why do the french call a kite cerf volant(flying deer)?

Question

i need an answer as soon as poosible

Answer 1

I actually have no idea! And I'm French. So I've checked in an encyclopedia, and it says that it's still open to debate.

One of the possible origins of the word would be "serpe volante", which in Latin means "serpent volant" (flying snake), or "sèrp-volante", which means the same in Occitan. It makes sense because the first kites represented snakes or dragons.

It could also come from "Ercum volanti", "Arcum valante" or "Cercum volante", which in Latin mean "Arc volant" (flying arch). So, what's the link with the deer? Well, the deer was (still is?) wearing a crown (not sure where they saw that)... I'm not sure I really understood what they meant. There was no pictures.

Answer 2

cerf-volant volant = flying kite

www:ets.freetranslation.com/