Arrows of the Ming Dynasty

Archery had always been one of the most important cultural aspects of China. Considered one of the Six Gentlemanly Arts in Confucian philosophy, archery played important roles in military, hunting, communication, and entertainment. China was also the first to create formalised ceremonial archery in Asia (which later influenced/inspired similar customs in Korea and Japan), and one of the last to gave up archery as a serious military weapon.

Naturally, Chinese people's high regard of archery led to the development of various specialised arrows suitable for different purposes. By Ming period, there was already a wide variety of arrows in use, with a peculiar focus on anti-horse arrow.

Bow-launched arrow

Drawing of a Dian Tong Jian (highlighted), from 'San Cai Tu Hui (《三才圖會》)'.

• Dian Tong Jian (點銅箭, lit. 'Bronze head arrow'): A general term applicable to any arrow with a bronze arrowhead.

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Gong She Huo Zhe Liu Jian (弓射火柘榴箭)

Drawing of a Gong She Huo Zhe Liu Jian, from 'Wu Bei Zhi (《武備志》)'.

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Liang Guang Yao Jian (兩廣藥箭)

Drawing of a crossbow with poisoned quarrel, from 'Chou Hai Tu Bian (《籌海圖編》)'.

Liang Guang Yao Jian (兩廣藥箭, lit. 'Poisoned arrow from Liangguang') was a type of poisoned arrow commonly found in Guangdong and Guangxi region. As simply smearing the arrowhead with poison often proved ineffective in warfare because the poison could be easily wiped off if the arrow hit its target through his clothes, Liang Guang Yao Jian had its arrowhead specifically drilled hollow and filled with poison.

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Bian Jian (邊箭)

MINOR UPDATE OCTOBER 9, 2024

Drawing of a Bian Jian, from 'Bing Lu (《兵錄》)'.

A Bian Jian (邊箭, lit. 'Border arrow' or 'Side arrow'), formerly known as Tong Jian (筒箭, lit. 'Tube-arrow') during Tang period, was a special short arrow that had a long history of use in China. Designed to be used in conjunction with an arrow-guide/overdraw device, the tiny arrow could achieve a much higher velocity and range compared to an ordinary arrow, and therefore difficult to spot and even harder to dodge. Furthermore, it could not be reused by the enemy unless they brought arrow-guides of their own.

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