The first kites, made around 722 BC-481 BC, were probably used for military reasons. Though we will never know who drew the pictures of the first kite, we do know that the first person to build kite was a Chinese military officer named Han Hsin. During a battle, Han Hsin flew a kite and used the Length of the string to determine the distance from the enemy's city. Knowing the distance, he then had his army dig a tunnel under the wall of the city to attack it. Later, Chinese generals used the kite to signal each other during battles, or they would fly a kite with noise makers to distract the enemy,

    Later on, around the Tang dynasty (618-907), kite flying became more of a recreational activity. There were different kite festivals throughout the year. The kites, made out of bamboo sticks and paper were beautifully painted to look like animals, flowers, and people. They were always flown during October through March or April because these were the months the wind for kite flying was the best. In northern China, during the month of the Chinese New Year, a gathering called the Lantern Festival takes place Rich and poor people alike fly kites to send the God of Wealth who comes down on New Year's eve, back to heaven.

    Over the years, in China; a lot of superstitions related to kites have grown popular one belief is that it brings bad luck, if by accident, a kite drifts into someone's home. !f a kite flies into a neighbor's yard, the owner would ask for it back. Before giving the kite back to the owner, the neighbor would punch two holes into the kite so it wouldn't bring bad luck. During the Qing dynasty there was an autumn kite festival where the people flew their kites from high heights because they thought it would bring good luck.

    When you yet up on a windy day and decide to go fly a kite, remember how they were first used and the beauty and grace of this simple invention.