The staff is the origin of all weapons. Its movements are simple, however highly effective in combat. It has a long range and can be used against armed as well as against unarmed opponents. The staff serves extremely well to keep the opponent at distance. In a fight against any given weapon, the staff is never at a disadvantage.

It features various applications such as striking, sweeping away the opponent's feet, pinching with its tip and many more. It rotates in the practitioner's hands and is in constant motion.

The broadsword belongs to the oldest of the Chinese weapons. It first appeared on the battlefields during the Spring and Autumn Period (Chunqiu) and later during the Warring States Period (Zhanguo). While the straight sword (Jian) was the nobility's preferred weapon, the broadsword was mainly used by warriors and soldiers.

The blade is slightly curved and has one sharp and one dull edge. The weapon is wielded in circular movements closely around neck and body. So strikes use the momentum of the whole body and have a great impact. The broadsword is used mainly for hacking and cutting, not so much for stabbing.

There is a large variety of broadswords. In its most common version the blade resembles the shape of a willow leaf (Liuye Dao).

In China, the spear is regarded as the "King of Weapons". Due to its uncomplicated production it used to be the most common weapon on ancient battlefields. Typical characteristics of the Chinese spear are the leaf-shaped blade and the tassel of red-dyed horse hair attached to it. The tassle's purpose was to confuse the opponent and to prevent blood from running down the shaft, thus making it slippery.

The spear is a long-range weapon designed mainly for thrusts with the blade. Blocking techniques are executed similarly to those with the staff. Apart from that, attacks can be deflected by means of horizontal or diagonal circular movements.

The double-edged blade is typical for the straightsword. It is the most complex and difficult of weapons in the Chinese martial arts. A Chinese saying goes: "For mastering the broadsword one needs 100 days; but for mastering the straightsword even 10,000 days may not be enough." In contrast to the broadsword, techniques are not performed with great force and the variety of techniques is much greater. Due to the double-edged blade, changes in direction can be performed a lot quicker and without as much force as needed with the broadsword.

Learning the sword form needs high skills. The footwork is complex and continuous twists of the body require a lot of training. The right handling has the sword lying almost weightlessly in the practitioner's hand. Wielded by an expert, it is an effective and dangerous weapon.

Nowadays there are about 40 different variations of this weapon which was originally designed for the fight on horseback. It dates back to General Guan Yu who lived during the Three Kingdoms Period (220 – 280). The famous "Green Dragon Crescent Blade" dates from him. The halberd was the officers' weapon and status symbol.

The Guan Dao in its original form was very heavy with a cast-iron blade the shape of a crescent. The "Green Dragon Crescent Blade" of General Guan Yu weighed nearly 50 kg. The sharp blade allows similar actions as the broadsword. Its back has sharp tips with a tassel (the Chuifeng). Like the tassel on the spear, its purpose is to confuse the opponent. The shaft is made of hard wood. On the opposite end there is a metal spike which can be used as a weapon but which also serves as a counterweight for the heavy blade.

Due to its size and weight, the guan dao must be wielded with extremely high precision. Otherwise it cannot hit its target with the necessary force and speed and one risks loosing balance.

A lighter version often used in Kung Fu forms is the pu dao.

This weapon has its origins in the Warring States Period (770 - 221 BCE). The hooks were used to cut the horses' legs or to lift the riders out of their saddles. In the course of the centuries, their shape has changed many times before today's shape finally developed.

The hooks serve for catching the opponent's weapon and to disarm him. The ground tip of the hook can pointedly injure the opponent. The handle of the hook swords are protected by a blade the shape of a crescent, which can be used for attacks, too.

Generally the blades are wielded parallel to each other. One sword neutralises the adversary's weapon while the other one attacks at the same time.

In ancient China, travelling monks often carried spades with them. Thus they could perform their pious duty towards the dead by burying them. Apart from that, the heavy spade was a handy weapon for defence against armed robbers. The crescent-shaped blade on the opposite end was added later. It serves as a counterweight for balancing the weapon and to increase its effectiveness.

The spade is a versatile weapon for various techniques of defence and attack. Due to its size and weight it, too, must be wielded precisely to ensure that it hits its target fast and forcefully.

The Damo Cane is one of the less known weapons. It resembles a walking cane used by older people. The crutch is very versatile and offers a wide range of applications. It can be whirled fast in the hands and around the body. Many techniques known from the staff can be applied here, too. Its hammer-shaped handle can be used for striking, blocking attacks or disarming the opponent.