Historically, Chinese swords are classified into two types, the jian and the dao. A Jian is a straight, double-edged sword mainly used for stabbing, and has been commonly translated into the English language as a longsword; while a dao is a single-edged sword mainly used for cutting, and has been translated as a saber or a "knife".
Jian of Yue king Zhezhi Yuyi
Sword of Helü of Wu
Late Spring and Autumn period spear and sword
Close up of sword pattern
The jian is a double-edged straight sword used during the last 2,500 years in China. The first Chinese sources that mention the jian date to the 7th century BCE, during the Spring and Autumn period; one of the earliest specimens being the Sword of Goujian. Historical one-handed versions have blades varying from 45 to 80 centimeters in length. The weight of an average sword of 70-centimetre (28-inch) blade-length would be in a range of approximately 700 to 900 grams. There are also larger two-handed versions used for training by many styles of Chinese martial arts.
Single-handed jian and scabbard of the 18th–19th century
An iron sword and two bronze swords from the Chinese Warring States period
Bronze jian of the Warring States period
Wushu jian pair event at the 10th All China games