List of Chinese Swords from Ancient Times to the Present Day

Of all the countries in the world, China is one with a long and rich history of sword making. Ancient Chinese swordmakers established the practice by working with bronze. Later developments to sword design and function followed in later centuries. 

Chinese swords can be organized into two main categories. Jian swords have ancient origins, with the oldest dating to the 13th century BC. The earliest jian swords were crafted from bronze. 

Jian swords have straight and double edged blades. 

Chinese swordsmiths eventually realized the need for a strong yet flexible blade. This led to the development of the dao sword. This style of Chinese sword first appeared in the Song dynasty (960 to 1279) and has played a part in Chinese military and martial arts history and culture ever since. 

The dao has a curved and single-edged blade. Because this sword has much greater variance than the earlier jian, it will be the emphasis of this article. 

The following are variants within the broader “dao” category. These swords are arranged by historical dynasty for a better understanding of the development and evolution of the dao throughout Chinese history. 

1) Zhanmadao

The zhanmadao first appeared in the Han dynasty but peaked in popularity during the Song dynasty. Like all other dao swords, the zhanmadao featured a single edged blade.

The uniquely broad blade was designed as an anti-cavalry weapon with the ability to slash through the legs of horses. 

Soldiers wielded zhanmadao swords with two hands. Blades could measure 114 centimeters in length. This sword is similar in design to the wodao, changdao, and miaodao (all described below). 

Compared to Japanese swords, the zhanmadao most closely resembles a nagamaki. 

2) Changdao

The changdao or “long saber” is a two-handed, single-edged sword that is similar to a miaodao. This sword developed in the Tang dynasty and was a favorite weapon of elite infantry units. 

Changdao swords could measure up to 7 feet in total length with a 3 foot blade and a 4 foot pole grip. The shallow curve of the blade and overall construction compare to a Japanese odachi. 

3) Liuyedao

Liuyadao swords functioned as miltary sidearms for both cavalry and infantry units during the Ming and Qing dynasties. This is the sword that replaced the jian as the preferred military weapon. 

The liuyadao also functioned as a martial arts weapon in early centuries. 

The sword featured a moderately curved blade that was ideal for cutting and slashing maneuvers. Blade length averaged 36-39 inches with the total sword weight varying from 2 to 3 pounds. 

4) Wodao

The design of the Chinese wodao developed from swords used by Japanese wokou pirates. The name wodao translates to “Japanese sword.” 

Wodao blades originated in the Ming dynasty and were utilized throughout the Qing dynasty as well. 

The sword’s blade averaged 80 cm in length. The design of the madao can be compared to the Japanese tachi or odachi and the Chinese zhanmadao. 

5) Yanmaodao

The yanmaodao sword was a military weapon used during the Ming and Qing dynasties. The sword was developed for thrusting maneuvers similar to those performed with a jian. 

Early yanmaodao swords had straight grips, while later models took on more curved shapes. 

The yanmaodao eventually fell out of favor with the military by the end of the 18th century. 

6) Butterfly Swords

The butterfly sword was a short dao that became popular in the early 19th century. Used in pairs, butterfly swords fit into a single scabbard to appear as a single weapon. 

Butterfly swords generally measured the length of a forearm and were customized to each fighter. Traditional butterfly swords were only sharpened halfway to make the sword work for various situations. 

Martial artists commonly wielded a pair of butterfly swords. 

7) Niuweidao

Niuweidao swords were used during the 19th century. Blades featured signature flared tips. 

Although historically used as a civilian weapon, the nuiweidao can be seen in many popular kung fu movies as the primary weapon of a whole host of characters. 

8) Miaodao

The Chinese miaodao sword is a two-handed saber of the Republican Era (1912-1949). The weapon measures up to 1.2 meters in length. 

This large sword was wielded in the Second Sino-Japanese War of the early 20th century. 

The miaodao is rarely used as a martial arts weapon and is mostly found in North China when used for this purpose. 

9) Nandao

Nandao swords are two-handed, single-edged, and straight. They feature large crossguards that protect the hand and improve maneuvers. 

These are modern weapons and are used in present-day martial arts.