Download Chinese Weaponry The Chinese created many different weapons

Chinese Weaponry
The Chinese created many different weapons. The ancient Chinese people were very
powerful for many centuries. They were fierce and were feared by many of the Southeast Asia
civilizations. China developed many martial arts and also many battle techniques. The
weapons used by the ancient Chinese people were masterpieces that evolved over time in the
history of china. Most of the weapons are put in groups. There is long weapons, knifes,
fencing weapons, swards, guns, shields and clubs. The army mostly used four different classes
of weapons; the Gun, Dao, Qiang and Jian. (1)
First out of the different classis is the gun. It was actually one of the most basic of all
the weapons used bye the ancient Chinese people. It was made from bamboo and the Chinese
would use the gun along with martial arts. It was a very popular weapon for self defense and
when used with also the aid of martial arts it proved to be fatal. The army however did use the
gun but bladed weapons were used a lot more in the battle field. The gun was mostly used to
train new recruits for the army. (1) Later on the Chinese adapted to a “true” gun more
resembling the ones you see now with a metal barrel and gunpowder by the 12th century. The
first gun is believed to be found around the 1970s and was dated all the way back near 1290 A.D.
(2)
The next weapon is the Dao. It was one of the most frequently used weapons in ancient
china. A Dao is a term meaning a kind of long weapon, so there are a lot of different weapons
under this group. A common Dao was a short spear that was used in hand to hand combat but
most of the Dao were long weapons had blades on them and sometimes looked like long swords.
The blades were attached right to the handle. In any hand to hand combat the Chinese army
would use the Dao. These weapons started in the Bronze age and evolved though-out time.
During the Zhou dynasty the Jian replaced the Dao during war, but during the Quin dynasty they
realized the importance of the Calvary and went back to using the Dao. (1)
The Qiang, is the third class of weapons. It is a type of spear and also played an
important role in the Chinese army. It had a long staff with a steel, iron, or bronze mounted tip.
These spears are believed to evolved from the ancient spear called “Mao”. Over the years the
tip went from bronze to steel according to the needs of the weapon. During warfare the Qiang
weapons were used in long distance by throwing the spears towards their enemy. Surprisingly
this tactic was even used after firearms were present. (1) The Qiang was one of the longest
weapons used in ancient china and is known as the “king of the hundred weapons.” (3)
Last is the Jian group. It is said to be the “king of weapons” in ancient China. It is also
called the “sovereign of blades.” The Jian is said to be one of the greatest works of the Chinese
for it craftsmanship. During 256 BC some of the greatest Jians were created for the army.(1)
the Jian was used the most during the Zhou dynasty and through records we know that they were
made because of the requests of emperors and dukes to make them. (3)
In ancient china these were all the most commonly used groups of weapons for warfare.
Now though none are used but some are still used for ceremonial purposes. Even though there
are not many still in existence the Chinese use them for martial arts and can re-create the
techniques that was used so long ago. (1)
Works Cited
1. "Weapons of Ancient China - Ancient History - Chinese History - History of China - China
Culture." History - China Culture. Web. 08 Dec. 2010.
<http://history.cultural-china.com/en/179History5440.html>.
2. "Gun and Gunpower." Web. 08 Dec. 2010. <http://www.silk-road.com/artl/gun.shtml>.
3. Beale, By Mark. "Weapons of Ancient China." Dana - NAU Student Web Server. Web. 08
Dec. 2010. <http://dana.ucc.nau.edu/~msb46/Weapons_of_Ancient_China.html>.