Sword of Goujian
Dublin Core
Title
Sword of Goujian
Bronze Jian
Subject
Sword
China
Weapon
Description
Jian is the Chinese term for a double-edged straight sword. The jian/sword discussed here is believed to have belonged to the Goujian, King of Yue near the end of the Spring and Autumn period..
The bronze jian were first used by the Zhou dynasty during the late Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. However, they were only worn as secondary (backup) weapons by troops armed with spears and dagger-axes. This means they would only be used if the spear or axe was lost, destroyed, or otherwise rendered ineffective.
The jian developed from the dagger. Daggers were also used as secondary weapons, and continued to be used alongside the jian.
Swords did gain a certain “mystique,” as unique weapons to be worn for display purposes, like daggers. With the rise of iron, bronze swords became irrelevant, and were replaced by curved swords for cavalry, elaborate display swords, and iron swords.
The bronze jian were first used by the Zhou dynasty during the late Spring and Autumn period of Chinese history. However, they were only worn as secondary (backup) weapons by troops armed with spears and dagger-axes. This means they would only be used if the spear or axe was lost, destroyed, or otherwise rendered ineffective.
The jian developed from the dagger. Daggers were also used as secondary weapons, and continued to be used alongside the jian.
Swords did gain a certain “mystique,” as unique weapons to be worn for display purposes, like daggers. With the rise of iron, bronze swords became irrelevant, and were replaced by curved swords for cavalry, elaborate display swords, and iron swords.
Creator
Wikimedia User Siyuwj (picture)
Date
c. 481 - 221 BC
Rights
Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 International
Publisher
Wikimedia Commons
Format
JPEG
Still Image Item Type Metadata
Original Format
Sword
Physical Dimensions
3,722 × 780 pixels
Files
Citation
Wikimedia User Siyuwj (picture), “Sword of Goujian,” Derek's Omeka site, accessed April 18, 2024, https://derekenglehistory.omeka.net/items/show/3.