Kites are devices that are meant to be flown in the air at the end of a string. Making kites and flying kites is an enjoyable and relaxing activity, as well as a competitive sport in many parts of the world. In fact, most kite flying festivals all across Asia have "kite fights," which is a revered and an ancient tradition where players attempt to cut down their adversaries' kites by cutting off their lines. This is accomplished by using small, highly maneuverable "fighter kites" that are attached to glass-coated "cutting lines." These specialty "cutting lines" are used to cut off the lines of contending kites.

In Korea, men, women and children fly kites during the first few days of the New Year. Kite flying is also something to look forward to, and an essential component of the boys' festival, which is held each May in Japan, and in China, one day each year is commemorated as Kites' Day. On those days, thousands of kites fashioned like fish, butterflies and dragons take to the air and float over the cities and towns. Thailand also supports an International Kite Festival in which all kites fall into one of two categories: chula (male) or pakpao (female) kites. The kites are huge and need quite a lot of people to fly them. There are also kite-flying contests held every year in the United States and Canada.

Types of Kites

There are many different types of kites. The simplest kind of kites is the two-stick solitary plane bow kite. It can be bought ready-made or it can be assembled from do-it-yourself kits or made completely by hand. For simple kites the sticks can be of any strong lightwood with a straight grain. The covering material can just be regular brown wrapping paper, or a wispy, light cloth, such as silk or nylon. Plastic sheets of different kinds are also used by kite makers. In addition, cloth is used for the tail and a string for the flight line. There are also more sophisticated kinds of kites that can be assembled.

The box kite consists basically of two rectangular boxes, open on two parallel sides each and connected by a common framework. Lawrence Hargrave invented it in the 1890's. Box kites are more difficult to build than stick kites, but they are outstanding flyers and will keep their place for long periods. Box kites also adjust well to changes in the wind, and they do not require a tail.

How to Fly Kites

Kites take to the air, like airplanes, on the aerodynamic theory of wind pressure against a heavier-than-air object. The engine and propeller of the airplane generate wind pressure as they propel the aircraft all the way through the air. When the pressure is strong enough to conquer gravity, the plane is pressed up and permitted to stay in the air. The same effect of wind pressure is created by the kite flyer as he runs across an open field. As the kite moves against the wind, the string tips the face of the kite onward. The wind pushes up on this tipped face and raises the kite, just as a wedge pressed beneath an object lifts it up.

Jim Remington is a researcher and writer working for http://www.akiratoys.com, where you can get all the best kites, spinners, and toys at the best prices. Visit us for all your chinese kites needs.