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Other blog posts in my Square Formation series:
Square formation of Xu Lun — EXTRA (Patron-only content)
20 February 2019
Patron only: Square formation of Xu Lun (許論) — EXTRA: Contingency formation
This blog post is exclusive to my Patrons and can be accessed here. If you like my work so far, please support me via Patreon!
28 January 2019
Huo Qiu (火毬)
Huo Qiu (火毬, lit. 'Fire ball') was a type of primitive incendiary trebuchet ammunition made of paper, bamboo basketry, or even clay. Developed in the eleventh century, Huo Qiu was one of the earliest gunpowder weapons in the world (along with gunpowder-based fire arrows and early rockets), predating even the fire lance.
At the time of its invention, the Chinese had yet to perfect the formula for explosive gunpowder, and the fuse would not be invented for another century. As a result, the Huo Qiu could only burn but not explode, and it lacked a burning fuse. Instead, an iron awl was used to ignite the bomb (by poking a red hot awl into the ball). Huo Qiu was usually flung by a trebuchet, although some versions could be thrown by hand or launched from a sling.
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| A straight awl (top) and hook awl (bottom) used to ignite Huo Qiu. From 'Wu Jing Zong Yao (《武經總要》)'. |
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