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Weapons Of Wudang
Over the years broadsword has had similar importance in wushu as the straightsword. During ancient times the aristocracy always had a straightsword by their sword while soldiers always had a broadsword by their side. In Wudang we practice single broadsword. Our broadsword, Xuangong Dao is from the Xuangong System which was created by Daoist Priest Kuang Chang Xiu of Laoshan. The major methods of broadsword are hacking, slashing, and piercing with ferocious and continuous movement like a tiger chasing prey.
The monk spade is also a rarely seen weapon that is unique to Wudang and Daoism. It was also another article that was carried by traveling Daoists. It is said that Laozi was the creator of the monk spade. The requirements of monk spade practice are strict and the requirements for its construction are also of great importance. Each part being a specific length and representative a greater idea in Daoism. For example, both the top and bottom of the monk spade have three rings. The rings are representative of the Three Manifestations: heaven, earth, and man and the Thre Treasures: jing, qi, and shen. Monk spade combines the techniques of staff, spear, and broadsword in its application.
The straightsword is an essential implement used in Daoist religious rituals. Thus, originally wooden swords were used and were only used by the higher level Daoist priests. They were used in ritualistic exorcism and rituals centered around driving out evil forces from a person. Later during disciple initiation ritual, masters began giving their disciples horsetail whips and fuchens as representative symbols of transmission and devotion. When disciples felt their devotion wavering and felt drawn by the distractions of the outside world, they would be reminded of their devotion by this great symbol given to them by their master. So in Wudang Daoism, the sword is to “behead demons and drive out evils” – or to overcome oneself and the distractions that challenge a disciple on his path. It is an emblem for justice. The practice of sword is an external form of cultivation that can help to harmonize the internal and create greater balance between the two. These are the origins of Wudang sword. There are many different sword practices within the Wudang system, the most well known being Taiji sword, Taiyi Xuanmen Sword, Eight Immortals Sword, and Dragon Sword.
Contained within Wudang wushu are also several rarely seen weapons. The horsetail whip (fuchen) is unique to Daoist wushu. A Chinese saying states “One who carries a fuchen is not an ordinary person”. In Daoism the fuchen is used symbolically to sweep away the dust of the mundane world. Traveling Daoists often carried a fuchen with them. Over the years, the fuchen gradually begin to be introduced as an instrument with martial value. As fuchen is a soft weapon, its practice is unique as it uses softness instead of hardness in its application. Fuchen uses splitting, wrapping, and sweeping as its major methods of attack. It also utilizes technique from both the straightsword and broadsword. Its movements are broad and smooth and also using the walking from Baguazhang and snake-like movement.
Horsetail Whip (Fuchen)
Wudang Straightswords (Jian)
Broadsword (Dan Dao)
Of the weapons the staff has the longest tradition in Chinese history as it was a weapon used in primitive society. It was also the earliest weapon used in warfare. Many different lineages of wushu have created different staff forms and styles. Each with its own unique characteristics and techniques.
Wudang Eight Immortals Staff takes its movements and applications from characteristic movements of the Eight Immortals of Daoism and combines them with different Wudang training techniques and fighting application. The Eight Immortals Staff using many traditional staff techniques and also implements nimble and confusing drunken movements.
Staff (Gun)
Monk Spade (Fang Bian Chan)
The spear using techniques from ancient “lance” combat and is considered the “king of the weapons”. It is considered the king of weapons because in warfare it was always the most powerful weapon to fight with. It is fast and full of unpredictable changes, often considered impossible to guard against. It is one of the hardest weapons to become proficient in.
Spear (qiang)
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Last Updated:2014.9.20
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