The History of Kites
The exact date of when kites were invented is not known. Where they
came from, one can only make an educated guess. The popular belief is
that they were first flown in China over 2 thousand years ago. The
earliest documentation available of a kite flying is 200 BC. The Chinese
General Han Hsin of the Han Dynasty employed a kite to figure out how
far his army would need to dig a tunnel to get past the defenses behind
the wall of the enemy. How did he do it? He simply flew a kite over the
wall! This led to victory, and the history of the kite had begun.
Traders from China carried the art of kite flying to Korea, Asia and
India. Each culture took the knowledge and put their own spin on the
idea, creating individual styles of kites and reasons for them. In the
year 600 in Korea, the Dynasty of Silla General Gim Yu-sin was mandated
to stop a revolt. His army refused to cooperate with him, as they had
seen a bad omen in the sky and would not fight. The General had no
choice but to counteract this bad omen. He did so with a kite! The large
kite, as legend portrays, carried a large fire ball into the sky,
convincing the soldiers that the bad omen was in reverse, and was
actually a sign to fight and victory is assured, and it was.
In the 7th century, Buddhist monks brought kites to Japan. They used
the kites to convince evil spirits to leave the countryside in which
they inhabited, and to bless their crops and other endeavors that had
hope of prosperity. This may have been the first instance of kites being
used in ritual prayer and blessings. During the days of Edo in Japan,
kite flying became all the rage. For the first time, all classes of
people were allowed to enjoy and fly kites. It was discouraged, as it
was felt people were not paying attention to work, but overall, it was
an enjoyable pastime in an often dreary life. Perhaps this is why there
are many legends and stories passed down through families that have to
do with heroes and kites overcoming oppression.
Indian kite flying appears around the Mogul Period, supported by the
favored miniature paintings of that period. They, being a very creative
culture, found all sorts of uses for kites. From dropping love letters
to lovers to carrying bait out into the water where fish fed, there are
many interesting legends and support of them through art and
documentation. There are still kite contests that take place today in
remote villages throughout the islands.
It is known that Marco Polo also carried the stories of kite flying
with him around Europe in the latter 13th century. Much later, Benjamin
Franklin and Alexander Wilson took kite flying to a new level as a study
tool of weather and the wind. The Wright brothers were known to have
flown kites for years in preparation of someday flying themselves.
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