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. As a matter of fact, nearly all kite flying festivals all across Asia have "kite fights," which is a venerated and ancient custom where participants try to down their opponents' kites by cutting their lines. This is accomplished by using small, highly maneuverable "fighter kites" that are connected to glass-coated "cutting lines." These specialized "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 essential component of the boys' festival, which is held each May in Japan, and in China, one day each year is celebrated 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 supports 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 require several people to fly them. There are also kite-flying competitions held yearly in the United States and Canada.

Types of Kites

There are numerous assorted forms 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 exclusively by hand. For simple kites the sticks can be of any strong lightwood with a straight grain. The covering material can be ordinary brown wrapping paper, or a lightweight cloth, such as silk or nylon. Plastic sheeting of various 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 made.

The box kite consists basically of two rectangular boxes, open on two equivalent sides apiece and linked by a general 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 have need of a tail.

How to Fly Kites

Kites fly, like airplanes, on the aerodynamic principle of wind pressure against a heavier-than-air object. The motor and propeller of the airplane create a wind pressure as they move the plane through the air. When the pressure is strong enough to conquer gravity, the plane is pushed up and allowed to remain aloft. The similar consequence 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.