Kites are ingenious contraptions that are intended to be flown high in the sky 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. As a matter of fact, most kite flying festivals all across Asia have "kite fights," which is a revered and an ancient tradition where participants try to down their opponents' kites by cutting 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 all throughout the opening days of the New Year. Kite flying is also something to look forward to, and an important part 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 shaped like fish, butterflies and dragons take to the air and soar over the cities and towns. Thailand also sponsors an International Kite Festival in which all kites fall into one of two classes: 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 numerous assorted forms of kites. The basic kind of kites is the two-stick solitary plane bow kite. It can be purchased ready-made or it can be put together 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 lightweight cloth, such as silk or nylon. Plastic sheets of different kinds are also used. 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 fundamentally of two rectangular boxes, open on two parallel sides each and connected by a common framework. Lawrence Hargrave conceived of the original design 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 fly, like airplanes, on the aerodynamic principle 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 great enough to overcome gravity, the plane is pushed up and allowed to remain aloft. The similar consequence of wind pressure is produced by the kite flyer as he sprints across an open field. As the kite moves against the wind, the string tips the face of the kite onward. The wind shoves up on this tipped face and raises the kite, just as a wedge pressed beneath an object lifts it up.