The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-11-08
le American Museum

! something to the Chinese mind, and is
therefore ennblemantic- inEa way Kites
cal Of the, human soul. They are made
in the likeness of gods, famous warriors,
butterflies, gigantic dragon flies, frogs,
owls, fishes and neurological heroes. A
special class of artisans, well up in the
present and bygone beliefs of the people,
! arrange and create the innumerable de-
signs of the kite.
The Chinese are the most expert KITE
flyers of the world, eXcelling their neigh
bors, the Japanese and Koreans, who like
wise take considerable interest in this
amusement. The kites used in these latter
two countries are inferior in size, and
are seldom ornamented. In China Aite
flying is a national pastime and many
thousands will assemble on the hills on
certain holidays for the purpose of en-
gaging in and witnessing this faYorlte
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 muititudes. old and
young, throng to the open country. some
carrying tiny kites a foot long, others
huge, cross shaped ones, taller than
mans head.
fantastic of all the kites is the one rep
reSenfing the flying dragon, which plays
such an important part in Chinese my
thoiogy. This is the record breaking kite
of the world. both in regard to length
and its peculiar construction. When in
flight it measures nearly forty feet. The
front is composed of ferocious head,
having wide mouth and protruding
horns. The large eyes are formed of
curved pieces of board, and are made to
revolve. producing loud htimming sound
in flight. Below the dragon head is a
series of pasteboard disks, attached by
a cord to bamboo sticks, a yard in length.
running crosswise. The disks are about
foot in diameter, and are painted in
black, red, yellow and white. The. ex-
IRENE tail portion Is composed of silken
strips or streamers. This remarkable
aerial device is manipulated by cord
from the rear, while some distance below
the kite three additional lines run to equal
distant points to afford better control of
the kite when in action. Seen in the
air. with its pair of glaring and revolving
eyes and serpentine motion, it produces
highly realistic picture of the mighty
flying dragon of the upper world.
Another favorite shape for their kites
is the large dragon fly. This is due to
the deep rooted Buddhist belief of the
5 various animal 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 an
again. During the festival of the Bon.
which is composed of bonfires kindItHl
in front Of the houses to welcome the
return of ghosts, the children are not al
lowed to modest or kill any dragon flies,
particularly those which get into the fam
lily house The warrior kites are made to
attack and fight one another 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
Museum of Arts and Sciences, and re-
Gently curator of the Museum Of Arch
aeology of the University of Pennsylvania,
who is one of the best recognized authori-
ties 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 1876 B. c.. and sent
ii up to measure the distance Of the pal
ace he intended to besiege and enter by
digging a tunnel to terminate about the
center of the structure.