Chinese Kites

Chinese Kites Highlight East China's Weifang City

2009-03-31T07:13:00.000-07:00

A handicraftswoman draws vivid patterns of folklore figures of traditional Chinese New Year paintings on the surface of kites, at Yangjiabu Town, Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, March 18, 2009. With reputation as one of the top three production bases for wood carving New Year paintings in China, Yangjiabu Town boasts of an annual capacity of making over 1.1 million folklore Chinese kites, which sells to more than 20 countries and regions. (Xinhua/Wang Lijun).

A handicraftsman elaborates on a kite with vivid patterns of folklore figures of traditional Chinese New Year paintings, at Yangjiabu Town, Weifang City, east China's Shandong Province, March 18, 2009.

National Kite Month is Almost Here

2009-03-25T20:20:00.000-07:00

National Kite Month is March 28th - May 3rd, 2009

If you're into kites, you're just as excited as I am that Kite Month is almost here! National Kite Month is a year long effort by kite professionals, enthusiasts, supporters, manufacturers, and friends to promote the wonderful qualities that kite flying has to offer people of all ages & physical ability levels. Kiting is truly a universal activity, limited only by the imagination.

For more information on Kites please visit our Squidoo Lens! Happy Flying fellow Kiters!

24th Annual Santa Barbara Kite Festival

2009-03-25T18:38:00.000-07:00

Mark your calendars and gas up the car the 24th annual Santa Barbara Kite Festival, will take flight 11am-4pm, Sunday, April 5th, 2009. The festival will be held in the “Great Meadow” on the west campus of Santa Barbara City College. The blufftop lawn overlooks the beautiful Santa Barbara harbor and breakwater and is a perfect location for kite flying. Parking is plentiful on campus and admission to the festival is free. The Santa Barbara Kite Festival is always a fun-filled family-style affair featuring kites of all sizes, shapes and colors. Flyers of all abilities are welcome.Competitions range from “kite fighting” and “sport flying” for skilled flyers, to the more accessible categories such as “most beautiful”, “highest flying”, and “largest kites”. One of the most popular events held throughout the day is the “tail chase” for children. Children in various age groups try to catch the tail of a kite as it dips and dives through the air. Prizes will be awarded in most categories. Kites will be available for purchase at the festival.

Location:
Great Meadow, West campus, Santa Barbara City College
721 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, CA USA

(AKA Region 12)

Directions:
Go to www.sbkitefest.com for google mapperFrom the South:101 NorthTake the Bath Street Exit.At stoplight (Haley St) turn left.At stoplight (Castillo St) turn leftCome back underneath the freeway.At stoplight (E. Montecito St) turn right.Stay on this road, it becomes Cliff Drive.Go through two intersections with stoplights.After you go through the second intersection, get in the second left turn lane(very long).Turn left into West Campus of SBCC.Drive straight ahead. Park in any of the four lots on the left side.From the North:101 SouthTake Castillo St. ExitTurn right onto Castillo St.At next stoplight (E. Montecito St.) turn right.Stay on this road, it becomes Cliff Drive.Go through two intersections with stoplights.After you go through the second intersection, get in the second left turn lane(very long).Turn left into West Campus of SBCC.Drive straight ahead. Park in any of the four lots on the left side.

For more information about Kites and Kite Crafts please visit our website.

Making Tiny Chinese Kites

2009-03-17T09:01:00.000-07:00

Celebrate the Ch'ing Ming Festival, or any festive holiday, with these Tiny Chinese Kites!

Supplies you will need:
manilla file folder
scissors
disposable chopsticks or a bamboo skewer
washable markers
pin or paper clip to poke kite holes
sewing thread

In China, kites were tools before they were toys. More than 2,500 years ago, wooden kites were flown there. Silk kites were used for religious purposes. When released, the kites became flying messages, soaring upwards to sky spirits. With the invention of paper, kites were more available and were used to help with farming and fishing.

Kites performed military tasks such as calling troops to action. Soldiers flew in kites to spy on enemies and to enter walled cities. One story tells how kites with flutes were flown over military troops who became so homesick from their music that the soldiers gave up and went home.

Now kites are flown for pleasure and competition. There are many kite festivals in China. The Ch'ing Ming Festival falls 106 days after the winter solstice. It is a time to remember ancestors, family members who lived before you. Families pay respects to their dead relatives by visiting and cleaning their grave sites. Ch'ing Ming means "Pure Brightness." It is a celebration of springtime and the renewal of life. This usually takes place on the 4th or 5th of April. The custom of kite flying is tied to the ancient religious rituals of releasing diseases or calamities with the kite. Sounds cool right?

Now let's make our own Tiny Chinese Kite. First off you will need to pick the Chinese symbol for your kite. You can find symbols to use here or if you already have one that's great. Make sure it's bold enough to be seen from the ground.

With scissors, cut out a small, heart-shaped kite (without the dip in the top) from a folded recycled file folder. Match the size of your kite to the length of the disposable chopsticks or bamboo skewers you will use for cross pieces. Unfold and draw your Chinese symbol on both sides of the kite with washable markers.

Fold your kite vertically along its centerline. Punch out two small holes near the top and bottom of kite. Unfold and fold the kite horizontally about one third of way down from its top. Punch three holes each on the left and right sides of the kite. Weave the disposable chopsticks or bamboo skewers through the holes in a lower-case T shape.

Cut a piece of strong thread for the kite's bridle and tie it to the spine. Tie a small loop of thread to the bridle. Attach another loop to the bottom of the spine and connect a long length of ribbon to it for the kite tail. Tie a kite flying line to the thread loop on your bridle. Your kite is ready for take off. Adjust the length of the tail to help the kite fly evenly. These kites also make beautiful decorations.

For more great FREE craft ideas please visit my website.

World Kite Museum & Hall of Fame