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WABUKAN Arsenal · Other blades · China

Wind-and-fire wheels

A pair of flat metal rings about 38 cm across with flame-shaped blades, held by a padded grip; associated mainly with baguazhang.

Wind-and-fire wheels
Wind-and-fire wheels WABUKAN illustration

Also known as

fēnghuǒlún 風火輪 (wind-and-fire wheels)

Origin and history

Wind-and-fire wheels are melee weapons used in pairs and associated with Chinese martial arts, mainly baguazhang. The name comes from legend: in the novel Fengshen Yanyi (Investiture of the Gods), the Immortal Taiyi gave Nezha a wind wheel and a fire wheel that he stood on, while chanting incantations, as a magic vehicle.

Martial arts that use it

Baguazhang

Construction

Each wheel is a flat metal ring about 38 cm (15 in) in diameter. One quarter of the ring is a padded grip with a cross-guard; the other three quarters carry protruding flame-styled blades.

Basic techniques

Training

Short-blade training starts with trainers made of wood, aluminium or rubber. Students drill angles of attack, grips (forward and reverse), checking the opponent’s arm and footwork, then flow drills with a partner. Live blades are kept for solo forms by experienced practitioners, if at all.

Safety

Use training knives for all partner work and eye protection for fast drills. Never mix live and training blades in the same session, store blades sheathed and out of reach of children.

Legality (general information)

Swords, knives and other edged weapons are regulated very differently from country to country (and sometimes from region to region): owning one at home is often allowed, while carrying it in public, buying it under a certain age or importing it may be restricted or banned. Practitioners usually transport them cased, out of reach and straight between home and dojo. This is general information, not legal advice: check the law where you live.

Did you know?

In the legend the wheels are a vehicle, not a weapon: Nezha rides on them.

More weapons

Bagh nakh (tiger claw) Emeici (Emei piercers) Sai Kama Deer horn knives Karambit

Sources

Original WABUKAN text, written from these cross-checked sources (facts, not sentences).

  1. Wikipedia — Wind-and-fire wheels