Ancient Chinese Kites

Did you know that the first kites were invented in China? It's hard to tell exactly who did it, but two big names are Mozi and Lu Ban. At first kites were used for military purposes to deliver messages and measure distances for attack strategies. They were also used by sailors sometimes in a superstitious routine to see if it was a good time for a voyage. By the prosperous Tang dynasty, however, kites were for entertainment, sentimental, and religious use instead of their original dark intent. Today kites are still a form of Chinese culture and art. There is even an annual festival dedicated to kites in the Chinese city of Weifang.

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