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Soft-Winged-Kites
The wings of this kind of kites do have rigid upper rims. The lower sections of all these wings are flexible. Very often these kind of kites have more than one pair of wings, that are arranged one pair above the other. The kite on the left side is an example with two pairs of wings, representing a precious breed of a goldfish. Every single Wing has a rigid upper rim made of bamboo. Pictorial motives and forms represent all kind of birds, insects, fishes etc.. When floating in the wind these kites give a very vivid sight of flight
Hard Winged-Kites
Kites with hard wings have symmetrically arranged bamboo frames; the rigid central frame enhances the overall rigidity of the kite, as does the directly to the frame glued paper or silk covering. The two crossed tail spars do not form a complete frame. Thus the free moveing lower seam of the triangle, formed by the crossed bamboo spars and the kite sail, will arch and form a point of attack for the wind. Yangjiabu kites are a typical example for Kites with hard wings from WeiFang. The kite sail is made of paper or silk, and is coloured by woodcut and/or hand painted. Pictorial motives and kite forms are of local custom
1.Centipede-Kites
Centipedes are kites-trains with a dragon head and a train of equally dimensioned kite disks. Head and disks are interconnected with one, mostly three lines. Centipedes may have enormous tractive power. These kites gives an attractive and vivid in-flight view, especially when the wind moves and deforms the kite train. Centipedes with dragon heads are typical for this kind of kite and are a specialty of WeiFang
Four kinds of Chinese Kites
Chinese kites may be differentiated into four main categories: 1. Centipede- or Skolopender Kites (derived from ancient Greek centipede)2. Hard winged kites3. Soft winged kites or4.Flat kites.
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
History of Kites
The first descriptions of kites made with bamboo frames covered by paper and silk, originate from the Tang Dynasty (618-907 o.o t.). Within his book of kites, Yang Cai writes not only about the classic Wooden-Black-Eard-Kite, but also about many other kinds, known and build up to date. Especially the heron or egret kite, a bird kite with wings and legs that are moving like real ones, gives a realistic view of flight. Todays quality kites sometimes are constructed according to these historic patterns mimicing a living birds when landing. Just have a look at the Hunting Eagle Kites with his realistic claws, threedimensional beak and inclined head. When landing this kite, it gives a realistic impression of an eagle preying game.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
The History of Weifang
Weifang is a modern city with many traditions. The city has about a million inhabitants, and is situated in Shandong, the most easterly province of China. WeiFang is known from anciant times, and has a rich history and culture of more than 1000 years. Kites from WeiFang are amongst the best ones in China.During the Spring-and-Autumn-Period and the period of the Warrying-Empires (475-221 v.u.Z), some 2300 years ago, the first kite had been developed in the province of Shandong. The long literary tradition of China enables us to find more detailed information. Regarding to the book of Han Fei Zi, the master of joinery Mu Zi had been contructing within three years time of developement a man-lifting kite, known as the Wooden-Black-Eard-Kite. The book of Hong Shu tells us, that some time later the master of joinery named Lu Ban, had been building another Wooden-Black-Eard-Kite, that had been used as reconaissance device above the ancient city of SongCheng. Both masters originate from the ancient state of Lu, today named Qufu. Qufu is known as the birthplace of Confucius (551-479 b.c.). The city of Qufu has historic grounds of outstanding historical interest, especially the imperial palace of the Confucius family, the grove and parque with the grave of Confucius, and the extent living quarters of the dukes of the Confucius descendants.
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