Have you ever wondered what kinds of weapons were used in ancient China?
Well, ancient chinese weapons were made and changed over thousands of years. People used new materials like bronze, iron, and gunpowder to make better tools for fighting.
However, the leaders and the land where battles occurred also influenced how these weapons were made.
So, in this blog, you will learn about the history and types of ancient Chinese weapons that helped shape China.
Historical Context of Ancient Chinese Weapons
Chinese weapons began as simple stone and bone tools around 10,000 BCE. When bronze was introduced during the Shang dynasty (1600-1046 BCE), weapons became significantly improved.
However, iron tools appeared later, causing a complete change in fighting methods. By the Han period, complex bow machines and early chemical weapons were common.
New weapon ideas often came during times of war, with each ruling family adding their own touches to China’s fighting tools.
So, let’s look at the weapons that helped make Chinese history.
Short Ancient China Weapons
Short weapons were used for close fighting and quick attacks. They were easy to take along with, fast to use, and often hidden for surprise strikes.
Let’s check out some of the short weapons that are best to use.
1. Jian (Straight Sword)
Feature: Elegant, two-edged sword requiring skill and precision.
- Used mainly by nobles and scholars
- Light and well-balanced for cutting and stabbing
- Symbol of education and status
- Requires more skill than strength to use
2. Dao (Saber/Broadsword)
Feature: Practical, single-edged curved sword favored by soldiers for quick, effective cuts.
- Single-edged with a slight curve
- Wider tip for stronger cuts
- Easier to learn than the jian
- Popular in large armies during battles
3. Dagger
Feature: Small, hidden weapon ideal for quick, close fighting and surprise attacks.
- Short blade, easily carried, and hide
- Used by guards for protection
- Sometimes coated with poison
- Trusted for quick, unexpected fights
4. Hammer (Chui)
Feature: Heavy weapon effective against armor, relying on force and strength.
- Metal head on wooden handle
- Can have spikes for extra damage
- Used to break through armor
- Requires strength and skill to use
5. Iron Whip (Tie Bian)
Feature: Flexible metal rod offering unpredictable strikes from close range.
- Made of segmented metal parts
- Flexible and hard to block
- Can attack from strange angles
- Needs skillful handling in battle
6. Iron Ruler (Tie Chi)
Feature: A Simple metal stick used by guards mainly for crowd control.
- Flat, straight metal rod
- Sometimes marked with measurements
- Less harmful than other weapons
- Easy to produce in large numbers
Long Ancient China Weapons (Polearms)
Long weapons, also called polearms, were used to keep enemies at a distance. With sharp blades or points on long wooden poles, they were perfect for battle lines and fighting horse riders.
7. Spear (Mao/Qiang)
Feature: Long stabbing weapon used widely for its reach and simplicity.
- Sharp metal tip on a long wood shaft
- Used in lines against horsemen
- Many spearhead shapes for different uses
- Easy to mass-produce
8. Snake Spear
Feature: Spear with flexible tip that moves unpredictably to confuse opponents.
- Bendable section under the tip
- Moves in strange ways
- Can wrap around shields
- Requires extensive training
9. Halberd (Ji)
Feature: Multi-purpose weapon combining spear, axe, and hook functions.
- Spear point, axe blade, and hook on one head
- Can stab, cut, and pull riders off horses
- Carried by higher-ranking guards
- Shows advanced metalwork skills
10. Dagger-Axe (Ge)
Feature: Ancient pole weapon with a sideways blade used to unseat horsemen.
- Side blade attached to a long pole
- One of the oldest weapons in China
- Used during the Shang period
- Bronze versions found in tombs
11. Pike/Lance (Shuo)
Feature: An extra-long spear effective against horsemen and charging cavalry.
- Much longer than normal spears
- Keeps riders and weapons at a distance
- Used in large groups for defense
- Simple and quick to produce
12. Staff/Cudgel (Gun)
Feature: Plain wooden pole used for defense and non-lethal fighting.
- Basic wooden stick
- Used by monks and villagers
- Non-lethal weapons are allowed in peaceful times
- Special martial arts training exists for it
13. Battle Spade (Yue)
Feature: Weapon comes from farming tools, used for knocking down enemies without killing.
- Wide, flat blade on a long handle
- Popular among monks
- Could pull enemy weapons away with hooks
- Useful both in war and peace
14. Fork/Trident (Cha)
Feature: Multi-pointed weapon to trap and control enemy weapons.
- Three or more sharp points
- Used to catch and twist enemy weapons
- Popular with sea guards and coastal fighters
- Could grab armor or clothing
15. Plow (Pa)
Feature: Farm tool converted to a weapon for cutting and hooking.
- A curved blade is good for both attack and defense
- Easy for peasants to use
- Popular with peasant armies
- Provided various ways to fight
Flexible/Soft Ancient China Weapons
Flexible or soft weapons were made of linked parts, such as chains or ropes. They were hard to block and could strike from many angles.
These weapons needed skill to use, but were great for attacks and wrapping around enemy weapons.
16. Chain Whip (Bian)
Feature: Linked metal rods that confuse and strike from many angles.
- Made of connected metal rods
- Has a handle and a heavy end
- Can wrap around enemy weapons
- Requires skill to control
17. Meteor Hammer (Liu Xing Chui)
Feature: Two heavy balls on a rope swung to hit wide areas with power.
- Two heavy balls tied by rope or chain
- Spins fast to strike
- Can hit from odd angles
- Some heads were filled with explosive powder
18. Rope Dart
Feature: A sharp dart on a rope for quick throwing and pulling back.
- Sharp metal point attached to a long rope
- Can be thrown and reeled back
- Great for surprise long-range attacks
- Requires skillful spinning and wrapping
19. Nine-Section Whip
Feature: Chain of nine rods that can hit hard or wrap around objects.
- Nine connected short metal rods
- Moves like a whip or a straight rod
- Sometimes worn as a belt
- Offers many attack options
Projectile and Throwing Weapons
Projectile and throwing weapons were used to strike from a distance. They helped fighters stay safe while still hitting enemies.
These weapons included bows, crossbows, darts, and bombs, and were useful in both hunting and war.
20. Bow (Gong)
Feature: Classic ranged weapon shooting arrows with precision and power.
- Made from wood, horn, and animal parts
- Varied sizes for hunting or war
- Mounted archers were important in armies
- Different arrow types for battle needs
21. Crossbow (Nu)
Feature: Easy-to-use mechanical bow that shoots bolts with great force.
- Bow mounted on a wooden frame
- Can be locked and shot later
- Requires less training than a normal bow
- Some models shoot through armor
22. Sling Bow (Dan Gong)
Feature: Smaller, lighter bow, good for fast shots in forests and small fights.
- A mix between a sling and a bow
- Can be carried and hidden easily
- Shoots far and fast
- Requires good aiming skills
23. Throwing Darts
Feature: Small metal darts for hidden attacks.
- Easy to carry and hide
- Thrown with a strong aim
- Sometimes coated with poison
- Used by spies and guards
24. Throwing Discs (Fei Pan)
Feature: Sharp-edged metal discs thrown to cut and injure at a distance.
- Flat, round metal discs
- Spin quickly when thrown
- Popular with scouts and spies
- Easy to hide and carry
Defensive and Early Gunpowder Weapons
These weapons were made to protect fighters or to surprise enemies with new tech. Shields helped block attacks, while early gunpowder tools, such as fire lances and bombs, shocked enemies with noise, fire, and smoke.
They marked the start of modern warfare in ancient China.
25. Shield (Dun)
Feature: Protective barrier used to block attacks and form defense walls.
- Made of wood, skin, or metal
- Sizes vary from small to body-covering
- Some have spikes or strong centers
- Used in shield walls for protection
26. Fire Lance (Huo Qiang)
Feature: Early gunpowder tube weapons shot fire and projectiles at close range.
- Tube attached to the spear
- Shoots fire, stones, metal bits
- Loud noise scares enemies and horses
- First step toward guns
27. Cannon (Pao)
Feature: Firing metal tubes with large stones or metal balls, changing battle tactics.
- Fired stones or metal balls
- Started as a stationary defense
- Later made smaller for battle use
- Improved range and accuracy over time
28. Handheld Bombs/Thunderclap Grenade (Lei)
Feature: Early explosive weapons caused loud noise, fire, and smoke to disrupt enemies.
- Made of clay or paper
- Contain gunpowder and metal pieces
- Create a loud sound and a bright flash
- Used to scare soldiers and horses
29. Shenbi Crossbow (Divine Arm Crossbow)
Feature: Powerful crossbow that shoots many arrows quickly, effective against large groups.
- Shoots multiple arrows at once
- Requires little training
- Some shoot fire arrows
- Useful when numbers matter more than skill
Conclusion
Now you know about the weapons that ancient Chinese warriors used in battle. These tools weren’t just for fighting only, they were works of art that took years to master.
Each weapon shows us how people solved problems with smart thinking and hard work.
Which of these ancient weapons impressed you the most? Let us know in the comments below!
