Back to the Beginnings: Where Do Windsocks Originate From?

Not many people know this, but windsocks were first used by the Japanese. What’s especially interesting is that their usage was closely associated with tradition, unlike the modern windsocks one can often spot in an industrial environment. Let’s look behind the curtain and explore their history!

Their origins are closely tied with tradition

Specifically, it was the “Boys Day” that saw the hanging of windsocks on bamboo poles to celebrate the male offspring – one for the father and additional ones for the sons. The father got a black color while the eldest son was represented by red.

The first examples were made out of paper or silk

Unlike the airport windsock of the modern ages, the first windsocks to have come about were made out of paper or silk. They were designed to resemble the shape of an animal – a fish, to be precise (they referred to them a “koi noburi”). Upon closer inspection, one could see the family crest being embossed into them. However, only the affluent families were able to afford the silk ones.

Windsocks were used in the military as well

Dating back to the times of the Roman empire, the history notes that a wind sock was utilized for military purposes. Specifically, these were used for the representation of different military groups.

They had their place in the nautics

The ships needed to get the air down to the lower compartments, and that’s where the windsocks came into play. They were shaped like a tube.

Fast forward to the times of today...

Nowadays, windsocks are mostly used for industrial purposes; however, using them for celebrations of various kinds is not unheard of. Most commonly, an airport windsock is used to help the pilots determine the direction of the wind and its speed. Drive on a windy highway, and you may notice one right next to the road.

The modern windsocks for sale have found their place in a purely industrial setting as well. In such environments, there is always the threat of gaseous leakage, which needs to be spotted and tended to immediately – this is where windsocks have proven to be of great aid. Moreover, they help determine the scope of the area that needs to be evacuated since they also indicate how far the contaminants have managed to progress.

Finally, modern windsocks are appreciated for their ornamental traits. The children love them, and they go hand in hand with tradition, family values, and belonging. There are many windsocks for sale, but you can also make your own if you so choose. Although an ornamental windsock has the capacity to determine the direction and the speed of the wind, that is not its intended purpose and an aviation sock should be used instead.

If you were to try, using one is not that demanding. If the windsock is pointing north, for example, it means the wind is blowing from the south (the opposite direction). If the airport windsock is fully inflated, it means the wind is blowing at a speed of 17 mph or more (15 knots).