A Sign of Spring

In Korea springtime comes early. One way to tell is by the kites in the air. The company I work for had kite masters come and let the employees build some kites. A few days latter they were flying them in a large festival.

Employees build kites

Kite Master

The festival was held in Seoul on a large island on the Han River. There was a great turn out. Lots of families were in attendance. At first everyone flew their own little kites. Then the kites were taken down (actually a security guard took my kite down because the announcements to take them down were in Korean) and long strings of kites filled the air. It was really something.

A young family gets thier kites started

Time to bring the kites down

The long strings of kites are released

Hundreds of kites

This kite represents General Lee Seonggye

General Lee Seonggye is a very important figure in Korea's History. In 1392 he was sent to China to campaign against the Ming Dynasty, but instead he returned to overthrow the Goryeo king and establish a new dynasty. He named it the Joseon Dynasty. The Joseon Dynasty was the last before the Japanese invasion in 1910. Most or the palaces and public monuments seem to refer to this Dynasty.

A fellow brought his parachute to fly like a kite. It was quite colorful.

It was a fun day, but the wind was cold and I was glad to return to comfort on my hotel room.