There's an old saying, "If March comes in like a lion, it will go out like a lamb." And of course the reverse is also true. March weather is very unpredictable; the season are influx which often means lots of windy weather. As a young froglet, I loved to fly kites. Every march, I would beg my parents to buy me a kite and then we'd spend every weekend in March seeing how high we could make it fly. The family tradition continues with little brother Quigley. This year, I helped him build a kite and this weekend the whole family will be there for it's maiden flight. I can't wait! But how did kites come to be? I often wonder these things. I spent a little time researching kites and found a few fascinating fun facts I'd like to share with you.
1. Kites originated in China. Silk was the primary fabric used. Silk is durable, yet lightweight. The frames were made from bamboo which is light and resilient. The kite has been claimed as the 5th century BC invention of philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. By 549 AD, paper kites were regularly flown and one was even used as a message in a rescue mission.
2. The smallest kite in the world that actually flies measures 5 mm tall. The largest kite in the world is called the Megabite, which measures 55 x 22 meters. The longest kite in the world measures 1034 meters which is 3394 feet!
3. The fastest recorded speed is over 120 mph (193 km/h). The record for the longest kite fly is 180 hours. The highest that a kite has flown is 3801 meters or 12,471 feet!
4. The largest number of kites flown on a single line is 11,284. The record is held by a Japanese kite maker. Kite-flying was banned in Japan in 1760 because too many people wanted to fly kites than go too work. I can't blame them for that. And in Japan, some kites weigh over 2 tons!
5. Kite-flying was banned in China during the Cultural Revolution. Anyone found flying a kite had their kite destroyed and was sentenced up to three years in jail. The Chinese name for kite is Fen Zheng, which means wind harp. The Chinese believe that looking at kites high in the sky maintains good eyesight.
6. There are 78 rules for kite fighting in Thailand.
7. For centuries, kites have been used in war and in battles for signaling, lifting observers, target practice, as barrage kites, and for dropping letters and newspapers.
8. It is now thought that some of the first kites date back 3000 years and were made of leaves. Since then, they have been constructed out of all kinds of materials. Around 12 humans are killed annually in kite-flying accidents around the world.
9. The airplane is a development of the kite.
10. Kite-flying is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. In the US alone, nearly 50 million kites are sold each year. And while having a little breeze can be helpful when flying a kite, it isn't necessary. And that means you can enjoy flying your kite nearly every day of the year.
I always look forward to spending time with my family and when we can share a fun activity like flying a kite, well, it makes it even more enjoyable. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, I hope it'll include a little time spent outside enjoying the longer days and warmer spring temperatures. I invite you all back here on Monday. Until then, stay safe and I wish you
Peace.
1. Kites originated in China. Silk was the primary fabric used. Silk is durable, yet lightweight. The frames were made from bamboo which is light and resilient. The kite has been claimed as the 5th century BC invention of philosophers Mozi and Lu Ban. By 549 AD, paper kites were regularly flown and one was even used as a message in a rescue mission.
2. The smallest kite in the world that actually flies measures 5 mm tall. The largest kite in the world is called the Megabite, which measures 55 x 22 meters. The longest kite in the world measures 1034 meters which is 3394 feet!
3. The fastest recorded speed is over 120 mph (193 km/h). The record for the longest kite fly is 180 hours. The highest that a kite has flown is 3801 meters or 12,471 feet!
4. The largest number of kites flown on a single line is 11,284. The record is held by a Japanese kite maker. Kite-flying was banned in Japan in 1760 because too many people wanted to fly kites than go too work. I can't blame them for that. And in Japan, some kites weigh over 2 tons!
5. Kite-flying was banned in China during the Cultural Revolution. Anyone found flying a kite had their kite destroyed and was sentenced up to three years in jail. The Chinese name for kite is Fen Zheng, which means wind harp. The Chinese believe that looking at kites high in the sky maintains good eyesight.
6. There are 78 rules for kite fighting in Thailand.
7. For centuries, kites have been used in war and in battles for signaling, lifting observers, target practice, as barrage kites, and for dropping letters and newspapers.
8. It is now thought that some of the first kites date back 3000 years and were made of leaves. Since then, they have been constructed out of all kinds of materials. Around 12 humans are killed annually in kite-flying accidents around the world.
9. The airplane is a development of the kite.
10. Kite-flying is one of the fastest growing sports in the world. In the US alone, nearly 50 million kites are sold each year. And while having a little breeze can be helpful when flying a kite, it isn't necessary. And that means you can enjoy flying your kite nearly every day of the year.
I always look forward to spending time with my family and when we can share a fun activity like flying a kite, well, it makes it even more enjoyable. Whatever you decide to do this weekend, I hope it'll include a little time spent outside enjoying the longer days and warmer spring temperatures. I invite you all back here on Monday. Until then, stay safe and I wish you
Peace.
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