Weifang is an ancient city with a long history and brilliant culture. There were people living in Weifang in the clan society in the New Stone Age and they had created the ancient Dawenkou Culture and Longshan Culture. The early city state of Weifang was founded some 4,000 years ago. Folk culture and art flourished there throughout the ages into a colorful culture. And Weifang kites are a wonderful work that embodies the folk culture of Weifang.

Historical Origins of Weifang Kites

The art of kite-making dates back to the Spring and Autumn Period (770 B.C.-476 B.C.) and the Warring States Period (475 B.C.-221 B.C.). More than 2,000 years ago, the ancients started to use wood to make "wooden black-eared kites" that could carry a person and fly high into the sky for reconnoitering and other military purposes. According to the Historical Book Han Fei Zi, Volume Wai Chu Shuo. "It takes Mu Zi, an outstanding thinker, three years to make one of such kites, which could fly for only one day." Another historical book Hong Shu says: "Master Carpenter Lu Ban succeeded in producing a wooden black-eared kite that was used to conduct reconnaissance flights over Songcheng City." Both these two ancient kite makers lived in the State of Lu, (today's Qufu in Shandong Province)-the birthplace of Confucius.

With the use of paper and silk, which were invented in the ensuing centuries, kites were produced in increasing numbers with these materials not only for military use but for recreational purpose by the civilian people. Kite-flying became popular in Weifang in the Song Dynasty (960-1127) and more so in the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644).

The kite-making business flourished in the Weifang Area, and colorful kites of very high quality were produced. Two famous ones that carried the fancy names of "Sister Ma Presenting a Longevity Peach" and "Five Happinesses Entering the Home" won the appreciation of members imperial family when they were sent to them as gifts. Weifang's kite-making industry witnessed a big boom in the reigns of Emperor Qian Long (1736-1795) and Emperor Jia Qing (1796-1820) of the Qing Dynasty. And near the city of Weifang, flourished a big kite market where kites of all descriptions were displayed and offered for sale. Those made by Yangjiabu artisans which incorporated beautifully block-printed New Year Pictures were much sought after, and they dominated the market.

Yangjiabu Kites and those produced in the Weifang Area were then sold in large numbers not only in Yantai, Qingdao, Ji'nan and other cities in Shandong Province but also in Jiangsu, Fujian, Anhui, Henan, Hebei and other Chinese provinces. Yangjiabu kite craftsmen adopted New Year Picture (Nian Hua) wood-cut printing techniques in the making of kites. They pasted the printed paper with New Year Pictures on the ready-made kite bamboo-stripe skeleton, thus quickening the speed of kite production and making the kites look unique and beautiful.

Since the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949, kite-making industry has been developing smoothly in Weifang. Especially since the late 1978, the ancient folk art of kite-making has been thriving there vigorously. Between 1984 and 1996, 13 international kite festivals were held in Weifang, and the city was given the title of "World Kite Capital". And the International Kites Federation established in 1989 is headquartered in Weifang to make the city a world famous kite city and a venue for enhancing international culture exchanges.

Artistic Characteristics of Weifang Kites

During centuries of development, Weifang Kites have formed its own clear-cut, artistic characteristics.

The subjects of Weifang Kites are originated from local folk life. Birds, animals, flowers, fishes, insects, folk stories and fairy tales are the main subjects painted on the kites or the shapes of kites are closely related to these subjects. The shape of Weifang kite focuses on spirit rather than on form, so the emphasis is centered on decorative pattern and three dimensions. An artisan, when designing an "Eagle" kite, focuses not only on its flight performances, but also on its three-dimensional effect when it is hung on the wall as a work of art.

The coloration of Weifang Kites has a strong local flavor. There are two types of Coloration, one of which is scholar's painting style wich emphasis on light colors. This type, developed in modern times, has its unique features and a high appreciative value. Such coloration has won good reputation for Weifang Kites in kite-making contests.

The other is the traditional folk painting style emphasizing on bright and dark colors. "Dragon Head Centipede" is a representative of this type. Its coloration has a direct and close connection with folk painting in Weifang. All this gives Weifang Kites a distinctive local style. The traditional folk coloring adopts bright-red and green colors to form a striking contrast. The bright colors have also created a warm and straightforward artistic atmosphere. Such unique coloring make a kite in flight looks graceful and lively.

The Development and Influence of Weifang Kites

The traditional kite-making business in Weifang has been growing by leaps and bounds, thanks to the convening of international kite festivals there over the years. More and better kites are made today, and the number of kite makers, many of whom are outstanding ones, has grown from 500 in the past to tens of thousands today. Big kite factories have been built. So has a kite exhibition hall.

Weifang is making some 10 million kites a year. New kinds of kites like "Dragon & Phoenix Dance", "Carp Leaping Over the Dragon Gate", "Spaceship" and "Helicopter" are produced today. The largest kite here is 500 meters long and the smallest one is not bigger than a match-box. Their graceful shape, exquisite workmanship, vivid designs, bright color and good flight performance have won the appreciation of both Chinese and foreign kite fans.

Yangjiabu Wood-Cut New Year Pictures are also a big attaction to thousands of Chinese and overseas visitors who come to attend Weifang International Kite Festivals.

(Text: china-sd.net; Photo: baidu.com)