Howdy folks, the arsenal and military sections of CHF are my favorite parts of this board, so i'm here with another question
I fear I may have asked this before and forgotten though...


What are iconic, symbolic weapons and armor to the Chinese culture? By that I mean, to make a western analogy (since I grew up in America), like how the straight cruciform sword is seen as iconic of the chivalrous knight, sword and shield.

Specifics to dynasty or historic evidence would be awesome, but I'm really looking for just ideas and discussion.
weapons specific to great heroes that have influenced the image also welcome!

What I figure so far...

straight sword, jian:
The gentleman's weapon,

single edged sword (curved always?) dao:
Less refined, more an image of the violent warrior.
Is there a difference between straight and curved varieties? Thin (like willow) or thick (like ox tails)?
I've heard thick ones like ox tails have an association with less trained peasants or rebels, since they were (i've heard here) not used by the state military.

Is there a particular association with paired swords then? Or certain heroes that used paired swords? paired curved swords, paired straight swords?

pole mounted large single edged blades:
associated with Guanyu which carries many other associations of martial valor, seems to be associated with cavalry nobles.

howabout double bladed spears, straight spears? What kind of spear did Mulan use? In various wuxia stories I've heard reference to the 'Yang family spear' style, what kind of spears did they use?

The axe, I've heard of it as a symbol of command. Whoen did this originate, why? This seems odd as axes are usually seen as less refined as swords, cheaper. Like the Vikings, the wealthier ones used swords, the poorer ones axes.

Hammers/maces/scepters: besides being used to crack open hard nuts, did they have symbolic value? I've heard of them taking the form of scepters as a symbol of royal authority.

There's Lu Bu's Halberd, I do not know what it is called in Chinese, did any other heroes of note use it? I've heard one of the 108 obsessed with Lu Bu used one, right?

Bow and arrows: Was it considered a skill for being a gentleman? I've heard that Confucius has made mention of knowing how to use a bow as important in being a gentleman, but I'm not sure. I've also heard of many cultures that consider the art of archery a noble affair, or critical in proving your manhood.

Crossbow: Chinese have a long history with the crossbow, having invented it and all, what association is made with it? Is it considered 'low class' maybe, in comparison with the bow? I've heard of crossbow snipers who targetted enemy commanders, I've heard of assassination attempts by small crossbows. I haven't heard of any heroic individual that used one though (most seem to use bows).


Did Chinese culture make distinctions between their weapons and those of 'barbarians'? I've heard statements like "Barbarians of all directions fear the crossbow", it sounds like the technology for creating crossbows, probably out of reach of most nomads, would be symbolic of Chinese virtue.


This doesn't have to be reliant on history or reality either, I'm actually very curious about theatrical weapons too.

I guess like, in the west, or at least in the US, with Lord of the Rings, Dungeons & Dragons and other fantasy, certain weapons have certain associations.
straight sword= knightly, curved sword=cruel, wild, bow= sneaky, agile, axe= wild, untamed, hammer/mace= religious, authority, stoic

stuff like that

I don't think the technology of crossbows was out for the Nomads. It's just that crossbows are effectively impractical for the nomadic warriors who were used to combat on horses. They were more used to using bows (archers) when riding on horses. Very rarely did they use the crossbows when they were riding horses, simply because they were very difficult to operate when riding on horses.