Gou Lian (鈎鐮)

Drawing of a Gou Lian, from 'Ji Xiao Xin Shu (《紀效新書》)'.

Gou Lian (鈎鐮, lit. 'Hook sickle') is a type of long polearm designed for naval use. It is basically a sharpened hook mounted on a one zhang five chi bamboo pole, comparable in length to some Chang Qiang (長鎗). Gou Lian was used to hook enemy warship or cut off enemy cordage, as well as scooping up dead bodies from the water. Due to its softer bamboo shaft and heavier weight of the hook, it is unsuitable for land use.

A variant with wooden shaft, known as Ti Gou (提鈎, lit. 'Lifting hook'), was used in siege defence.

This weapon is related to (and sometimes its name is used interchangeably with) Gou Lian Qiang (鈎鐮鎗), although its hook is much larger.


Bing Lu (《兵錄》) variant

Variant design of Gou Lian, from 'Bing Lu (《兵錄》)'.

Gou Lian from Bing Lu has an additional hook and a spike. It also replace its bamboo shaft with a (presumably) shorter and more sturdy shaft, and thus can be used on land.

It bears some resemblance to European fauchard.