T'ai Chi Ch'uan has many weapons forms.

The four most commonly seen are the straight sword (jian), the broadsword (dao), the staff and the spear.

Tai Chi Sword

The straight sword is a flexible blade which is not able to meet force with force, instead the blade is used to deflect and redirect blows before delivering a slash or stab of its own. This nature of the weapon lends itself naturally to the principles of Tai Chi. It is so hard to master that it is often called the "King of Weapons" and perhaps for that reason was a weapon of choice for famous generals and scholars.

In fact there are two type of straight sword. The bigger heavier sword was called the martial sword (Wu Jian) or male sword (Xiong Jian) and had a sharp tip. The lighter shorter sword was called the scholar sword (Wen Jian) or female sword (Ci Jian) and had a slightly rounded tip. The martial sword was originally designed to be taken into battle but was not as practical in peace time, so the scholar sword was used instead as an everyday defence weapon. Traditionally every official and aristocrat would wear a sword to court.

Mind &Body in Harmony

One of the best reasons to study any tai chi sword form is to bring the mind and body into harmony. To correctly use the sword, the student must make it an extension of his body.

It is essential to extend the mind through the tip of the weapon. Energy travels from the ground to the feet, after which it's guided by the waist to the sword. There should be a smooth flow of power from the feet to the tip of the blade. The body—not the arm—moves the blade. Moving only the arm shows a lack of connection and understanding of tai chi principles.

The modern student has many reasons to learn the swords of' tai chi chuan. It is a developmental exercise teaching relaxation and extension of energy. The sword practice can be a tool for developing harmony in one's mind and body. It is a method for exercising the upper body. The form can be a way to improve empty-hand tai chi skills. And, perhaps most importantly, they can add a new dimension to one's tai chi training by linking the student with the history and culture of the art.

Tai Chi Saber

The Chinese broadsword is one of the most common and popular weapons developed in China and makes numerous appearances in the country’s history and legends. TSANG HER is the God directly associated with the broadsword. The name TSANG HER translates to  “arrives and kills whatever it touches”. This nickname gives a good indication of the great military power associated with the saber.

Broadswords once were the preferred weapons of the Chinese military. In the 1940s, the saber was used in the anti-Japanese war in northeast China. The broadsword has existed in China for thousands of years. There are long, short and very short variations of the weapon. The prototype of the modern-day saber is the long-handled broadsword, similar to the short but much heavier weapon.

Probably the most dangerous weapon ever invented, this form is also one of the greatest healing forms ever invented.  With fa-jing movements, leaps and jumps, this form will balance you internally as well as balance out the amount of minerals and chemicals in your body. For fitness, there is nothing finer as it works every muscle and sinew in the body over only a five minute period.

Tai Chi Staff

The Chinese word GUN refers to a long staff used in martial arts. It is known as one of the major 4 weapons. It is sometimes referred to as “The Grandfather of all Weapons.”

 The types of gun normally used nowadays for exercises and competitions are the bailangan and the nangun. Traditionally, the gun is made out of a material called wax wood, rather than bamboo as many people might think. Wax wood is strong, yet flexible, making it ideal as a material for the gun. The gun is fashioned with one thick end as the base and a thinner end near the tip, and is cut to be about the same height as the user. Today, more modern versions may be purchased made with metal and rubber parts.

Tai Chi Spear

Chinese cavalry used long spears to pick off ground troops and likewise the infantry sought to dismount horsemen with the same weapon. As such, spear work forms a part of most martial arts training and Tai Chi Chuan is no exception.

The quiang is composed of a flexible wooden shaft, often made from wax wood and a sharp metal point fringed by a generous tassle, usually red, at the end. The tassle serves to provide a visual distraction, making it harder for an opponent to grab the spear shaft.

The flexible shaft means the spear can be wielded to impressive effect and makes the spear shaft less likely to snap upon impact. Also, a flexible spear is less predictable than a rigid one in real combat situations. In Tai Chi forms, the quiang is thrust, spun and swept in a dazzling display of martial arts skill.