Ancient Chinese Weapons

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Shi Ba Ban Wu Yi

In ancient China, a phrase "Shi Ba Ban Wu Yi" was used to refer to every kind of martial weapons and fighting skills. Shi Ba means 18, Wu Yi means martial arts. The literary meaning of "Shi Ba Ban Wu Yi" is "expertise of using 18 kinds of weapons".

The 18 kinds of weapons mentioned above are below (picture credit: anum33):

The First Line: Dao (Sabre), Qiang (Lance/Pike), Jian (Sword), Ji, Fu (Axe), Bang (stick)
The Second Line: Yue, Gou, Cha (Fork), Bian (Whip), Jian, Zhua
The Third Line: Chui (Hammer), Guai, Tang
The Fourth Line: Chui (Hammer), Guai, Tang, Liu Xiang (Metere)

Here are more sample weapons.

Dao:

The sabre or Dao in Manderin was a single-edged slashing weapon. It is constituted by a blade and a shaft. The blades were normally thin but their ridges were thick, and the shafts were long. This was to ensure the function of cutting and chopping. See samples below:

From Left to right: Qu Sabre, Diao Sabre, Hand Sabre, Pen-Sabre, Phoenix-Beak Sabre, eye-brown Sabre

Dao in the Chinese Illustration book: San Guo Yan Yi, or the Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Qiang (Lance/Pike/Spear)

It was called "King of Weapons" in ancient China.

Qiang in the Chinese Illustration book: San Guo Yan Yi, or the Romance of the Three Kingdoms

Ancient Swords

More are coming.

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