"The Eighteen Weapons" are the general term for the traditional Chinese weapons. Each one of the Eighteen Weapons types developed various kinds of similar weapons. The family of the sword, pronounced as dao in Chinese, for example, includes jiuhuandao, yanlingdao, chunciudao, jhanmadao, kanshandao, cinglongyanyuedao, sanjianliangrendao, dadao, just to name a few. The martial arts forms of using them are also very different. Each weapon has developed its particular ways, according to its characteristics, such as the ways of using the one-blade sword, dao, emphasize on how to cut, chip and split. The ways for the two-blade sword, jian, are how to stab, slice and pick. The lances are for piercing, and the shields are for blocking. Altogether the skills to use these weapons are cutting, chipping, picking, stabbing, blocking, shielding, blowing, striking, pulling, piercing, throwing, shooting, etc.

       Although these eighteen weapons can be divided into two groups, the nine long weapons, in Chinese are dao, ciang, gun, yue, cha, dang, gou, shuo, ji, and the nine short weapons, dao, jian, bian, gao, guai, fu, bang, chui, chu. Such information is inadequate to make a useful classification. This web site, after careful consideration, has collected more material about the weapons and makes a detailed catalog dividing the weapons into eight sections, listed below. Some of these ancient Chinese weapons, especially the concealed weapons and the strange weapons are from the wusia novels. However they are based on the real ancient weapons.

       There are wusia novels using weapons' names as their title, either a real weapon or one invented by the novelists. This situation is not uncommon, because weapons are the essential tools in wusia novels.

       Below are examples of the novels, which use weapons as their titles. The swords, dao and jian, are very commonly used, and other weapons are the bow, gong, the spear, ciang, the cudgel, gun, the dart, biao, the feather arrow, ling, the hoop, huan, the chain, suo, and the weaponless fighting, the fist, cyuan, and the palm, jhang. For example, there are Shusan Jiansia Jhuan by Huanjhu Loujhu; Gu Long's various books including Wanhua Sijian Lu, Duocing Jianke Wucingjian, Liusing Hudie Jian, Langzih Kuaidao, Tianya Mingyue Dao, Fongyun Diyi Dao, Yuanyue Wandao, Feidao Youjian Feidao, Sisie E, and the seven-weapon series including Changsheng Jian, Kongcyue Ling, Biyu Dao, Duocing Huan, Cyuan Tou, Libei Gou, Bawang Ciang; Jin Yong's books including Bisie Jian, Yitian Tulong Ji; Ni Kuang's work, Dubei Dao; Liang Yusheng's Guangling Jian, Yunhai Yugong Yuan; Wolong Sheng's Jinjian Men, Jiaosuo Fulong; Bai Yu's Shiher Jincian Biao, Dusha Jhang; Siao Yi's Jinggong Nyujie, Shiher Shencyuan; Cao Ruobing's Jiujiu Guiyuanjhang; and Ouyang Yunfong's Yaohua Longhugun.