Does Tai Chi use weapons & what are they?

Tai Chi is one of the oldest martial arts on earth and has its roots going back to ancient China. These days, it is highly debated as to whether it is genuinely effective in combat and is mostly treated as a spiritual guide to relaxation as much as it is a martial art. However, back when it was founded around the year 1670, it was certainly a legitimate fighting style. Whilst many associate this fighting style with fists and feet, it did actually use weapons which mostly included swords, staffs, and spears.

For obvious reasons, these weapons weren’t for show either and were commonly used in battle and would also be fought with during wars in the Chinese empire. Such is the popularity of these weapons is that many of them are featured in the popular video game series, Dynasty Warriors. Below is a list of the most popular weapons used in Tai Chi. Remember, due to the vast umbrella term that is Tai Chi, there’s bound to be more weapons out there and various systems will have their own preferences. Nonetheless, these are probably the most mainstream, common Tai Chi weapons that you will hear of.

Jian (straight sword)

This sword dates back to before Christ which tells you a lot about the age of Chinese martial arts. As the translation suggests, this is a regular looking sword and was originally carried as a status symbol by those that were rich and powerful, as well as a weapon. As time went on, the Jian became more mainstream with regular people.

Visually, this looks like a sword that people would also associate with the western world and in many ways it just looks like a regular sword. However, there are also two things to note that make this unique and identifiable with Chinese history. The first is sometimes, the handle is unique and easy to recognize, and secondly, it often comes with a tassel attached to the bottom of the handle. Many Tai Chi practitioners will use the Jian to practice movements and techniques with, similar to how kata is trained in Karate

Dao (broad sword)

The Dao also belongs to the Qing dynasty but is lighter and shorter to hold when compared to the Jian. As a result, it can easily be carried in one hand. This sword looks very similar to a scimitar or sabre as it has a curved edge at the tip of the blade. Its handle is either made from wood, steel, or both with rope wrapped around it which makes gripping easier. Like the Jian, this would often come with a case for the blade which was useful whilst traveling.

Originally, this sword was used as a chopping device which is why it’s sometimes called a ‘chopping sword’. It is also used in Tai Chi similarly to how the Jian is trained with. Having said this, the form and stances are generally quite different as it’s a lot smaller and lighter, meaning certain movements are easier to pull off.

Qiang (spear)

The QIang is another ancient Chinese weapon that is basically a spear. This would have a polearm body with a blade on the top. Due to the many variations of the Qiang, the blade could either be short and pointed like most regular spears, or curved and long which is commonly associated with it.

Due to its length, the Qiang would be held in both hands which meant it was built to be light – otherwise it would simply be too heavy to hold upright. In combat, it would often be pointed downward so it could lunged towards enemies but can also be held upwards whilst in defense of another spear.

The Qiang is often recognized by its tassel that is situated where the pole meets the blade. Often the color of the tassel is red. Again, due to the size and awkwardness of holding the Qiang, this dictates its form in Tai Chi and makes its movements unique compared to those done with swords.

Gwun (staff)

The Gwun is the name of a long staff that could be made from wood or metal. The art of the Gwun is still very much alive today, and similar variations of it can be seen in the form of the Bo. This is a slightly different long staff which is light to carry but can be used to cause damage and is even used in popular cinema.

Once again, the shape and size of the Gwun dictates just how it’s used in Tai Chi and shapes the form that is used with it. In some ways, its size can be compared to something in between the Qiang and Jian, so if you can do the correct form with those weapons, then you should naturally do better when it comes to handling the Gwun.

Conclusion

Whilst these weapons may be ancient, it’s a testament to their abilities that they’re still being trained with to this day. This says a lot about their fundamental uses that they’re still relevant. At the same time, let’s be realistic – you’re probably not going to brandish a QIang spear in self defense anytime soon either.

With this said, these weapons are mostly trained with these days for traditional purposes rather than practicality. This is arguably one of the main issues with Tai Chi in general – that it’s a martial art that isn’t very applicable to modern day society. Nonetheless, the weapons used in Tai Chi live on for now and will do for the foreseeable future.

If you’d like to learn more about Tai Chi in general, then check out this useful book on the history and practice of the art.