• 30 Jun,2026

Shaolin Kung Fu Weapons​ and Their Uses

Shaolin Kung Fu weapons are vast, known as the “Eighteen Weapons.” These are mainly divided into long weapons, short weapons, flexible weapons, and unconventional weapons, including staffs, spears, knives, swords, halberds, shovels, whips, and hooks, which serve both practical combat and fitness purposes.
少林功夫的兵器种类繁多，被称为“十八种兵器”。这些兵器主要分为长兵器、短兵器、软兵器和非常规兵器，包括棍棒、长矛、匕首、剑、戟、铲子、鞭子和钩子，既可用于实战，也可用于健身。

This blog post mainly explains Shaolin kung fu weapons, their uses, and their applications in kung fu.
这篇博文主要介绍了少林功夫的兵器、用途及其在功夫中的应用。

Staff (Gun)  枪杆

The staff, known as Gun in Chinese, is one of the most fundamental and versatile weapons in Shaolin Kung Fu, often regarded as the “grandfather” of all weapons due to its simplicity and effectiveness in both offense and defense.
棍棒，中文称作“枪”，是少林功夫中最基本、用途最广泛的武器之一，由于其简单易用，攻防兼备，常被视为所有武器的“祖师爷”。

The staff is the foundation of all Shaolin kung fu weapon training. Physically, it is a long, wooden pole, traditionally made of wax wood, which offers flexibility and durability. It is the first weapon a Shaolin monk learns because it teaches the fundamental principles of extension, leverage, and two-handed coordination.
棍是少林功夫所有兵器训练的基础。棍是一根长长的木杆，传统上用蜡木制成，兼具柔韧性和耐用性。它是少林僧人学习的第一种兵器，因为它能教会他们伸展、杠杆和双手协调等基本原理。

The staff is vigorous and fast-paced, focusing on broad sweeping strikes to manage multiple opponents and precise pokes to vital points. Key energies include Pi (splitting), Beng (smashing), and Sao (sweeping).
该武术动作迅猛有力，注重大范围横扫以应对多个对手，并精准刺击要害。其主要能量包括劈（Pi）、击（Beng）和扫（Sao）。

Because the staff has no blade, it relies on speed and the generation of centrifugal force to cause damage. It is also an excellent defensive tool; a spinning staff creates an impenetrable barrier against attacks.
由于这根棍子没有刀刃，它依靠速度和离心力来造成伤害。它同时也是一种极佳的防御工具；旋转的棍子能形成一道坚不可摧的屏障，抵御攻击。

Applications in Shaolin Kungfu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Yin Shou Gun: Focuses on unconventional grips and confusing the opponent.
阴手枪：注重非常规握法和迷惑对手。

Shao Huo Gun: A famous form derived from the kitchen monks who used fire pokers to defend the monastery.
少火枪：一种源自灶僧的著名拳法，他们用拨火棍保卫寺院。

Liu He Gun: A two-person set that teaches distancing and timing.
刘鹤炮：一套教授距离和时机的双人舞。

Broadsword (Dao)  阔剑（道）

The broadsword, or Dao, is the “marshal of all weapons” and is a single-edged curved blade weapon in Shaolin Kung Fu. The broadsword utilizes circular force to overwhelm opponents with continuous slashing attacks.
刀，又称阔剑，是少林功夫中的“万兵器之王”，是一种单刃弯刀。阔剑利用圆周运动的力量，以连续的劈砍攻击压制对手。

While the staff represents the monk, the broadsword represents the soldier. It is a single-edged curved blade. In Shaolin philosophy, we say, “The saber is like a ferocious tiger.” It requires a spirit of fearlessness.
棍棒象征僧侣，而刀剑则象征战士。刀剑是单刃弯刀。在少林哲学中，我们说“刀如猛虎”，它需要无畏的精神。

The broadsword is a short-range weapon that relies on constant motion. Unlike the straight sword, which is precise, the broadsword is brutal and hacking. A key use is “wrapping the head and brain,” meaning the blade is kept close to the body, wrapping around the practitioner to provide a moving shield before lashing out.
阔剑是一种近距离武器，依靠持续不断的移动来施展。与精准的直剑不同，阔剑凶猛残暴，劈砍无比。其关键用法之一是“缠绕头部和大脑”，即剑刃紧贴身体，环绕使用者，形成一道移动的盾牌，然后再猛力挥砍。

The empty hand is just as important as the sword hand; it follows the blade to balance the body and add focus to the strike. Techniques primarily involve slashing, chopping, and blocking with the spine of the blade to protect the sharp edge.
空手与持剑的手同样重要；它跟随刀刃移动，以保持身体平衡，并使攻击更加集中。技术主要包括劈砍和用刀背格挡，以保护锋利的刀刃。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用 ：

Mei Hua Dao: Characterized by fluid, blooming movements that hide the lethal intent.
魅花道：以流畅、绽放般的动作为特点，掩盖其致命意图。

Qi Xing Dao: A dynamic form featuring rapid changes in direction and agility.
七行道：一种动态的道式，以快速改变方向和敏捷性为特点。

Straight Sword (Jian)  直剑（剑）

The straight sword, or Jian, called the “Gentleman of Weapons,” demands precision, agility, and the cultivation of internal energy rather than brute strength.
直剑，又称剑，被称为“兵器君子”，它要求的是精准、敏捷和内力的修炼，而不是蛮力。

The Jian is a double-edged blade, lighter than the broadsword and designed for piercing gaps in armor. It requires a calm mind and a fluid body.
剑是一种双刃剑，比阔剑轻，专为刺穿盔甲缝隙而设计。使用剑需要沉着冷静的头脑和灵活的身法。

This is an advanced weapon. Mastery of the Jian is not about hacking; it is about deflection and redirection. Because the blade is thin, blocking a heavy weapon directly would snap it.
这是一种高级武器。剑的精髓不在于劈砍，而在于格挡和化解。由于剑刃纤薄，直接格挡重型武器会使其折断。

Therefore, the practitioner must use footwork to evade and deflect attacks, redirecting the opponent’s force before delivering a fatal thrust. The focus is on the tip of the blade. The movements are intricate, often involving wrist circles and precise stabs to the throat, eyes, or wrists.
因此，习练者必须运用步法躲避和化解攻击，在给予致命一击前转移对手的力道。重点在于刀尖。动作复杂精妙，通常包括手腕的环绕运动，以及精准刺向喉咙、眼睛或手腕。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Damo Jian: A form emphasizing meditative movement and internal power.
达摩剑：一种强调冥想动作和内在力量的拳法。

Long Xing Jian: Focuses on twisting body movements and rapid, darting strikes.
龙形剑：注重扭转身形和快速、迅捷的攻击。

Spear (Qiang)  长矛（羌）

The spear, or Qiang, called the “King of All Weapons,” is a long-shafted weapon with a pointed blade tip in Shaolin Kung Fu, known as the “king of weapons” for its superior reach and lethal thrusting capabilities.
长矛，又称“兵器之王”，是少林功夫中的一种长柄武器，矛尖锋利，因其攻击范围广、刺击威力大，被称为“兵器之王”。

Historically, the spear was the primary weapon of military warfare. In Shaolin, it represents the pinnacle of long-range combat. It consists of a flexible wax wood shaft and a diamond-shaped metal tip, often adorned with red horsehair to blur the tip’s position and stop blood from making the shaft slippery.
历史上，长矛是军事战争的主要武器。在少林武术中，它代表着远程战斗的巅峰。长矛由柔韧的蜡木杆和菱形金属矛尖组成，矛尖通常饰以红色马鬃，以模糊矛尖的位置，并防止血液使杆身湿滑。

The spear moves unpredictably and flexibly. The primary technique is the thrust, which must be generated from the waist and rooted in the legs. The famous maxim for spear training is “Lan, Na, Zha.”
长矛的运动轨迹难以预测且灵活。其主要技巧是刺击，刺击必须由腰部发力，腿部扎根。长矛训练的著名格言是“兰、纳、扎”。

The flexibility of the shaft allows the practitioner to snap the spear, creating a vibration that can disarm opponents or knock aside heavy weapons. While the tip is for killing, the butt of the spear is used for striking in close quarters.
矛杆的柔韧性使使用者能够折断长矛，产生的震动可以解除对手的武装或击落重型武器。矛尖用于杀伤，而矛尾则用于近身搏斗。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Shaolin Thirteen Spear: A classic set containing the thirteen fundamental defensive and offensive spear energies.
少林十三枪：一套经典的枪法，包含十三种基本的攻防枪法。

Mei Hua Qiang: Focuses on rapid, clustered thrusts resembling a flower.
梅花强：注重快速、密集的冲刺，形似花朵。

Three-Section Staff (San Jie Gun)
三节杖（三节棍）

The three-section staff, San Jie Gun, is a flexible chained weapon in Shaolin Kung Fu, consisting of three connected rods, capable of striking around shields and adapting to various ranges.
三节棍（San Jie Gun）是少林功夫中的一种灵活的链式武器，由三根连接的棍子组成，能够绕过盾牌进行攻击，并适应不同的攻击距离。

This is one of the most difficult weapons to master. It combines the length of the staff with the flexibility of the chain whip.
这是最难掌握的武器之一。它结合了长棍的长度和链鞭的灵活性。

The Three-Section Staff is versatile. Fully extended, it acts as a long weapon. Held by the center section, it functions as dual short sticks for close-range boxing. Held by both ends, it can be used to block and trap. Its most dangerous feature is its ability to wrap.
三节棍用途广泛。完全展开时，它可作为长兵器使用。握住中间部分，它可作为两根短棍用于近身搏斗。握住两端，它可用于格挡和擒拿。它最危险的特点是能够缠绕对手。

If an opponent blocks a strike, the flexible joints allow the hitting end to fold over the block and strike the target behind it. It requires high coordination; a mistake can easily result in the practitioner striking themselves.
如果对手格挡了攻击，灵活的关节可以让击打端绕过格挡物，击中其后的目标。这需要极高的协调性；稍有不慎，练习者就可能误伤自己。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Shaolin San Jie Gun: The core form teaching the folding, spinning, and extension methods.
少林三段拳：教授折叠、旋转和伸展方法的核心套路。

Chain Whip (Jiu Jie Bian)

The Chain Whip, or Jiu Jie Bian, consists of nine metal sections linked together with a handle and a heavy dart at the tip. It is a soft and hidden weapon, relying on rotational inertia and speed and used for long-range whipping attacks.
九节鞭，又称链鞭，由九节金属鞭身组成，鞭身通过手柄连接，鞭梢装有沉重的鞭头。它是一种轻柔隐蔽的武器，依靠旋转惯性和速度进行远程鞭击。

The chain whip typically consists of nine metal sections linked together with a handle and a heavy dart at the tip. It is easily concealed in a sleeve or belt, making it a surprise weapon.
链鞭通常由九节金属鞭身组成，鞭身通过手柄连接，鞭梢装有沉重的飞镖。它很容易藏在袖子或腰带里，因此是一种出其不意的武器。

The chain whip must be kept in constant circular motion; if it stops, it becomes useless. The practitioner uses the joints of the body—elbows, neck, knees, and ankles—as pivot points to accelerate the whip and change its direction.
链鞭必须保持持续的圆周运动；一旦停止，便失去作用。练习者利用身体的关节——肘部、颈部、膝盖和脚踝——作为支点，来加速鞭子并改变其方向。

It is primarily a mid-range weapon used to strike the head or wrap around limbs to trip or disarm. The visual display is dazzling, often used to intimidate, but the strike of the tip carries enough kinetic energy to fracture bone.
它主要是一种中距离武器，用于击打头部或缠绕四肢以绊倒或缴械。其视觉效果令人眼花缭乱，常用于恐吓，但尖端的冲击力足以造成骨折。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Solo Chain Whip: Performance and combat sets focusing on wrapping and shooting techniques.
单人链鞭：表演和战斗套路，重点在于缠绕和发射技巧。

Double Chain Whip: An advanced variation using a whip in each hand.
双链鞭：一种进阶变式，双手各持一根鞭子。

Monk’s Spade (Yue Ya Chan)
和尚铲 (月雅禅)

The Monk’s Spade, or Yue Ya Chan, is a distinctive Shaolin weapon with a spade on one end and a crescent blade on the other, originally a tool for traveling monks to bury the dead and clear paths.
月牙刀，又称僧侣铲，是一种独特的少林兵器，一端是铲子，另一端是月牙形刀刃，最初是旅行僧侣埋葬死者和清理道路的工具。

This weapon is synonymous with the character Lu Zhishen from The Water Margin. It is a heavy weapon, often weighing over 50 pounds in traditional practice, designed to build immense physical power.
这种兵器与《水浒传》中的陆之深这一人物密不可分。它是一种重型兵器，传统练习中通常重达50磅以上，旨在增强强大的体魄。

The monk’s spade is a weapon of momentum and geometry. The spade end is used for digging and undercutting, while the crescent moon end is used to hook the neck or limbs.
僧侣的铁锹是一种运用动量和几何原理的武器。铲形端用于挖掘和凿穿，而弯月形端则用于钩住脖子或四肢。

Because of its weight, it cannot be manipulated with the wrist like a spear; the movement must come from the core and the turning of the waist. It acts as a defensive wall. The wide blades make it excellent for blocking projectiles and crowd control.
由于其重量，它无法像长矛那样用手腕操控；其运动必须源于核心力量和腰部的转动。它如同一道防御墙。宽阔的刀刃使其非常适合阻挡投掷物和控制人群。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Shaolin Chan: Forms that emphasize low stances, heavy rooting, and wide, clearing movements.
少林禅：强调低位站姿、稳固根基和宽广、清晰的动作。

Tiger Hook Swords (Shuang Gou)
双钩剑

Double hooks, Shuang Gou, are paired curved blades in Shaolin Kung Fu, designed for hooking, slashing, and trapping. Exotic dual weapons featuring a hooked tip, a sharpened guard, and a spear point, designed for disarming and maiming.
双钩，又称双钩，是少林功夫中一对弯曲的刀刃，用于钩、劈、擒。这种独特的双持武器，刀尖呈钩状，护手锋利，刀尖如矛，专为缴械和致残而设计。

These are typically used as a pair. They appear intimidating and are purely martial weapons, with no agricultural origin.
这些武器通常成对使用。它们外形威猛，是纯粹的军事武器，与农业无关。

The Tiger Hooks has four damaging components: the tip for stabbing, the hook for catching weapons, the crescent guard for slashing, and the sword blade for cutting. This weapon is linking the two hooks together. This suddenly doubles the practitioner’s reach, allowing them to swing the outer sword like a flexible meteor hammer to cut a distant opponent.
虎钩由四个部分组成：用于刺击的钩尖、用于钩住武器的钩子、用于劈砍的月牙形护手以及用于切割的剑刃。这件武器将两个钩子连接在一起，使使用者攻击范围瞬间翻倍，能够像挥舞灵活的流星锤一样挥舞外侧的剑刃，斩杀远处的敌人。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Mei Hua Shuang Gou: A set designed to fight against long weapons like the spear by trapping the shaft in the hooks.
梅花双钩：一种用来对付长矛等长兵器的武器，通过钩住矛杆来抵挡攻击。

Damo Cane (Damo Guai)  达莫·卡内（达莫·瓜伊）

A T-shaped crutch-like weapon associated with Bodhidharma, emphasizing humility and the ability to turn a support tool into a devastating defensive instrument.
与菩提达摩有关的 T 形拐杖状武器，强调谦逊以及将辅助工具转化为毁灭性防御武器的能力。

Legend has it that Bodhidharma used a cane to aid his travel to the Shaolin Temple. This weapon symbolizes the monk’s nonaggressive nature—it is a walking aid first and a weapon second.
传说菩提达摩前往少林寺时曾拄着拐杖。这根拐杖象征着僧人温和的本性——它首先是行走的辅助工具，其次才是武器。

The cane is a short-range weapon primarily used for locking, hooking, and striking pressure points. The perpendicular handle allows for high-leverage blocks and can be used to hook an opponent’s leg for a takedown. The shaft is used to strike, while the tip is used to poke. It is highly effective in close quarters where long weapons are disadvantaged.
手杖是一种近距离武器，主要用于锁技、勾技和击打穴位。垂直的杖柄便于高杠杆格挡，也可用于勾住对手的腿进行摔倒。杖身用于击打，杖尖用于戳刺。在长武器处于劣势的近距离搏斗中，手杖非常有效。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Damo Cane Forms: Specific sets that mimic the hobbling walk of an elderly monk to lure opponents in before striking with sudden speed.
达摩杖套路：模仿老僧蹒跚而行的特定套路，引诱对手靠近，然后以迅雷不及掩耳之势发动攻击。

Pu Dao  朴岛

A lighter infantry variant of the Guan Dao, combining the leverage of a staff with the cutting power of a broadsword.
关刀的轻型步兵变种，结合了长棍的杠杆作用和阔剑的切割力。

Often called the “Horse Cutter,” the Pu Dao consists of a broad, heavy blade attached to a medium-length wooden staff (shorter than a spear but longer than a sword).
普刀常被称为“马刀”，它由一把宽而重的刀刃和一根中等长度的木棍组成（比长矛短，但比剑长）。

The Pu Dao is a weapon of war. It is designed to cut through armor and, as the name suggests, cut the legs of horses on the battlefield. It utilizes the “slashing” energy of the saber but with the increased leverage of the staff.
蒲刀是一种战争武器。它的设计目的是斩断盔甲，顾名思义，还能在战场上砍断战马的腿。它利用了刀剑的“劈砍”力，但又兼具长棍的杠杆作用。

The practitioner uses the weight of the blade to generate centrifugal force. Movements are large, circular, and continuous. It is excellent for fighting multiple opponents, as the heavy blade can clear a wide radius.
练习者利用刀刃的重量产生离心力。动作幅度大、弧度圆润且连贯。这种武术非常适合对付多个对手，因为沉重的刀刃可以扫过很大的范围。

Applications in Shaolin Kung Fu Styles:
少林功夫中的应用：

Shaolin Pu Dao: Focuses on waist rotation, heavy chopping, and low-stance sweeping attacks.
少林普道：注重腰部旋转、重劈和低位扫击。