Kites

Chinese Kites

Dragon kite - transp

Kites originate from the Spring-Autum period of Chinese history more than 2000 years ago. According to legend, Mozi (墨子 Mòzi) spent three years making the first kite in history out of wood (木鸢 mù yuān). By the time of the Northern and Southern Dynasties (420-589 AD) the kite had become an implement for transmitting information. Beginning from the time of the Sui and Tang Dynasties (581-907 AD), because paper manufacturing was highly developed, kites began to be made by common folk using paper. By the time of the Song Dynasty (960-1279), flying kites had become a favorite outdoor activity amongst the common people. In a poem called ‘Ancient tales of the marital world’, the Song Dynasty poet Zhou Mi wrote: “During Qingming Festival time, everyone goes to the countryside to fly kites, only returning home at dusk”. 鸢 (yuān) means ‘kite’. Vivid scenes of kite flying can be seen in the Northern Song (960-1127) artist Zhang Zeduan’s ‘Along the River During Qingming’** and the Song Dynasty’s Su Hanchen’s “Bai Zi Tu”.

Nowadays kites play an important role in intercultural exchange, in strengthening the friendship between the Chinese people and peoples from around the world and in developing the economy and the toursim industry.

Reference:
http://baike.baidu.com/view/3357.htm

Translation: Kaylee West
** See this famous painting on exhibition in the traditional courtyard house on Chinese Island.

 

风筝

风筝源于春秋时代,至今已2000余年。相传“墨子为木鸢,三年而成,飞一日而败。”到南北朝,风筝开始成为传递信息的工具。从隋唐开始,由于造纸业的发达,民间开始用纸来裱糊风筝。到了宋代,放风筝成为人们喜爱的户外活动。宋人周密的《武林旧事》写道:“清明时节,人们到郊外放风鸢,日暮方归。”“鸢”就指风筝。北宋张择端的《清明上河图》,宋苏汉臣的《百子图》里都有放风筝的生动景象。

当今,我国放风筝活动,在对外文化交流,加强与世界各国人民友谊,发展经济和旅游事业中发挥着重要作用。

摘自:

http://baike.baidu.com/view/3357.htm

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