Qiang

From Karate, Kungfu, Wrestling, Mixed Fighting Information Source

Qiang is the Chinese spear, and is known as one of the four major weapons of Wushu. It has the lenght of 7 feet to 13 feet, and is usually mde from waxwood which makes flexible and strong. It commonly seen as having a leaf shaped blade accompaniesd by a red horse-hair tassle which helps its weilder confuse his/her opponents when doing a high-speed maneuver. In addition, the tassle also helps in absorbing the blood to make the wooden shaft less slippery. It is more commonly used by the Chinese infantry in the past.

Many Chinese martial arts feature spear training in their curriculum. The conditioning provided by spear technique is seen as invaluable and in many styles it is the first weapons training introduced to students. Moreover, some schools of empty handed fighting in China credit spear technique as their foundation, notably Xingyiquan and Bajiquan.

When the spear routine is performed well, the martial roots of the spear form become obvious. Few movements are done slowly. The overall tempo is forceful, direct and rapid, with an unpredictability liked to thunder and lighting. Utilizing numerous explosive releases of power or fajing, the form takes just two minutes or so to complete, despite its length. Within Chinese wushu circles, the spear considered to be an advanced weapon. This is reflected in it being recognized as the "King of weapons".