Meteor hammer (simplified: 流星锤, traditional: 流星錘, pinyin: Líuxīng Chuí)1 was a flexible weapon consisting of a weight attached to the end of a rope or chain. The weapon could be swung in wide arcs to strike targets from distance or used to disarm opponents by entangling their weapons.
Overview
The meteor hammer’s design allowed for both striking and disarming techniques. The weighted end could deliver powerful blows when swung, whilst the flexible rope or chain component enabled the weapon to wrap around and entangle opponents’ weapons or limbs. This combination of impact and entanglement made it effective against both armed and unarmed opponents.
Description
The meteor hammer typically consisted of a metal or stone weight connected to a length of rope or chain. The weight could vary in size and material, with heavier weights delivering more powerful strikes but requiring greater strength to control. The flexible connection allowed practitioners to generate momentum through spinning techniques, enabling both direct strikes and entangling manoeuvres. The weapon demanded significant skill to wield effectively, as controlling the weighted end during spinning techniques required precise timing and spatial awareness.
Appearances
Mandarin Duck Blades
Gai Yiming, one of the Four Xias of Taiyue, wielded a pair of meteor hammers during the attempted robbery of the Weixin Armed Escort convoy. He employed the weapons when confronting the escort team, though the group’s martial abilities proved insufficient for their ambitious robbery attempt.
Notable practitioners
- Gai Yiming — Wielded meteor hammers as part of his combat arsenal (Mandarin Duck Blades)
Behind the scenes
The meteor hammer is a traditional Chinese weapon, with the name “流星” (meteor) referencing the weapon’s appearance when swung rapidly—resembling a shooting star. The weapon requires significant skill to wield effectively, as controlling the weighted end during spinning techniques demands precise timing and spatial awareness.
In wuxia fiction, meteor hammers are often depicted as weapons requiring both strength and dexterity, making them popular choices for practitioners who favour flexible combat styles over rigid blade techniques.
See also
- Four Xias of Taiyue — Faction whose member wielded this weapon
- Gai Yiming — Practitioner of meteor hammer