These pics are courtesy of famous Chinese sword-collector
Alex Huangfu and posted on the Chinese sword forum of www.hfsword.com

Nice pictures, Thomas. But what are those dots on the sword?

Those are inlaid bronze "stars", common on several Ming and Qing Jian (always in a formation of seven). Not sure about their use before, so I am curious about that too.

I believe their are some kind of reinforcement for the sword to strengthen it and to improve flexibility etc. The Japanese used a different technique for the same purpose.

It is better to put a little bit of other substance in a sword than such plain steel.

Is it an antique or a model? If it's an antique, then I say good job keeping it in shape.

Hi guys

These dots represent the Ursa Major star constellation, also known as the Great Bear constellation. If I understand it correctly, this practice of inscribing the seven stars on the sword dates back from as early as the Warring States period. The seven stars pattern seem to have some sort of Taoist symbology during the old days... Perhaps someone with a background in Taoism could enlighten us...

Also, these inlaid dots on the jian do not in anyway strengthen or enhance the sword structure.


Anthrophobia, this jian is an antique....

Isn't Ursa Major referred to as Bei Dou?

Logically speaking, if the stars pattern goes back to Warring states, they have to serve a purpose. Sword is a practical weapon and no one would put anything extra on it just to make it look nice except for ceremonial swords. If the pattern is on the sword it mean something. Why are the dots there there? Answer is obvious when we think about what a sword is for. Furthermore, the stars on the sword that you are showing do not resemble the Dipper/great bear constellation; they are strategically placed on the sword. Again, why strategically place them when they are just for symbolism?

If I am not mistaken, it is steel blade folded by several layer of bronze. That is reason why the sword doesn’t have too much rusted surface (except edge part because it is maded out of steel). About those dots, they are copper. The smith may insert those copper pieces before the sharpening process.

Ps. I have no solid clue to back up my words.

Nice pics... I wonder if forgers here in the philippines can make one like that... not exactly like, cause I know there's nothing much better than the originals...

I thought the seven stars was a trademark, or something like that. Some cosmetic reason.
Though how widespread were those markings? Were they only on swords for the upper class, decorative swords, or did swords wielded by grunt troops also have them?

Heard about them first from Thomas Chen's site anyways, so if he is asking questions then, I got nothin'

The seven brightest stars in Ursa Major are known as the Big Dipper in the USA, and as the 'Bei Dou' (which means 'Northern Dipper') in China. See http://www.astropix.com/HTML/C_SPRING/BIGDIP.HTM and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Big_Dipper