Rope dart

The rope dart (simplified Chinese: 绳镖; traditional Chinese: 繩鏢; pinyin: shéng biāo) is a Chinese weapon consisting of a long rope with a metal dart attached to one end. It is considered one of the flexible or "soft" weapons in Chinese martial arts, alongside the chain whip, meteor hammer, and three-section staff.

The dart itself is typically made of steel and can have various shapes, often featuring a sharp point for piercing, as well as barbs or a flag. The rope is usually made of durable material like hemp or nylon, and its length can vary depending on the user's preference and skill level, generally ranging from several meters to over ten meters.

The rope dart is used by whipping the dart around the body, entangling the opponent, or launching the dart to strike from a distance. Mastery requires considerable practice, as the weapon is notoriously difficult to control. It demands precision, coordination, and spatial awareness.

Historically, the rope dart was used for both combat and hunting. In martial arts, it is often used to disarm, entangle, or strike opponents from unexpected angles. The long range and unpredictable trajectory of the dart make it a challenging weapon to defend against.

The use of the rope dart is often incorporated into demonstrations and performances of Chinese martial arts. Due to its complexity and potential for self-injury, it is not commonly practiced in modern self-defense contexts.