Among the famous "Eighteen Weapons of Martial Arts" in ancient China, there is a lesser-known but fascinating weapon called the Zhua (挝). The Zhua is a unique cold weapon with a distinctive shape. It first appeared during the late Zhou Dynasty and early Qin Dynasty. Like many traditional weapons, the Zhua was not initially made for combat. In its earliest form, it served a ceremonial role, often used in military parades and rituals. Only after later modifications did it become a practical battlefield weapon.
The earliest Zhua was made entirely of metal, consisting of a long shaft and a claw-shaped head resembling a beast's paw or a human hand. The tips of the claws were sharp, much like spear points, and could be deadly in close combat. The Zhua was considered a heavy weapon, similar in weight to battle axes, and could be as long as four meters. Ancient texts describe it as a weapon reserved for the strongest and most courageous warriors. It was mainly used to hack, thrust, hook, or slash.
Although the original combat techniques for the Zhua have been lost to time, it's believed that later hammer and polearm fighting methods were influenced by its use. Some say that modern techniques for axes or spears can be used to simulate how the Zhua was once handled.
Over time, the Zhua evolved into three main types: long weapons, short weapons, and soft (flexible) weapons—each with its own distinct characteristics.
The long Zhua was the earliest version and was originally used for ceremonial purposes before being adopted in warfare. One notable variation was the grappling spear, which featured a spearhead flanked by rows of sharp hooks—usually around twenty in total. These hooks made it especially lethal in battle. Historical records from the Song and Ming Dynasties mention the use of this weapon.
One of the most famous warriors to wield a Zhua was Li Cunxiao, a legendary general at the end of the Tang Dynasty. His weapon was a long Zhua known as the "Biyan Zhua." Known for his unmatched strength and skill, Li was so admired that an old Chinese saying goes, “No king greater than Xiang Yu, no strength greater than the Hegemon-King, no general greater than Li, and no fist greater than Jin.” Those curious about Chinese military legends should definitely look him up.
Short Zhui were typically used in pairs and resembled scaled-down versions of the long Zhua. They were around one meter in length, light and easy to wield, but still capable of causing severe damage. A pair of short Zhua is currently housed in the Dalian Martial Arts Culture Museum. These weapons were shaped like human hands in a clawing gesture, and their strikes were said to tear flesh with ease.
Interestingly, their appearance is quite familiar—they look like an aggressive, weaponized version of a back scratcher. Despite their compact size, they were brutal tools in close combat.
The soft or flexible type, often called the Flying Zhua, had an even more unusual design. It consisted of two heavy metal claws connected by a long rope. This weapon was used as a throwing tool in ancient times, mainly to strike enemies on horseback or to catch fleeing opponents.
The Flying Zhua was typically used like a hidden weapon. Soldiers would swing and throw it with great force, aiming to entangle the enemy or their weapons. Once the claws latched onto armor, clothing, or flesh, the user would pull the rope back, preventing the enemy from escaping. It functioned somewhat like a medieval grappling device and was mainly used in pursuit scenarios.
Although the Zhua is rarely mentioned in ancient records, we do find references to it. In the Old Book of Tang, Empress Wu Zetian once said, “During the time of Emperor Taizong, there was a strong and wild horse that no one could control. I, then a palace maid, told him I could tame it—but I would need three tools: an iron whip, an iron Zhua, and a dagger. If the whip didn't work, I'd strike its head with the Zhua. If that still didn't work, I'd cut its throat.”
This quote shows that the Zhua was still a known weapon during the Tang Dynasty. Its decline likely began after the Tang and Song periods as the battlefield evolved.
In Chinese history, many things like the Zhua faded away over time—systems, customs, tools, and weapons that no longer suited the era. This kind of change isn’t a tragedy; it’s simply the natural result of progress. Some things evolve and blend with new cultural contexts, while others disappear, leaving only vague traces behind. But even so, there will always be those who remember them.
The Zhua was also known as Gao in certain records. Some versions of the weapon existed as early as the Spring and Autumn Period. According to the Ming Dynasty’s Five Miscellaneous Chronicles, the Zhua was one of the eighteen traditional weapons and was made entirely of iron.
One variation, called the Pen Zhua, resembled a human hand holding a writing brush. Many people today confuse the Pen Zhua with the judge’s pen (pan guan bi) due to their similar appearance. But the Pen Zhua, even as a short weapon, still had claw-like features and was much more aggressive in nature.
Another version, called the Golden Dragon Zhua, had a long pole with a claw-shaped head and was often around two to three meters long.
Finally, the Flying Zhua, as described in Ming general Mao Yuanyi’s Wubei Zhi (Treatise on Military Preparedness), was made of solid iron with movable claws. It could be thrown with a rope and would grasp onto its target with crushing force.
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