jian

Jian, written 劍 in traditional Chinese and 剑 in simplified, refers to a straight, double-edged Chinese sword. It is one of the most enduring weapons in Chinese martial culture and is distinct from the dao, a curved, single-edged sword. The jian is widely used in Chinese martial arts and is often associated with scholars and refined technique; forms featuring the jian are central to taijiquan and many wushu routines.

Design and construction vary by period, but typical blades are straight and double-edged with a relatively flat cross-section. Classical jian blades were often forged from layered or pattern-welded steel and tempered for balance and resilience. The guard is usually modest, and the grip may be wood, metal, or wrapped cord; a tassel may hang from the pommel. A common size for sport or decorative jian places the blade roughly 60–90 cm long, with a total length around 70–110 cm and a weight near 0.8–1.5 kg. Modern training versions are lighter and standardized for sport use.

Historical records show the jian in use as early as the Spring and Autumn period (c. 770–476 BCE) and it remained prominent through subsequent dynasties, including the Han, Song, and Ming. In literature, art, and opera, the jian is portrayed as the weapon of virtuous, skilled swordsmen. Today it persists in martial arts practice, stage performance, and ceremonial contexts, with many schools teaching both traditional weapon handling and contemporary sport forms.

In addition to the weapon, Jian is also a Chinese given name and, less commonly, a surname. It can be written with various characters, such as 健 (healthy), 建 (to establish), or 剑/劍 (sword), and is used across Chinese-speaking communities.