The Kite
cctv.com 10-15-2005 14:47
Rather than talking about the unpleasant business of having lost something, let鈥檚 focus on kites, which were invented in China. Even the National Aeronautics and Space Museum in Washington DC claims that the 鈥渆arliest aircraft and were the kites of China鈥.
Chinese kites date back over two thousand years ago. Before the invention of paper, they were originally made with wood and bamboo. Some early kites were used for military purposes and were large enough to carry a man aloft so that he could observe enemy positions. Others were used to send messages.
The Chinese word for kite is 椋庣瓭. 绛 is a traditional Chinese musical instrument. In the Tang Dynasty from the 7th to 10th century AD, people would tie small strips of bamboo that would vibrate and hum in the breeze, sounding something like a 绛.
Today there are over 300 varieties of kites in China. Probably the best place to see them is during the national kite festival held every year in Weifang, Shandong Province.
Editor:Liu Fengming Source:CCTV.com
