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List of magical weapons

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This is a list of magical weapons from fiction and folklore. A magical weapon is one that is directly described as such in the work, or one that has obvious fantastic or supernatural qualities.

In folklore

Further information: List of mythological objects § Weapons
  • Sword Kladenets – a fabulous magic sword in some Old Russian fairy tales.[citation needed]
  • Dyrnwyn – Sword of Rhydderch Hael in Welsh legend; When drawn, it blazed with fire; if drawn by a worthy man, the fire would help him in his cause, but its fire would burn the man who drew it for an unworthy purpose.
  • Hrunting and Nægling – Beowulf's magical swords.
  • Shamshir-e Zomorrodnegar – Legendary Persian sword.
  • Skofnung – sword of legendary Danish king Hrólf Kraki.
  • Thunderbolt – as wielded by various mythological deities such as Zeus.
  • Vajra – A composite weapon made from the bones of a willing sage used by Indra.
  • Gan Jiang and Mo Ye - Legendary Chinese twin swords named after their creators.
  • Sharur - the enchanted talking mace of Ninurta, Sumerian god
  • Ruyi Jingu Bang - Magical staff wielded by the Monkey King Sun Wukong in Chinese classic Journey to the West
  • The Jem of Kukulkan - the Mayan Serpents Jem has the ability to control all elements. Like fire, wind, and ice, though the Serpent only has the wind jem.

Indian mythology

  • Arrow of Brahma - The arrow given by the sage Agastya to Rama (seventh avatar of Vishnu) and was used to kill Ravana.
  • Asi - A legendary divine lotus sword created in ancient times as the first weapon to destroy the enemies of the gods and restore dharma.
  • Astra - Divine celestial weapons with devastating impacts which could be invoked by reciting mantras and forming hand signs.
  • Chandrahas - In the Hindu epic Ramayana, the Chandrahas sword is an indestructible sword that Lord Shiva gifts Ravana.
  • Chentu - A horse whip which looks like a crooked stick, and is a typical attribute of Aiyanar, Krishna in his aspect as Rajagopala, and Shiva with Nandi.
  • Gada - A mace used by the Monkey God Hanuman.
  • Gandiva - An indestructible bow with a 100 strings created by Brahma and later used by Arjuna.
  • Halayudha - A plough used as a weapon by Balarama.
  • Kaladanda - the staff of Death is a special and lethal club used by the God Yama or God of Naraka or Hell in Hindu mythology. It was the ultimate weapon; once fired it would kill anybody before it no matter what boons he had to protect himself.
  • Kaumodaki - The Gada (mace) of the Hindu god Vishnu.
  • Kaundinya's bow - A magic bow wielded by the Brahman Kaundinya I, who used it to make the Naga princess Soma fall in love with him.
  • Khaṭvāṅga - In Hinduism, the god Shiva-Rudra carried the khatvāṅga as a staff weapon and are thus referred to as khatvāṅgīs.
  • Kodandam - Rama's bow.
  • Mace of Bhima - A club that was presented by Mayasura. It was a weapon of Danavas King Vrishaparva.
  • Nandaka - Nandaka or Nandaki is the sword of the Hindu god Vishnu.
  • Parashu - The parashu is the weapon of the god Shiva who gave it to Parashurama, sixth avatar of Vishnu, whose name means "Rama with the axe".
  • Pasha - A supernatural weapon depicted in Hindu iconography. Hindu deities such as Ganesha, Yama and Varuna are depicted with the pasha in their hands. The pasha is used to bind a foe's arms and legs or for hunting animals.
  • Pattayudha - The divine sword of Lord Virabhadra, commander of Lord Shiva's armies.
  • Pinaka - The great bow of Shiva, arrows fired from the bow could not be intercepted.
  • Sharanga - The bow of the Hindu God Vishnu.
  • Sharkha - The bow of Krishna, eight avatar of Vishnu.
  • Shiva Dhanush (Shiva's bow) - A bow given by Shiva to Janaka and broken by Rama during Sita's swayamvara.
  • Sudarshana Chakra - The legendary discus of Vishnu, which cannot be stopped by anyone, except by Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva. It has tremendous occult and spiritual powers, by which it is able to destroy anything.
  • Teen Baan - Shiva gave Barbarika three infallible arrows (Teen Baan). A single arrow was enough to destroy all opponents in any war, and it would then return to Barbarika's quiver.
  • Trident of Madhu - It was given as a boon by Shiva to Madhu, a Rakshasa. Then he gave it to his son Lavanasura. It was a very powerful weapon. It destroys anyone who directly fights with its master.
  • Trishula - The trident of Shiva, stylized by some as used as a missile weapon and often included a crossed stabilizer to facilitate flight when thrown. Considered to be the most powerful weapon.
  • Vajra - A lightning thunderbolt wielded by Indra, the god of rain and thunderstorms.
  • Vasavi Shakti - The magical dart of Indra. Used by Karna against Ghatotkacha in the Mahabharata war.
  • Vel - Vel is a divine javelin (spear) associated with the Hindu war god Karthikeya.
  • Vijaya - The bow of Karna, one of the greatest hero of the Hindu epic Mahabharata.The bow of Indra is also called Vijaya.

Islamic mythology

Norse mythology

  • Angurvadal (Stream of Anguish) - A magical sword of Viking, and later Frithiof. The sword was inscribed with Runic letters, which blazed in time of war, but gleamed with a dim light in time of peace.
  • Dáinsleif - King Högni's sword that gave wounds that never healed and could not be unsheathed without killing a man.
  • Dragvandil - The sword of Egill Skallagrímsson.
  • Forseti's axe (also Fosite's axe) - A golden battle axe that Forseti (or Fosite in the Frisian mythology) used to save the old sages of the wreck and then threw the axe to an island to bring forth a source of water.
  • Freyr's sword - A magic sword which fought on its own. It might be Lævateinn. Some sources also refer to it as Sumarbrand.
  • Gambanteinn - A sword which appears in two poems in the Poetic Edda
  • Gram – Sword of the hero Sigurd from Norse mythology, also known as Nothung in the Ring cycle
  • Gríðarvölr - A magical staff given to Thor by Gríðr so he could kill the giant Geirröd.
  • Gungnir – Odin's spear created by the dwarf Dvalinn. The spear is described as being so well balanced that it could strike any target, no matter the skill or strength of the wielder.
  • Hǫfuð - The sword of Heimdallr, the guardian of Bifröst.
  • Hrotti – Hrotti is a sword in the Völsung cycle (Fáfnismál, Völsunga saga, 20). It was a part of Fáfnir's treasure, which Sigurðr took after he slew the dragon.
  • Ichaival - A bow possessed by Odin. Another source said it was came from Ydalir, the home of the god Ullr. It possessed the power of each pull of just one arrow will release ten arrows.
  • Lævateinn – A weapon mentioned in Fjölsvinnsmál by Sophus Bugge. Wielded by the monster, Surt.
  • Legbiter - The sword of Magnus III of Norway.
  • Mistilteinn - The magical sword of Prainn, the draugr, later owned by Hromundr Gripsson and it could never go blunt.
  • Mjölnir – The hammer of Thor. It was invulnerable and when thrown it would return to the user's hand.
  • Quern-biter - Sword of Haakon I of Norway and his follower, Thoralf Skolinson the Strong, said to be sharp enough to cut through quernstones.
  • Ridill (also Refil) - Sword of the dwarf Regin.
  • Skofnung - The legendary sword of Danish king Hrólf Kraki. It was renowned for supernatural sharpness and hardness, as well as for being imbued with the spirits of the king's twelve faithful berserker bodyguards.
  • Tyrfing – A sword made by dwarves in the Elder Edda.
  • Freyr's Sword - Freyr's sword that was so good that it fought by itself. Given to Skirnir in exchange for courting the Giantess Gerd on his behalf.

Irish mythology

  • Fragarach – Sword of the god of the seas Manannan mac Lir and later Lugh in Irish legend; it was said to be a weapon that no armour could stop.
  • Caladbolg – Two-handed sword of Fergus mac Róich in Irish legend; said to make a circle like an arc of rainbow when swung, and to have the power to cleave the tops from the hills.
  • Moralltach (Great Fury) – a highly lethal sword belonging to Aengus, which left no stroke or blow unfinished at the first trial. Aoegus eventually gave to his foster-son Diarmuid Ua Duibhne along with a second sword of less power, the Beagalltach (Little Fury).
  • Gáe Buide and Gáe Derg – Spears of Diarmuid Ua Duibhne, given to him by Aengus. The yellow spear Gáe Buide was said to inflict wounds from which none could recover; the red spear Gáe Derg can destroy any magic that touches its head.
  • Claíomh Solais – Sword of Nuada, the king of the gods in Irish mythology; in legend, the sword glowed with the light of the sun and was irresistible in battle, having the power to cut his enemies in half.
  • Gáe Bulg – Spear of Cúchulainn; made from the bones of a sea monster.
  • Spear of Lugh – Spear of Lugh, the champion of the gods in Irish mythology.

Arthurian legend

The Song of Roland

Japanese folklore

  • Ame-no-nuhoko – Japanese halberd which formed the first island.
  • Kusanagi – Legendary Japanese sword.
  • Tonbogiri – One of three legendary spears created by the famed swordsmith Masazane. It is said to be so sharp that a dragonfly landing on the edge would be instantly cut in half. This is the origin of the name.
  • Honjo Masamune - A legendary and very real Japanese sword (with alleged mythical abilities), created by Japan's greatest swordsmith, Goro Nyudo Masamune. The Masamune sword is by far the most referenced Japanese sword in popular fiction, ranging through books, movies and computer games.

Spanish folklore

In novels

The works of J. R. R. Tolkien

See also: List of Middle-earth weapons and armour
  • Anglachel – One of the two swords forged by Eöl the Dark Elf out of a black iron meteorite. It is said to be able to cleave any iron from within the earth. Anglachel appears to be a sentient sword that speaks on occasion and has some will of its own.[4]
  • Glamdring, Orcrist and Sting – High-Elven swords; glow with a blue or white flame when Orcs are near. These are obtained during the events of The Hobbit and are carried respectively by Gandalf, Thorin Oakenshield and Bilbo Baggins. Sting is later passed onto the latter's nephew Frodo Baggins.[5]
  • Morgul-blade – Magical poisoned dagger wielded by Nazgûl.[5]
  • Caudimordax – This sword cannot be sheathed when a dragon comes within five miles of its bearer's presence.[6]
  • Andúril/Narsil – The sword of Elendil that was used by Isildur to cut the One Ring from Sauron (Narsil) reforged several ages later by Elrond (Andúril); the reforging of the shards was foretold as a sign of the coming of the true King of Gondor.
  • Aiglos – The spear with which the Elven king Gil-galad went to war.

The works of Michael Moorcock

In comics and graphic novels

In role-playing games

Dungeons & Dragons

Dungeons & Dragons is a fantasy role-playing game with many unique magical weapons.

In video and computer games

See also: Final Fantasy weapons and armor

Magic weapons are a staple of fantasy video games.

  • The Silver Sword of Gith - Neverwinter Nights 2. A legendary shattered blade whose shards are collected and eventually reforged to defeat the King of Shadows.
  • Dagger of Time – Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time.
  • Master Sword – Legend of Zelda series. Used by Link after being drawn from a stone altar. Said to be untouchable by evil.
  • Phantom Sword - Legend of Zelda series. A sword created by the ocean king. Used to kill phantoms and to finish off Bellum.
  • Lokomo Sword - Legend of Zelda series. Able to stun phantoms without tears of light.
  • Goddess Sword - Legend of Zelda series. It was a gift by the goddess Hylia to the chosen hero. A spirit named Fi resides within it. This blade later transformed into the Master Sword.
  • Four Sword - Legend of Zelda series. Has the power to split the wielder in four.
  • Falchion - Fire Emblem series. Used by many heroes such as Marth, Alm, and Chrom. It was created from the dragon Naga's fang.
  • Ragnell - Fire Emblem Tellius series. Used by Ike. A sword blessed by the goddess Ashera.
  • Alondite - Fire Emblem Tellius series. Used by the Dark Knight. This is the other half of a pair to Ragnell. Blessed by the goddess Ashera.
  • Siegfried - Fire Emblem Fates. A glowing red blade, personal weapon of Prince Xander of Nohr. One of the five legendary weapons forged by the Rainbow Sage.
  • Brynhildr - Fire Emblem Fates. An ancient tome, personal weapon of Prince Leo of Nohr. One of the five legendary weapons forged by the Rainbow Sage.
  • Fujin Yumi - Fire Emblem Fates. A holy bow with a bow string made of light and shoots out light arrows, personal weapon of Prince Takumi of Hoshido. One of the five legendary weapons forged by the Rainbow Sage.
  • Rajinto - Fire Emblem Fates. A lightning covered katana, personal weapon of Prince Ryoma of Hoshido. One of the five legendary weapons forged by the Rainbow Sage.
  • Yato - Fire Emblem Fates. A holy blade that can change shapes in the presence of the other four legendary weapons to create the Seal of Flame. Personal weapon to Prince Corrin of Nohr and Hoshido, crowned King of Valla.
  • Soul Reaver – Legacy of Kain series.
  • Soul Calibur and Soul Edge - Soul series.
  • Monado - Xenoblade Chronicles Mechanical sword created by the god Zanza to destroy the titan Mechonis. The sword is initially incapable of cutting people and can only damage robots and animals but later gains the ability to damage humanoid characters.
  • Keyblade - Kingdom Hearts series.
  • Crystalis – Crystalis. The titular sword is formed from four elemental blades.[7]
  • Ashbringer[8] and Frostmourne[9] – Warcraft series.
  • Blades of Chaos - God of War. These broad-bladed swords are seared into the flesh of the protagonist, Kratos, with a pair of chains wrapped his arms. This allows him to perform whip-like maneuvers.[10]
  • Sword of Aeons - Fable.
  • Avo's Tear - Fable. An ancient sword said to be as powerful as the legendary Sword of Aeons. This Sword was imbued with extraordinary power when the Guild Mage Solcius used it in a spell to close a large vortex.
  • Arondight - Fate/Zero Lancelot's sword, counterpart to Excalibur, crafted by the fairies (妖精, Yousei).
  • Umbra - The Elder Scrolls. An immensely powerful, black-bladed sword that is occasionally given to mortals by the immortal Daedric prankster, Clavicus Vile. It can only pass from one mortal to another if the inheritor kills the former owner in single combat.
  • Sword of Hisou (Sword of Scarlet Perceptions) - Touhou Project Tenshi Hinanai's sword, one that only Celestials can use. When paired with a keystone, she can manipulate the sky, people, and the earth.

In cartoons

Magical weapons by type

Other legendary weapons

Some weapons in fiction do not, strictly speaking, have magical properties, but are forged with materials or methods that are unique in the context of the story.

References

  1. ^ a b Cantar de mio Cid. Edition of Alberto Montaner. Ed. Galaxia Gutenberg, 2007.
  2. ^ Florus. Epitomae, II.
  3. ^ Charles Kingsley (2007). "How Hereward was Outlawed". Hereward the Wake (Vol I). Wildside Press. p. 67. ISBN 978-1-4344-9091-9. ...one of those magic weapons, brought, men know not how, out of the magic East, which were hereditary in many a Norse family, and sung of in many a Norse saga.
  4. ^ The Silmarillion, J. R. R. Tolkien
  5. ^ a b The Lord of the Rings, J. R. R. Tolkien
  6. ^ Farmer Giles of Ham, J. R. R. Tolkien
  7. ^ Lopez, Miguel (Jun 17, 2000). "Crystalis Review for Game Boy Color". Gamespot.
  8. ^ Ziebart, Alex (Aug 14, 2008). "Know Your Lore: The Ashbringer". joystiq.
  9. ^ Rossi, Matthew (Mar 14, 2008). "Behold Frostmourne!". Joystiq.
  10. ^ Navarro, Alex (Mar 21, 2005). "God of War Review for PlayStation 2". Gamespot.
  11. ^ Hendershot, Heather (1998). "Toys, TV and Toaster Pictures". Saturday morning censors: television regulation before the V-chip. Duke University Press. p. 97.
  12. ^ "Did Guan Yu Actually Use the Green Dragon Crescent Blade?". Cultural China. Retrieved 2010-02-22.
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