Throwing arrow (simplified: 飞箭, traditional: 飛箭, pinyin: Fēi Jiàn)1 was a projectile weapon designed for throwing at targets. The weapon allowed practitioners to attack from distance and could be used to probe areas or strike concealed opponents.
Overview
Throwing arrows provided ranged combat capability, allowing practitioners to engage targets from distance before closing for melee combat. The weapon’s compact size made it easy to carry multiple projectiles, enabling sustained ranged attacks.
Description
Throwing arrows were designed for hand-throwing rather than bow-launching, typically shorter and heavier than arrows designed for archery. The weapon’s compact design allowed practitioners to carry multiple projectiles, making it suitable for both initial probing attacks and sustained ranged combat. The name “飞箭” (flying arrow) emphasised its projectile nature and distinguished it from arrows designed for bows.
Appearances
Mandarin Duck Blades
Zhou Weixin, escort chief of the Weixin Armed Escort, carried throwing arrows as part of his combat arsenal. During the escort mission, he used a throwing arrow to probe a suspicious thicket, successfully striking a hidden figure who had been groaning within the undergrowth. The arrow struck the target’s buttock, demonstrating Zhou Weixin’s accuracy with the weapon.
Notable practitioners
- Zhou Weixin — Used throwing arrows as part of his escort equipment (Mandarin Duck Blades)
Behind the scenes
Throwing arrows are a category of projectile weapons in Chinese martial arts, designed for hand-throwing rather than bow-launching. The weapon’s name “飞箭” (flying arrow) emphasises its projectile nature and distinguishes it from arrows designed for bows. In wuxia fiction, throwing arrows serve as practical ranged weapons for practitioners who need distance capability without the complexity of archery equipment.
See also
- Zhou Weixin — Practitioner who used throwing arrows
- Weixin Armed Escort — Organisation whose members carried throwing arrows
Footnotes
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飞箭 – fēi jiàn. A projectile weapon for throwing. ↩