![]() Also known as the lián nǔ (simplified Chinese: 连弩 traditional Chinese: 連弩 literally: "continuous crossbow"), the invention is commonly attributed to the strategist Zhuge Liang (181–234 AD) of the Three Kingdoms period, but those found in Tomb 47 at Qinjiazui, Hubei Province have been dated to the 4th century BC. The bow string consisted of animal sinew twisted into a cord of suitable strength. The Chinese repeating crossbow (Chinese: 諸葛弩 pinyin: zhūgě nǔ Wade–Giles: chu-ke nu literally: "Zhuge crossbow" sometimes romanized as "chu-ko-nu") is a device with a simple design. Although the ancient crossbows from China and Europe differed, the modern versions are generally similar.Chinese repeating crossbow (non-recurve version - ones used for war would be recurved). In modern China, crossbows are typically used in sports and licensed hunting. ConclusionĬrossbows have existed for centuries in Chinese culture and have evolved both in design and usage. In contrast, the European crossbow had a rolling nut lock. Historians have also pointed out that the trigger mechanism of these crossbows differed, with the Chinese crossbow having a vertical trigger lock. In this sense, ancient Chinese crossbows were more powerful and efficient than ancient European crossbows. This resulted in the Chinese crossbows firing with the same energy as the European crossbows, with almost half the loading force. The difference between the ancient Chinese and ancient European crossbows was that the Chinese version had a long power stroke and lower draw force, while the European version had a short power stroke and high draw force. The uses of the crossbow were similar for both the Chinese and the Europeans. Like in ancient China, crossbows were popular weapons in Europe during Medieval times. Until rifles and gunpowder were invented, crossbows were powerful and crucial weapons among the Chinese. During this time, mass production of crossbows began. Historians believe that by 209 BCE, 50,000 crossbowmen in the Chinese military used bronze crossbows during battles. When was the crossbow first used in China?Īccording to archaeology, the evidence that suggests the use of crossbows in China date back to 400 BCE. During the Song Dynasty, the countermarch technique of the crossbow was developed further, but its usage continued to decline with the rise of more powerful weapons. The crossbow’s popularity decreased after the Han Dynasty mainly because of the emergence of more powerful and resilient heavy cavalry. History doesn’t specify the changes, but the Chinese believe the Zhuge Crossbow was either semi-automatic or could shoot several shots at a go. He made adjustments that made the crossbow fire faster and farther during the Three Kingdoms era. Ancient Chinese crossbows were crucial during the Warring State period in China up until the end of the Han Dynasty.Īlthough this technology existed before, Zhuge Liang often reserves praise for its ingenuity because he improved how it works. The exact date when the ancient Chinese crossbow was invented isn’t clear, but historians believe it was sometime between the 7 th and 5 th centuries BC. Ch’in’s approach to design ensured that the enemies couldn’t copy the Chinese crossbow. Ch’in designed the crossbow’s mechanism so complex that other civilizations found it almost impossible to comprehend how the weapon worked. Ancient Chinese crossbow history Who invented the Chinese crossbow?įrom a Chinese text from around 200BC, the invention of the Chinese crossbow is credited to one Mr. Women could use these as well, and this variation wasn’t deemed suitable for military use as they weren’t as powerful. Over the years, with the invention of gunpowder, crossbows ceased to be used in Chinese wars.īesides war, the less complicated Chinese crossbows were used domestically for hunting and protecting the household from robbers. Thanks to the trigger mechanism of the ancient Chinese crossbows, the Chinese military always had the upper hand in the war, and they did their best to keep this mechanism a secret. ![]() However, the Chinese military ended up using the crossbow in warfare and battle, and with the different shapes and sizes, this weapon proved deadly. The idea was that a war wouldn’t occur if one of the participants appeared with crossbows, considered powerful weapons at the time. The original intended use of the ancient Chinese crossbow was as a peacemaking device to calm the battle during the Zhou Dynasty. What was the crossbow used for in ancient China?
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