Zhanlu (simplified: 湛卢, traditional: 湛卢, pinyin: Zhànlú, jyutping: zaam3 lou4) was a legendary sword of Chinese lore, said to have been forged by the master smith Ouyezi (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, Ouyezi 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
Zhanlu is one of the five swords Ouyezi forged for King Yunchang of Yue. Yunchang yielded it to Wu; it later fell into a river and came to the King of Chu, who refused to surrender it even when Qin went to war over it. Xue Zhu ranks it second with Chunjun.1
See also
- Ouyezi — The smith credited with forging Zhanlu
- Chunjun, Shengxie, Yuchang, Juque — Other legendary swords
- Sword of the Yue Maiden items