Like the elegant bird of prey, from which the kite drew its name, it soars and glides through the sky. The kite is the first aircraft constructed by man. In Asia, however, kite flying is apparently much older, especially among the Chinese, Koreans, Malyans, and Japanese. Kites had, and still retain, religious symbolism in the Orient. Evil spirits were believed to be kept at bay by a night flying kite.
Asian people craft elaborate and beautiful kites.
Musically talented, these kites sometimes have whistles or pipes installed in them, which the wind plays as it holds the kite aloft. In Asia, kites are not only pleasing to the eye, they sing to the flyer as well. Kite flying and the study of it has contributed greatly to our knowledge of the science of aviation. Indeed, kites were probably indispensable to our learning to fly. Many of the early scientists after Bacon used kites in their studies.