Kites were invented by the Chinese people over
2000 years ago. About in the 12th century, Chinese kite spread to the
West, and the oriental and Western kite culture was formed after years
of development. In this process, Chinese traditional culture integrated with the kite
craft, and finally formed the kite culture with unique characteristics.
The workmanship of
Chinese kites can be summarized in four points: structuring, paperhanging, color
drawing, and flying.
Structuring includes: selecting bamboo, chopping bamboo, bending bamboo, and
joining bamboo.
Paperhanging includes: selecting material, cutting out, paperhanging, and
cutting away or adding material as needed.
Color drawing includes: composing picture, outlining, dyeing (or coloring),
and decorating.
Flying includes: selecting site and weather, choosing the kite, launching the
kite into the air, adjusting the line, and controlling the kite.
To make a kite, first,
the right kind of bamboo strips must be selected for the frame. It should
be thick and strong for a kite of large dimensions in order to stand the wind
pressure. The regular paper or sometime silk is used to
cover the frame. Silk kites, especially, are more durable and generally of
higher artistic value. Third, painting the kite may be done in each
way.
China has a large area of territory. As a
traditional culture and folk art, kite has formed unique style of different
regions during its development, among which the most famous ones are the styles
of Beijing, Tianjin, Weifang in Shangdong Province, Sichuan and Guangdong
Province.