Chinese Sword Types

Martial arts are a rich part of Chinese history. As China faced its enemies in ancient times, warriors developed weapons to aid them in their fights. Among these are swords with different designs and usage. Though swords are rarely used in actual combat today, Chinese swords are still used by martial artists to sharpen their skills and demonstrate their abilities through forms and competition.

  1. Jian

    • The jian, or tai chi sword, is a double-edged straight sword. The blade is usually made of steel and can by anywhere from 17 to 31 inches in length. Weighing in at only 2 lb., Jian are lightweight and easily carried or wielded. Jian were often owned by educated and wealthy individuals who wanted to use the sword in their quest to find the warrior within themselves. In Tai Chi and Wushu, the jian is valued for aesthetic qualities, and artistic forms are performed with the sword in competitions.

    Dao

    • This Chinese saber was a primary weapon of ancient Chinese cavalry and infantry soldiers. The curved blade has a single sharpened edge. The handle of the Dao is also curved, though it slopes in the opposite direction of the blade. A traditional Dao features a blood groove near the top, or unsharpened, edge of the blade. A blood groove is a groove in the sword that provides a channel for blood to flow away from the blade. A Dao is designed to be wielded in one hand. Today, Dao are used in Wushu competitions, often with tassels or scarves attached to the hilt to increase the sword's aesthetic qualities.

    Dadao

    • This Chinese sword can be unwieldy due to its weight. A cousin of the Dao, the Dadao has a much broader blade that can also be shorter than a traditional Dao. With a single sharpened edge, the Dadao is intended to be used as a slashing weapon. Unlike the Dao, a Dadao blade has no blood groove. This weapon has a longer handle to support a two handed grip.

    Hook Swords

    • These distinctive swords are set apart by a blade that curves into a sharpened hook at the tip. The pommel, or end, of a hook sword is also sharpened for stabbing. Even the handle is surrounded by another, moon-shaped blade that both protects the wielder (they can be used for blocking) and provides a third weapon to use against opponents. Hook swords are often carried in pairs. The hooks can be linked to increase the length and range of the weapon and allow it to be used similarly to a whip.