Types of Kites to See

The options for shapes and sizes when it comes to kites are virtually limitless. They range from massive flying creatures to tiny marvels, encompassing various styles such as high-speed stunt kite formation flying and graceful indoor flying without the need for wind. No matter your preferences, there’s a kite style that suits you.

Single-line kites serve as magnificent canvases for artistic expressions, whether they are stable or dynamic. Held aloft by a solitary tethered string, these kites are perfect for painting the sky with vibrant displays, engaging in competitive kite fighting, or simply enjoying a relaxing pastime.

Flat kites — are flat when laid on the ground when ready for flight

Bowed kites — are bowed by use of a fixed or variable dihedral or bowed spar, so they are not flat when laid on the ground; the lifting surface is a single plane

Cellular or dimensional kites — have spars that provide a rigid 3-dimensional structure

Delta and delta derivatives kites often have triangular (delta) shapes. They have spars on the leading edges of their wings; these spars can pivot on the spreader bar.

These three-dimensional kites depend on the force of the wind on the kite, not on a rigid frame, to give the kite its shape.

Fighter kites are single-line maneuverable kites. Used for the sport of kite fighting, most fighter kites are small, unstable single line flat kites where line tension alone is used for control, traditionally an abrasive line (like Manja) is used to cut down other kites, but due to the dangers of cutting line, many countries have banned Manja line. They are using “line touch” rules for combat instead.

Kite fighting is a major sport in many countries but is particularly associated with Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, India, Nepal, Vietnam, Korea, and the slums of Brazil. Most cultural fighter kites are made with paper and wood, but modern materials like Orcon and carbon fiber have become very popular.

Rokkaku is a Japanese word that means that this kite has six corners. The sizes of the kites vary, and they usually have a four-legged bridle. Rokkaku kites are bowed using two tension lines and are popular because they fly well without tails and provide a nice shape to carry artwork.

Rokkaku battles are a 400-year-old competition that originated in Japan and is very popular at kite festivals. In this event, combatants use six-sided kites that are up to eight feet tall. A dozen kites or more are launched simultaneously, and the kite or the kite line is used to cut opponents’ lines or force them to the ground. It’s fun, challenging, and a great spectator sport.

The shapes of these kites represent persons, animals, or other objects. Examples of such representations include kites depicting birds, fish, serpents, and people.

The figure represented by the kite should be discernible to knowledgeable observers. Kites whose surfaces are decorated with pictures or representations of persons, animals, or other objects are not considered figure kites. Flat, bowed, and soft kites are common figure kites.

Trains and centipedes are multiple kites of any shape or structure that are connected by lines to each other.

For this competition, at least five kites or segments of the train are required as the minimum number of kites attached to each other to qualify as a train. Centipedes usually have three or four connecting lines and trains usually have one or two. This is not always the case and is not the determining factor.

Arch trains consist of multiple kites linked end to end with a common line and tethered (or held in place) at both ends of the train.

Arch ribbons are formed from a continuous piece of fabric that is tethered to the ground (or held in place) at both ends of the ribbon.

The shapes of these kites represent persons, animals, or other objects. Examples of such representations include kites depicting birds, fish, serpents, and people.

The figure represented by the kite should be discernible to knowledgeable observers. Kites whose surfaces are decorated with pictures or representations of persons, animals, or other objects are not considered figure kites. Flat, bowed, and soft kites are common figure kites.

Multi-line sport kites offer exceptional control during flight, capable of executing flips, stalls, and swift maneuvers through the air. They are often flown in synchronized team formations or choreographed ballet performances set to music.

Generally designed to maximize power and pull on land, water, ice and snow, various types of power kites are commonly used as “engines” to pull land boards (mountain boards), kite surf boards, skis, snowboards or specially designed 3-wheeled buggies… While basic training and good equipment selection will allow you to direct and use such energy, power kites do have the potential to generate enormous amounts of pull and should be handled with extreme safety.