What is a tang weapon?

The tang (镋) is a traditional Chinese pole weapon with a three-pronged or crescent-shaped blade, similar to a trident or halberd, used in historical warfare.

Is 镋 commonly used in modern Chinese?

No, this character is quite rare and primarily appears in historical or martial arts contexts. Most modern Chinese speakers would be unfamiliar with it.

Would 镋 be suitable for a given name?

Generally not recommended due to its rarity and strong martial associations. It could work for a fictional character or pen name with martial themes.

镋Tone 3

tǎng ｜ 15 strokes ｜ radical:

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镋 · tǎng

A long-handled weapon with a three-pronged or crescent-shaped blade at the end, similar to a trident or halberd, used in ancient Chinese warfare and martial arts.

A long-handled weapon with a three-pronged or crescent-shaped

Usage highlights

Tang weaponLongThreeCrescentTang techniquesIron tang

Synonyms

叉— fork (general term for forked weapons)
戟— halberd (another type of pole weapon)

Usage & contexts

Examples

The martial artist demonstrated techniques with the tang (镋).
This ancient weapon is called a tang (镋).
The tang (镋) was effective against cavalry.

Collocations

Tang weapon(镋)
Long-handled tang(长镋)
Three-pronged tang(三叉镋)
Crescent-moon tang(月牙镋)
Tang techniques(镋法)
Iron tang(铁镋)

Idioms

None specifically for this character

Cultural background

FAQ

The tang was primarily a military weapon used from the Ming Dynasty onward.
It was particularly effective against cavalry due to its long reach and multiple prongs.
The weapon appears in Chinese martial arts traditions and historical military manuals.
Less common than other polearms like the spear (枪) or halberd (戟).

镋 (tǎng) - A long-handled weapon with a three-pronged or crescent-shaped