Guan dao or Kwan Dao
The Guan Dao is a Chinese pole weapon that was first developed by the God of War, Guan Yu back in the Han Dynasty of the 3rd century. The Guan Dao has been used for centuries in war and the martial arts. Known in Chinese as reclining moon blade, it can also be referred to as the Spring Autumn Great Knife and Green Dragon Crescent-moon Blade.
Guan Dao translates into the knife of Guan (the God of War).
What is the Guan Dao?
The Guan Dao is a long wooden or metal pole (typically over 5 feet long) that has a ferocious curved and flat blade on the end, typically with a pointed end. On the dull side of the blade, there is a spike. It can be decorated or plain, and is quite heavy. In fact, some weigh close to 90kg. Therefore, handling the weapon requires great upper body strength and a wide open space, as it is often swung about quickly and smoothly in a way that is believed to mimic how Guan Yu once used it.
What are the Uses of The Guan Dao?
The Guan Dao can be used for stabbing, slicing, hooking and smacking opponents, as well as to block attacks. It is traditionally used as a weapon for those on horseback; as a result, the spike of the Guan Dao is used to make opponents lose their balance and dismount them. Martial artists in Kung Fu of Shaolin origins will find several forms that feature the Guan Dao.