The Bronze Age was when humans first created weapons with specific purposes. Since then, people have improved weapons to increase the user’s capacity for killing while reducing the target’s capacity for revenge.
China has historically been a leader in the creation of several weapons. Many of the classic weapons are still used in the numerous Chinese martial arts schools.
Let’s examine 10 of the best Chinese weapons. Scroll down for more information!
1. Chain Whip
Chinese martial arts employ the chain whip, sometimes called the soft whip. It’s made up of several metal rods connected end to end by rings to create a flexible chain.
Frequently, they fasten a fabric flag to the whip’s dart end or close by while a second flag covers the handle. The addition of the flags enhances the aesthetic attractiveness and causes the lash to fly in the air noisily.
Because the weapon moves too quickly for human vision to detect ordinarily, the rushing sound also aids the user in locating the opposite end.
2. Chinese Archery
According to historical documents and archaeological findings, numerous ancient bow types may have existed in the region of modern-day China. Although they also used wood composites, horn bows were the most common type of Chinese bow.
Chinese bows made now feature forms that were derived from ancient patterns. However, contemporary manufacturers and craftspeople have also utilized cutting-edge materials like fiberglass, carbon fiber, and fiber-reinforced plastic in addition to conventional manufacturing techniques.
3. Repeating Crossbow
The relatively feeble Chinese crossbow described here featured a tiny, light arrow with minimal penetrative strength. Because of this, the arrow’s head occasionally included poison such that even a small wound may be lethal.
The repeating motion of this crossbow is, however, what makes it intriguing and distinctive. It works flawlessly and allows the crossbowman to shoot ten arrows in under fifteen seconds.
Defending fortified positions or preventing an enemy charge in the open was incredibly effective.
4. Tai Chi Sword
The kind of Jian worn by government officials during the Han period revealed their rank. The Taiji Jian is more advanced than the conventional Chinese Jian.
Chinese swords are now available in various materials, including high-carbon and Damascus steel. The spring steel blade of a training sword must be adaptable enough to bend 30 degrees.
Swords that are not tempered may also be less expensive, but they are merely practice swords. A stainless steel blade is also not made for sparring but just for adornment.
5. Fire Arrow
One of the earliest applications of weaponized gunpowder was fire arrows, dating to the ninth century. The Southern Wu employed fire arrows in 904 when sieging Yuzhang.
Initially, it was an arrow with a gunpowder bag attached. Chinese people fired this fire arrow using a bow or crossbow as a torch.
6. Wodao
Swords used by Japanese wokou pirates served as the inspiration for the Chinese wodao’s design. The ‘wodao’ means “Japanese sword” in English.
Wodao blades were first used during the Ming dynasty and continued to be used under the Qing dynasty. It often has a substantial weight, a long, curved back, and a keen blade.
The sword’s blade was typically 80 cm long. It’s similar to the Chinese Zhanmadao and the Japanese Tachi in design.
7. Wind and Fire Wheels
Wind-and-fire wheels are melee weapons in Chinese martial arts like Baguazhang and Taijiquan. They resemble chakrams in appearance. However, they don’t have to throw weapons as chakrams do.
Each metal wheel is a flat ring with a circumference of around 15 inches. The three-quarter segments have blades that stick out like flames, while the other one-quarter-segment has a cross-guard and a cushioned grip.
The practitioner can cut, parry, stab, or disarm an opponent while holding one wheel in each hand. These served as a magical conveyance in the mythical tale of Fengshen Yanyi.
8. Langxian
Lang Xian is a very long bamboo shaft with a sharpened iron spike fixed on it that has nine to thirteen layers of connected leaves and branches. The branches are occasionally fastened with hooks and blades and are fire-hardened.
The Lang Xian is a bulky, difficult-to-use weapon that does relatively minor damage. However, you might apply poison to the blades.
A Lang Xian efficiently eliminates all of the adversary’s choices because it offers decent defense against the majority of ranged weapons and keeps the enemy at a distance. Because of this, even a poorly trained force may compete with a more skilled foe.
9. Sai
Metal daggers, like the one used by Sai, are typically used in two, one in each hand. It is a trident dagger resembling a small sword but is often blunt.
Its ideal length often varies depending on how long the user’s forearm is. Most frequently, its size runs from 37 to 50 cm, weighing between 1.5 and 2 kg.
The dagger’s handle has two shorter tines on each side that are twisted upward and are used to block, catch, and destroy the attacker’s weapon.
10. Meteor Hammer
One of the flexible weapons used in ancient Chinese warfare was the meteor hammer. It operates as a flail swung in circles during battle, either quickly or slowly.
The double-headed meteor hammer’s length is usually between two and three meters, and each end has a spherical head. Although the tips of the meteor hammer can weigh more than the head of a rope dart, this difference in weight is typically not significant.
Certain meteor hammer variations feature significantly lighter heads than typical rope dart heads. Since they are quicker and less harmful, the lighter variations of this weapon are frequently employed for training and in contemporary wushu performances.
FAQs
What was the best ancient Chinese weapon?
In ancient China, the Jian was the most potent weapon. A substantial portion of ancient Chinese history included the employment of this sword.
These ancient Chinese swords also had breathtakingly gorgeous blades. The infantry and the cavalry were two of the various uses of the Jian.
What was China’s first weapon?
The fire lance was the first firearm in China. Sometimes shrapnel was inserted in the barrel so that it would fly out with the flames.
What is the most famous Chinese sword?
The Longquan Sword is, without a doubt, the most well-known sword in China. It was the first iron sword, made by master blacksmith Ou Yezi some 2,600 years ago, according to historical documents.
What are the three ancient weapons?
There are three weapons of mass devastation known as Ancient Weapons. Each has a divine power-related name, such as Uranus, Pluton, and Poseidon.
What is a Chinese dagger called?
The Erlitou civilization used pole weapons up to the Han era in China. It comprises a wooden shaft perpendicular to a dagger-shaped blade attached by its tang.
What is the most famous Chinese weapon?
One of the most well-known weapons in China is the tai chi sword, sometimes referred to as the “Taiji Jian.” People seldom used them in combat and entirely utilized them for Chinese martial arts.
Final Thoughts
There are hundreds of different types of weapons in the Chinese military, many of which, such as these 10 weapons, do not have equivalents in other parts of the world. Commoners and warriors typically use more conventional weapons like sabers, arrows, and staffs.
Metalworking was a renowned specialty of ancient Chinese technology, and these weapons were quite advanced. However, some guns, like the priceless sword, were more highly regarded as emblems of nobility and virtue than as instruments of battle.