Eighteen Arms of Wushu


The Eighteen Arms is a list of the eighteen main weapons of Chinese martial arts. The origin of the list is unclear and there have been disputes as to what the eighteen weapons actually are. However, all lists contain at least one or more of the following weapons:

Wuzazu version

The 五雜俎, written by the Ming-dynasty Fujianese scholar 謝肇淛, lists the following:
  1. Bow
  2. Crossbow
  3. Spear
  4. Single-edged sword
  5. Double-edged sword
  6. Ancient style spear
  7. Shield
  8. Axe
  9. Greataxe
  10. Dagger halberd
  11. Round bar mace or iron whip
  12. Bar mace
  13. Pole pick
  14. Spiked Mace
  15. Trident
  16. Rake
  17. Rope
  18. Barehanded

    Water Margin version

The Ming novel Water Margin lists the following:
  1. Ancient style spear
  2. Mace
  3. Bow
  4. Crossbow
  5. Firearm
  6. Round bar mace or iron whip
  7. Bar mace
  8. Sword
  9. Chain
  10. Pole pick
  11. Axe
  12. Greataxe
  13. Dagger axe
  14. Dagger halberd
  15. Shield
  16. Club
  17. Spear
  18. Trident

    Other version

  19. Blade
  20. Spear
  21. Double-edged sword
  22. Dagger halberd
  23. Axe
  24. Greataxe
  25. Hook sword
  26. Trident
  27. Ranseur
  28. Staff
  29. Long spear
  30. Club
  31. Round bar mace or iron whip
  32. Bar mace
  33. Mace
  34. Pole pick
  35. Tonfa
  36. Meteor hammer