Over time, various types of Korean spears have developed and evolved. The designs are similar to those of spears found elsewhere in Asia and the world, as much due to a process of

convergent evolution Convergent evolution is the independent evolution of similar features in species of different periods or epochs in time. Convergent evolution creates analogous structures that have similar form or function but were not present in the last com ...

as to external influence.

Types of Korean spears

Jangchang The Jangchang, literally ''long spear'', is a Korean weapon first described in the 16th century martial arts manual, Muyejebo. The weapon was preferably made from the wood of the yew tree, but other types of wood could be used as well, such as o ...

: This long

spear A spear is a pole weapon consisting of a shaft, usually of wood, with a pointed head. The head may be simply the sharpened end of the shaft itself, as is the case with fire hardened spears, or it may be made of a more durable material fasten ...

was usually about 10 feet in length with a 4-inch blade on the end. It was used for throwing or just plowing through the enemy with long reach. *

Jukjangchang The jukjangchang, literally ''bamboo long spear'', is a Korean weapon. The jukjangchang is first mentioned in the Muyesinbo The ''Muyesinbo'' (or ''Muyeshinbo'', meaning "new compendium of martial arts") is a Korean martial arts manual pub ...

: This spear was longer, about 20 feet long, and was made of bamboo. It was used for even greater distances than the regular jangchang. Although they weren't always quick, they were used in groups to keep many enemies at a distance. (see also

pike Pike, Pikes or The Pike may refer to: Fish * Blue pike or blue walleye, an extinct color morph of the yellow walleye ''Sander vitreus'' * Ctenoluciidae, the "pike characins", some species of which are commonly known as pikes * ''Esox'', genus of ...

) *

Gichang The is a Korean weapon which is first described in the Muyesinbo, a Korean martial arts manual published in 1759. It later also found its way into the Muyedobotongji (1791). The weapon is a spear with a flag attached to the pole. The is also ...

: This type of spear was about 7 feet long and had a flag near the end to distract enemies. The blade was larger than the jukjangchang. *

Dangpa Dangpa, or dang pa, is the Korean name for a Ranseur (three-pronged trident-like spear) first described in the ''Muyejebo'', a Korean martial arts manual of the Joseon Dynasty (published 1610). Types There were several types of dangpa, such as ...

: The main advantage of the Dangpa was that the user could attack someone from a longer distance, was effective against medium swords, a good anti-cavalry weapon, and the ability to strike with heavy damage. The disadvantages were that, like most spears, the Dangpa was not as fast as a skilled swordsman, could not be thrown, and was heavier than other spears. (see also

Trident A trident is a three- pronged spear. It is used for spear fishing and historically as a polearm. The trident is the weapon of Poseidon, or Neptune, the God of the Sea in classical mythology. The trident may occasionally be held by other marine ...

) *

Nangseon The ''langxian'' was a branched, multi-tipped spear with blades attached to the branches. The blades could be dipped in poison. The ''langxian'' was a weapon well suited for defense, as it would be difficult for an opponent to assault the wielder ...

: This was a multiple-tipped bamboo spear. It was about 25 feet long and has many other tips and blades branching from it. About half of it was blades and the other half was just the handle of the spear. It was designed to deceive enemies into thinking it was a tree. The blades were steel and often poisoned, so that the slightest cut would mortally wound the opponent. * Galgorichang: This was a hook spear that was used as an anti-cavalry weapon. It was about 3 yards long and it had a hook like blade on the side of it; somewhat like a scythe, but with a shorter blade. (see also

Guisarme A guisarme (sometimes gisarme, giserne or bisarme) is a pole weapon used in Europe primarily between 1000 and 1400. Its origin is likely Germanic, from the Old High German , literally "weeding iron". Like many medieval polearms, the exact early f ...

) * Topjang: This was a spear that had a blade with a flat top and saw teeth. "Topjang" literally means 'Saw Spear'. * Neolbjakchang: Literally means 'wide spear'. This spear was called the wide spear because of its wide blade. The cutting edges weren't on the sides, nor was it a stabbing weapon. It was meant to cut with the top portion of the metal. It was rounded on top and sharpened with precision. The blade faced the opponent when being used. (see also

Monk's Spade A monk's spade (; also, ), also called a Shaolin Spade, is a Chinese pole weapon consisting of a long pole with a flat spade-like blade on one end and a smaller crescent shaped blade on the other. Neither blade was designed to be sharpened. In ol ...

) * Dajichang: This spear had 2-4 heads and was used only for thrusting. * Sabarichang: This spear had 3 tips but they were in a tripod formation. * Yangjimochang: This spear had a long blade and with a large sword-guard. It was used to trap swords in their defense. * Dongyemochang: This spear was the largest spear ever made in Korea. It was about 9 yards long. It is questioned if there were at least 2-3 people using it at once or if it was used by one great man. The translation literally is 'Very Long and Great Spear'.

Types of Korean spears

See also