Halberd

The Halberd or Jǐ (戟) is an ancient weapon that has adapted much over the course of Chinese History. I use the term Halberd because of precedents in English translation, however, I don't truly think that the word "Halberd" accurately describes this weapon. The term halberd has also been used to describe other Chinese weapons which makes it even more confusing.

In the Shang and Zhou dynasties, it began as a combination of the Dagger-axe or Gē (戈) and Ancient Spear (矛). With both implements attached to the same pole-shaft, it allowed for the techniques of both weapons to be used.

Several variants of this weapon also existed over the centuries. The original version of the Halberd was gradually phased out in favor of these other versions. Some even added multiple dagger-axes to the poleshaft. Others tried to fuse the 2 parts more fully into a single weapon.  One example is the Bǔ Xíng Jǐ  (卜形戟).

several old variations on the Halberd or Jǐ (戟)

In the Song and Ming dynasties the Halberd assumed its final shape. Instead of a Dagger-axe, a crescent shaped blade was mounted to one, or both sides of the spearhead. It also often had a horse-hair tassel attached behind the spearhead.

A single-sided Halberd with horse-hair tassel

Lǚ Bù (呂布), one of the famous warriors in the Chinese classic novel "Romance of the 3 Kingdoms" is depicted carrying a unique version of this weapon called the Fāng Tiān Huà Jǐ (方天畫戟). However no one actually knows exactly what his particular weapon looked like, but it is visually represented by the later, double-sided crescent-shaped blade type.

double-sided halberd

The crescent shaped blade type is the kind of Halberd that is used by modern Chinese martial arts.