Spear1 (simplified: 枪, traditional: 槍, pinyin: qiāng) is one of the fundamental polearm weapons in Chinese martial arts, emphasising reach, thrusting power, and versatility. Alongside the staff, spear forms a primary category of long weapons in the wulin, with its own distinct techniques, schools, and military heritage.
Overview
Spear represents the polearm tradition in Chinese martial arts, complementing bladed weapons like jian and dao with superior reach and thrusting capability. The weapon’s long shaft and pointed tip make it ideal for both individual combat and military formations, whilst its versatility allows practitioners to adapt techniques for various combat situations.
Throughout the jianghu, spear appears in various contexts: from the legendary Yang Clan Spear Technique used by military families to the techniques employed by various martial arts schools, from battlefield formations to individual duels. The weapon’s effectiveness in both military and civilian contexts makes it one of the most practical and widely used weapons in wuxia fiction.
Description
Spear typically consists of a long shaft (usually made from wood or bamboo) with a metal point attached to one end. The weapon’s length varies depending on the specific style and intended use, with military spears often longer than civilian versions. The point may be simple and straight, or it may feature additional elements like hooks or tassels depending on the style.
The weapon’s length provides significant reach advantage, allowing practitioners to attack opponents from a distance whilst maintaining defensive capabilities. The shaft’s flexibility and weight distribution affect the weapon’s handling characteristics, with different styles optimising for different combat approaches.
Physical characteristics
- Long shaft: Typically several metres in length, providing superior reach
- Pointed tip: Metal point designed for thrusting and piercing attacks
- Shaft material: Usually wood or bamboo, with some legendary spears using special materials
- Balance: Weight distribution varies, with some spears balanced for speed and others for power
- Optional features: Some spears include hooks, tassels, or other decorative/functional elements
- Weight: Varies from relatively light civilian spears to heavy military spears
Combat techniques
Thrusting attacks
Spear techniques emphasise powerful thrusting attacks that take advantage of the weapon’s reach and point. The weapon’s length allows practitioners to strike opponents from a distance, whilst the pointed tip concentrates force into a small area for maximum penetration.
Sweeping and blocking
The long shaft allows for sweeping attacks that can strike multiple opponents or control larger areas. The weapon’s length also provides defensive capabilities, allowing practitioners to block and parry attacks from a safe distance.
Combination techniques
Many spear techniques combine different movements:
- Thrusting combinations: Rapid successive thrusts that overwhelm opponents
- Sweeping thrusts: Attacks that combine horizontal sweeps with vertical thrusts
- Defensive counters: Techniques that block attacks whilst transitioning to offensive strikes
- Mobility techniques: Footwork patterns that maintain optimal distance for spear combat
Military applications
In military contexts, spear techniques emphasise:
- Formation fighting: Coordination with other spearmen in unit formations
- Defensive positions: Using reach to maintain defensive lines
- Cavalry defence: Techniques for defending against mounted opponents
- Range advantage: Maintaining distance from shorter weapons
Notable techniques and schools
Yang Clan Spear Technique
The Yang Clan Spear Technique (杨家枪法 – Yángjiā qiāngfǎ) is a legendary spear style passed down through the Yang family, originating from the famous general Yang Zaixing. The technique consists of seventy-two moves characterised by their length, precision, and versatility.
Key characteristics of the Yang Clan Spear Technique:
- Length in reach: Maximising the weapon’s range advantage
- Substance in illusions: Techniques that appear simple but contain sophisticated variations
- Orthodoxy in unorthodoxy: Standard techniques executed in unexpected ways
- Advancing with sharpness: Aggressive thrusting attacks
- Retreating with speed: Quick defensive movements
- Dangerous positions: Techniques that place practitioners in risky but advantageous positions
- Brief movements: Efficient techniques that conserve energy
Notable moves include:
- Poisonous Dragon Emerging from Cave (毒龙出洞, Dú Lóng Chū Dòng) – A powerful thrusting technique with exceptional reach
- White Rainbow Crossing the Sky (白虹经天, Bái Hóng Jīng Tiān) – A sweeping move that creates an arc-like trajectory
- Spring Thunder Fury (春雷震怒, Chūn Léi Zhèn Nù) – An explosive attack combining speed and power
- Return Horse Spear (回马枪, Huí Mǎ Qiāng) – A defensive counter-technique specifically designed to defeat attacks from behind
The technique is described as having practitioners who remain “immovable as a mountain” when stationary, but attack “like a thunderclap” when in motion.
Appearances
The Legend of the Condor Heroes
In The Legend of the Condor Heroes, spear appears in several contexts:
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Yang Tiexin uses the Yang Clan Spear Technique, demonstrating the weapon’s effectiveness in both individual combat and teaching contexts. He passes the technique to his adopted daughter Mu Nianci, showing how spear techniques can be transmitted through family and master-disciple relationships.
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Spear is mentioned in various military and jianghu contexts, reflecting its dual role as both a battlefield weapon and a martial arts tool.
The Return of the Condor Heroes
- Spear techniques appear in various martial arts schools and individual practitioners, demonstrating the weapon’s widespread use throughout the jianghu.
The Heavenly Sword and the Dragon Sabre
- Spear appears in various contexts throughout the novel, used by both orthodox and heretical practitioners.
Advantages and characteristics
Reach advantage
The spear’s length provides significant reach advantage, allowing practitioners to:
- Attack opponents from outside their effective range
- Maintain defensive distance from shorter weapons
- Control larger areas in combat
- Strike first in engagements
Versatility
The weapon’s versatility allows it to be effective in:
- Individual combat against single opponents
- Group combat against multiple opponents
- Military formations and unit tactics
- Defensive positions and strategic combat
Practical effectiveness
Spear’s practical effectiveness makes it popular because:
- It requires less expensive materials than bladed weapons
- It is easier to maintain and repair
- It can be effective with basic training
- It remains useful even when damaged
Relationship to other weapons
Versus bladed weapons
Spear’s reach advantage makes it effective against shorter bladed weapons like jian and dao, allowing practitioners to strike before opponents can close distance. However, once opponents close the distance, shorter weapons have advantages in close combat.
Versus staff
Spear and staff share similar reach and polearm characteristics, but differ in combat approach:
- Spear: Emphasises thrusting attacks with the point
- Staff: Emphasises striking with the shaft and blocking techniques
- Both weapons share mobility and reach advantages over shorter weapons
Versus other polearms
Spear is distinguished from other polearms like halberd (戟, jǐ) by its simpler design and focus on thrusting rather than cutting or hooking techniques.
Cultural significance
Spear holds significant cultural importance in Chinese martial arts due to:
- Military heritage: Historical association with military prowess and battlefield effectiveness
- Family traditions: Many spear techniques passed down through family lineages
- Practical mastery: Recognition as a weapon that demonstrates practical combat skill
- Versatility: Appreciation for the weapon’s adaptability to various combat situations
The weapon’s association with military families and battlefield prowess gives it cultural weight beyond mere martial arts technique, connecting practitioners to historical traditions of military service and national defence.
Behind the scenes
The spear (枪 – qiāng) is one of the most fundamental weapons in Chinese martial arts history, with archaeological evidence dating back thousands of years. The weapon’s practical effectiveness in both military and civilian contexts has made it one of the most widely used weapons throughout Chinese history.
The translation “spear” is generally accepted as accurate for 枪, as the weapon shares fundamental characteristics with European spears: a long shaft with a pointed tip designed for thrusting. Unlike the dao/sabre distinction, the spear translation accurately captures the weapon’s essential nature.
The Yang Clan Spear Technique draws from historical Chinese military traditions, particularly the legendary general Yang Zaixing, who served under Yue Fei during the Southern Song dynasty. This connection to historical military figures adds authenticity to the weapon’s portrayal in wuxia fiction.
The weapon’s emphasis on reach and thrusting power reflects real Chinese spear techniques, where practitioners maximise the weapon’s advantages through distance control and precise thrusting attacks. The description of techniques as combining “length, precision, and versatility” accurately reflects traditional spear training methods.
See also
- Staff – The other fundamental polearm weapon
- Yang Tiexin – Practitioner of the Yang Clan Spear Technique
- Mu Nianci – Student of the Yang Clan Spear Technique
- Jian – The double-edged sword that complements spear in weapon classification
- Dao – The single-edged blade that complements spear in weapon classification
Footnotes
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枪 – qiāng. A long polearm weapon with a pointed tip, used for thrusting attacks. One of the fundamental weapons in Chinese martial arts, particularly associated with military traditions and long-range combat. ↩