Tai Chi Halberd
The Tai Chi Halberd or guandao (sometimes spelt kwandao or guan dao) is composed of a long rigid wooden or metal shaft, topped by a large curved cutting blade at the head and a sharp metal counter weight at the back end. The blade has a hook in the back, for trapping an opponent's weapon and a veil cloth is attached to the spike to confuse opponents. The guandao is said to have been invented by the general Guan Yu in the 3rd century.
His weapon, the mythical Green Crescent Blade could only be wielded by him, the possessor of enormous strength. However, some military historians cast doubt on the myth of the weapon's origin, saying it is unlikely that Guan Yu ever used a guandao at all, as the weapon only became popular some 400 years later.
Due to the advanced training required to wield the huge weapon effectively, it was never standard issue military equipment. A normal civilian would have neither the strength nor the skill to use it in combat, making a spear much more cost effective for infantry. As such, the Guandao became the reserve of officers and elite warriors who embellished their halberds as symbol of martial status.
The Guandao is a popular weapon in Chen style Tai Chi Chuan, the most martial of all the styles. Its weight (ranging from 2 to 10 kg) makes it an excellent tool for overall strength conditioning. The Guan Do's impressive reach (5 or 6 feet of pole alone) makes it ideal for keeping enemies at bay. Tai Chi forms focus on trapping and engaging an enemy at long range and the blade can be used for both cutting and thrusting. Due to its considerable size and the difficulty in wielding it, the Guandao is one of the most impressive Tai Chi weapons forms to watch.