Jian
/dʒiːˈɑːn/noun
A straight, double-edged Chinese sword traditionally used in martial arts and ceremonial practice.
Did you know?The jian has been associated with Chinese scholars, generals, Daoist immortals, and legendary figures, giving it both martial and symbolic power in Chinese culture.
Etymological Timeline
Old Chinese
Old Chinese
劍
“A sword; the character is reconstructed with uncertain pronunciation.”
Middle Chinese
Middle Chinese
劍
“A sword or double-edged blade; pronounced approximately *kæ̀m or *kjam in scholarly reconstructions.”
19th–20th Century
Mandarin
jiàn
“A straight, double-edged sword, distinguished from the curved dao.”
20th Century
Wade–Giles/Pinyin
chien / jiàn
“Romanized forms used in English-language writing about Chinese weapons and martial arts.”
Modern English
English
jian
“A Chinese straight sword, especially one used in martial arts or historical descriptions.”