This article is about the asian melee weapon. for the bicycle repair tool, see the Wikibook article Bicycle_Repair/Chain_whip

The chain whip is a weapon used in some Asian martial arts including modern and traditional wushu. It consists of several metal rods, joined end-to-end by metal rings, with a handle at one end and a hard metal dart on the other. This dart is used for slashing or piercing an opponent. In modern wushu, the dart at the end is covered with a flag. The flag helps in balancing the whip, as well as promote a safe practice. Although covered, each chain section is still a dangerous weapon, as the whip travels at high speeds so even a light hit can cause a serious wound.

It is heavy but flexible, so it has multiple uses. It can deliver blows, restrict an opponent's movement, strike around blocks and other obstacles as well as deflecting blows from other weapons. Typical movements for the whip consist of twirling, flicking, and catching. In wushu forms, the chain whip is occasionally seen coupled with the broadsword, or another chain whip, thus procuring a double chain whip form, or a broadsword/chain whip form. In higher levels of Wushu difficulty, the chain whip can be seen thrown in the air and caught, flicked around the neck, coupled with jump kicks and acrobatic movements, or flung around underneath the performer while the performer is on the floor. Rapidly wrapping and unwrapping the length of the chain around various parts of the body, accelerating the unwrapping by twisting the selected body part, adds momentum to strikes with the dart end as well.

The whip chain can be folded and hidden from view, making it an easy weapon to carry.

A less expensive and lighter version of this weapon using a length of rope instead of chain is known as a rope dart.

Whip variations

• Jiujiebian - nine section whip
• Qijiebian - seven section whip
• Samjitbin or plum flower - three section whip.

Chinese martial arts terms | Chinese mêlée weapons