Why are kites in Weifang the most famous?

Weifang, Shandong Province is a famous kite producing area in China. In the Ming dynasty, there appeared artists who could tie kites. In the Qing Dynasty, with the popularity of kite-flying custom, the art of kite-flying reached its peak. During the Daoguang period, Guo's Zhuzhi Ci in Qingming described: "On the 104th day of cold food, white waves were flying and kites were swinging, which was even more chaotic than the first time." There is a poem: "Paper flowers fly like snow all over the sky, charming girls swing around, colorful skirts swing with the wind, and butterflies compete for spring."

"Wei County Records" also recorded: "Qingming, children do paper spoons and swings in different ways. Besides cranes, swallows, butterflies and cicadas, he also made various figures, all of which were lifelike and ingenious. At the end of the Qing Dynasty, Weifang had formed a fixed kite market. Businessmen from all over the country came to Weifang to buy kites, and once renovated the design to attract customers. Butterflies and kites were made in a row. A large number of highly skilled kite artists have emerged.

Weifang kites have three basic shapes: rope shape, hard wing shape and simple shape, among which centipede shape is the most prominent. It is said that it was inspired by the keel waterwheel. Now it has developed into many varieties, from small ones that can be put in the palm of your hand to large ones hundreds of meters long, with different shapes and colors, from simple centipede kites with white paper paste and red paper paste to colorful nine-headed dragon kites. From two wonderfully conceived pearl dragons to the "Y" and zigzag flight of three dragons in the air, it is really ever-changing and "full of ingenuity".

Weifang's longstring kites have different themes besides centipedes. For example, "Liangshan 100 Single Eight Commanders" is to put Liangshan's 108 heroes in the sky and form a team, each holding a weapon and flying in the wind. At this time, you may vaguely feel that there is a drum beating in the array, as if they are about to set off to lay the foundation of DaSong. ...

1984 In April, a huge centipede with a dragon head was erected on the Beihai beach in Weifang. Its head is 4m high, its length is 4m, its waist diameter is 1.2m, and its length is 320m, which is the largest in China at that time. Now Weifang has become a fixed venue for the International Kite Festival. On the basis of inheriting the essence of tradition, modern kites have been constantly renovated and won the reputation of "kite art, Weifang first".