Zhanlu (simplified: 湛卢, traditional: 湛盧, pinyin: Zhànlú, jyutping: zaam3 lou4) was a legendary sword of Chinese lore, said to have been forged by the master smith Ou Yezi (欧冶子). It is often listed among the “famous swords” (名剑 — míngjiàn) of antiquity, alongside Chunjun, Shengxie, Yuchang, and Juque.
Legend
Zhanlu is associated with the Spring and Autumn period and the State of Yue. In tradition, Ou Yezi forged it along with other legendary blades; Zhanlu was sometimes said to have been presented to a king or to embody particular virtues. The name is often interpreted in connection with clarity or depth (湛 — zhàn can suggest “deep” or “clear”).
In Sword of the Yue Maiden
In Jin Yong’s Sword of the Yue Maiden, the novel’s focus on the Yue court, famous swords, and Ou Yezi places Zhanlu within the same legendary framework. References to famous swords help establish the cultural and historical background of the story.