Kite Traditions

Korea: In Korea, it is a tradition to write the names and birth dates of male children on kites and then to fly them. The line is then cut to ensure a good year by taking all the bad spirits with it. In Korea people fly kites during the first days of the New Year.

Thailand: In Thailand, each monarch had his or her own kite which was flown continuously during the winter months by imperial monks and priests. The farmers flew kites during the rainy season to send their prayers to the gods.

Japan: In Japan, windsocks are used in the shape of a carp, a symbol of strength of will and fortitude. These windsocks are flown on May 5th, Children’s Day, as an inspiration to the children.

China: In China the ninth day of the ninth month--Kites' Day, or the Festival for Climbing Heights--is a holiday honouring kites. In addition, kite-fliers will often play a game called "Kite Biting" in which participants try to "bite" down the other kites by snapping their strings. The winner of the competition is the one with the last kite still in the air. 

Bermuda: In Bermuda, Good Friday is also known as Kite Day. Kite flying on this day is one of the great traditions of Bermuda and has been celebrated in this unusual way for more than a century.  Many stories relating to kite-flying on Good Friday have religious significance. One story tells how a Sunday school teacher, trying to explain the ascension of Christ to her students, illustrated the story by flying a kite on Easter Sunday. When the kite went soaring into the heavens she cut the string, and the kite rose higher until it disappeared into the blue. 

Greece: In Greece, Clean Monday (also called Shrove or Ash Monday) is the first day of Lent. The pastime of the day includes flying special hexagonal kites decorated with geometric designs.  Paper kites are flown, to mark the beginning of the Lent Season.  The kite is a symbol of the soul, purified by fasting, and mounting to the heavens.

Check that you understand what these words mean in this document

To ensure: to make (something) certain to happen.

Imperial: having to do with an empire or its ruler.

Windsock: a tube-like piece of material, fastened to a pole to show wind direction.

Carp: a large freshwater fish.

Inspiration: (something or someone which causes) an urge to produce good and beautiful things.

To snap: to cause to break off suddenly or in two pieces.

Significance: importance.

To soar: to go high up.

Lent Season: the 50 or so days before Easter.

For further information visit:
Kite History
Kites in Chinese Festivals