Dian Wei's Twin Halberds典韦双戟

The twin short halberds wielded by Dian Wei, Cao Cao's fearsome bodyguard. Each weighed over forty jin, requiring extraordinary strength to use.

Contents

Dian Wei’s Twin Halberds (典韦双戟 diǎn wéi shuāng jǐ) were the signature weapons of Dian Wei, Cao Cao’s personal bodyguard. Each halberd reportedly weighed over forty jin (approximately 20 kg), requiring Dian Wei’s extraordinary strength to wield. At the Battle of Wancheng in 197, his halberds were stolen before the attack. Dian Wei fought bare-handed and with improvised weapons, killing over a dozen attackers before dying, allowing Cao Cao to escape.

References

  • Chen Shou, Records of the Three Kingdoms (三国志)
  • Luo Guanzhong, Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义)
  • Sima Guang, Zizhi Tongjian (资治通鉴)
  • de Crespigny, Rafe. A Biographical Dictionary of Later Han to the Three Kingdoms