Chinese swords 中国刀剑

The opposition of "straight" and "curved": the Chinese swords (中国刀剑)

Five thousand years past, the function of swords has experienced such a transmigrate.   Thereinto, the sword almost dominated the vast majority of human warfare.  The produce and development of swords are referred to the stimulate of martial need, and also the promote of science technology. In modern times, the function of the swords emerges as artwork even more.  

Chinese swords have a long history in China. Stone swords were used in prehistoric times. Bronze swords have been traced back to the bronze daggers of the Western Zhou period, but did not come into common use until the Eastern Zhou period. Bronze long swords suddenly appeared during the mid-third century BC. Later swords were made of iron or steel. These metals were wrought, never cast.  Swords commonly reached a length of 70-100 cm, although longer swords have been found.  Chinese group all swords into two types, Jian(剑) and Dao(刀). Jian are dual edged and Dao are single edged.

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剑 pinyin: jiàn    sword: a straight shape, represents a character of justice

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jian

the way of use: to puncture

下图: 越王勾践剑 （Sword of GOU Jian）

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sword_of_Goujian

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刀 pinyin: dāo    sword: a curved shape, always held by some bad person, a hint of wickedness.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dao_(sword)

the way of use: to chop

明代斩马长刀 (long sword of Ming Dynasty)

长刀 (long sword)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_swords