During a rescue excavation in China's Henan Province, researchers found the remarkably preserved remains of silk-lined bamboo kite frames within a Tang Dynasty tomb. These kites are believed to have been used during the Festival of the High Winds, a precursor to the modern Qingming traditions. The kites were flown to carry messages to the ancestors and were often cut loose to symbolize the release of bad luck and the arrival of seasonal prosperity.
The intricate vermilion and gold-leaf patterns remaining on the silk fragments depict mythical birds and celestial guardians. This find proves that the 'ritual of the rising spirit' was a sophisticated state-sponsored event that combined artistic craftsmanship with the spiritual necessity of honoring the deceased through aerial displays.