Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-11-28
CHINESE ORNATE KITES
OF THE AMERICAN
MUSEUM OF NATURAL HISTORY.
Gay1y Decorated Aerial Contrivances
That Entertain Asiatic Peoples
Flying Dragons.
From the New York Tribune.

Inc new AStatlC ana CnlneSo CoficcuOn re-
Gently received at the American Museum Of
Natural History and which will be shortly
displayed to the public in one Of the un-
opened west halls. contains many rare and
interesting objects new to the eyes Of the
western world One of the most striking
and spectacular features Is q series Of Chi
Eese kites. lavishly ornamented. and con-
structed in the most astonishing and fan
cfful designs. The ordinary kite OF the
Yankee boy. with its primitive shape and
plain surface. is decidedly crude and in
significant contrivance alongside the scien-
tifc and gayly decorated productions han
died by the Chinaman. These kites came
from the vicinity Of Picking.
They form a part of an extensive exhibit
now being gathered from eastern Asia by
DIR. Berthold Laufer. distinguished orien-
tai traveller and scholar. who Is versed IN
the language and customs Of Asiatfc peo-
pies Through the generosity Of Morris K.
Jesup, esq.,, and several others. this spe-
cial collection has been procured. the scope
Of which Is designed to fully illustrate the
and Industries of the Chinese: in fact. to
thoroughly emphasize the general charac-
teristics Of their culture on a larger scale
than hitherto attempted In this country.
necessary. in view of the increasing politi-
cal intercourse and rapidly expanding COM
merce between our country and eastern
Asia.
Chinese Love Of Art.
Their great love of art, which pervades
the whole life Of the Chinese people. is most
viyidly portrayed in their kites. In their
varied shapes. ranging from animal to hui
man forms, they are at all times extremely
picturesque. artistic in shape and brilliant
in coloring. In height they vary from one
To as Thn FRO 10 do of Aobt
bamboo sticks across which is stretched
heavy rice paper. on which is painted in
snowy colors the design or figure which
the kite Is intended to represent The kite
nese mind. and is therefore emblematic in
way. Kites are also considered magical
and symbolic Of the human soul. They are
made in the likeness OF gods. famous war
rfors, butterflies, gigantic dragon flies,
frogs. owls. fishes and neurological heroes.
special class of artisans, we'll up in the
present and bygone beliefs Of the people ar
range and create the innumerable designs
Of the kite.
The Chinese are the most expert kite fly
ers of the world. excelline their neighbors.
the Japanese and Coreans, who likewise
take considerable interest In this amuse
ment The kites used in these two latter
countries are inferior in size. and are sell
dom ornamented. In China kite flying Is
national paSume, and many thousands
will assemble on the hills on certain holi-
witnessing this favorite sport. One of the
principal kite flying occasions Is on the
ninth day Of the ninth month, which is
called the Festival of Ascending on High.
open country. some carrying tiny kites
foot long. others huge. cross-shaped ones,
taller than a mans head.
The Dragon Myth.
Probably the most extraordinary and
fantastic of all the kites is the one repre-
senting the flying dragon. which plays such
ar important part in Chinese mythology.
This is the record breaking kite of the
world both In regard to length and its
peculiar construction. When In flight 1t
measures nearly forty feet The front Is
composed Of a ferocious head. having
wide mouth and protruding horns. The
large eyes are formed of curved pieces of
board, and are made to revolve, producing
a loud humming sound In flight. Below
the dragon head is a series Of pasteboard
disks, attached by cord to bamboo sticks,
a yard in length. running crosswise. The
disks are about a foot in diameter, and are
painted in black. red. yellow and white.
The extreme tall portion Is composed of
silken strips or streamers. This remark
able aerial device is manipulated by a cord
from the rear, while some distance below
the kite three additional lines run to equal
the kite when In action Seen In the air,
with its pair of glazing and revolving eyes
and serpentine motion. it produces a highly
realistic picture Of the mighty flying dra-
gon of the upper world.
Another favorite shape for their kites Ia
the large dragon fly This Is due to the
deep rooted Buddhist belief Of the return
of the souls Of the departed in various an
imal forms Both in China and Japan
dragon flies are thought to be used as
winged steeds Of the dead, selected to
carry them and the spirits Of their ances-
tors when they revisit their homes again.
During the Festival of the Bon. which il
composed of bonfires kindled In front Of
the houses to welcome the return of ghosts.
the children are not allowed to modest or
kill any dragon flies, particularly those who
get into the family house. The warrior
kites are made to attack and fight one an
other in the air by skillful manipulation of
their strings. and money Is freely staked
on the result of these combats.
DR.. Stewart Cullen of the Brooklyn Mu-
scum of Arts and Sciences. and recently
curator of the Museum of Archaeology of
the University of Pennsylvania, who is
one of the best recognized authorities On
oriental games and sports. says that China
Is the original home of the kite, and states
that a Chinese general, the founder of the
Han Dynasty, invented the first kite about
1875 B. c.. and sent 1t up to measure the
distance of the palace Me intended. to be-
siege and enter by digging tunnel to
terminate about the center of the structure
A GRASSHOPPER RACE.