The Dao is a type of sword--specifically, a saber--known in Chinese culture as the "General of All Weapons." This title is one of four titles given to the major Chinese weapons, the others being the "Gentleman of Weapons," the "Grandfather of All Weapons," and the "King of All Weapons." It is generally used to describe any single-edged saber. As such, there are many varieties of dao--the following are among the most common.
Niuweidao:
The Niuweidao is perhaps the quintessential Chinese sword. It has a distinctive tip which many would associate with the ninjas and kung fu of popular culture. With that in mind, it is interesting to note that the Niuweidao is historically a civilian weapon--it has never been standard issue for warriors or soldiers. Niuwei means "oxtail," a name given due to the shape of the blade.
Liuye Dao:
The Liuye Dao is a type of dao that was used as a sidearm for both cavalry and infantry during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has a modest curve which reduces thrusting ability while increasing the power of cuts and slashes. It is among the most common types of daos. Liuye means "willow leaf," a name given because of the blade's graceful curve.
Miao Dao:
The Miao Dao is a two-handed saber with a narrow blade and a long hilt. It was used by some Chinese troops during the second Sino-Japanese War. Although the Miao Dao is technically a modern weapon, this name is sometimes applied to some older sabers such as the Chang Dao.
Miao means "sprout," a fitting name as the blade of the Miao Dao just seems to sprout straight up from the hilt.
Zhanmadao:
The Zhanmadao was a brutal two-handed saber designed to cut through the legs of cavalry horses. After bringing the horse down, a warrior would simply slash or jab the fallen horse's rider. It was primarily used by Chinese warriors in the 12th century though variants and offshoots of the sword still exist today. Appropriately and disturbingly, Zhanma means "horse chopping."
Podao:
The Podao was a weapon similar to the Zhanmadao in that it was also designed to cut through the legs of cavalry horses in battle. It had a slightly curved blade and a long handle, allowing a warrior to easily reach his opponent's horse. Today, though, the pudao has an unsharpened edge and is used only in martial arts training.
Wodao:
The Wodao was a heavy sword with a curved blade that likely packed a powerful punch. It was used primarily by warriors during the Ming Dynasty. Although the Wodao is a Chinese weapon, the Japanese Samurai were also skilled with the sword. This may be how the saber got its name as Wo was a term referring to Japanese people.
Nandao:
The Nandao is a modern two-handed sword with a straight, single-edge blade. The Nandao is used primarily in martial arts and is not known to have been used in combat. While itt is not believed to have any historical significance, some of its design elements, such as the shape of the blade, can be found in ancient Chinese weapons. Nan means "man" or "male."
Duan Dao:
The Duan Dao was a short but heavy saber. It had a moderately curved, single-edged blade. This sword's short length made it easy to carry, a feature that both warriors and civilians enjoyed. The Duan Dao, however, was best suited for close combat making it best suited for only the most skilled fighters.
Niuweidao:
The Niuweidao is perhaps the quintessential Chinese sword. It has a distinctive tip which many would associate with the ninjas and kung fu of popular culture. With that in mind, it is interesting to note that the Niuweidao is historically a civilian weapon--it has never been standard issue for warriors or soldiers. Niuwei means "oxtail," a name given due to the shape of the blade.
Liuye Dao:
The Liuye Dao is a type of dao that was used as a sidearm for both cavalry and infantry during the Ming and Qing dynasties. It has a modest curve which reduces thrusting ability while increasing the power of cuts and slashes. It is among the most common types of daos. Liuye means "willow leaf," a name given because of the blade's graceful curve.
Miao Dao:
The Miao Dao is a two-handed saber with a narrow blade and a long hilt. It was used by some Chinese troops during the second Sino-Japanese War. Although the Miao Dao is technically a modern weapon, this name is sometimes applied to some older sabers such as the Chang Dao.
Miao means "sprout," a fitting name as the blade of the Miao Dao just seems to sprout straight up from the hilt.
Zhanmadao:
The Zhanmadao was a brutal two-handed saber designed to cut through the legs of cavalry horses. After bringing the horse down, a warrior would simply slash or jab the fallen horse's rider. It was primarily used by Chinese warriors in the 12th century though variants and offshoots of the sword still exist today. Appropriately and disturbingly, Zhanma means "horse chopping."
Podao:
The Podao was a weapon similar to the Zhanmadao in that it was also designed to cut through the legs of cavalry horses in battle. It had a slightly curved blade and a long handle, allowing a warrior to easily reach his opponent's horse. Today, though, the pudao has an unsharpened edge and is used only in martial arts training.
Wodao:
The Wodao was a heavy sword with a curved blade that likely packed a powerful punch. It was used primarily by warriors during the Ming Dynasty. Although the Wodao is a Chinese weapon, the Japanese Samurai were also skilled with the sword. This may be how the saber got its name as Wo was a term referring to Japanese people.
Nandao:
The Nandao is a modern two-handed sword with a straight, single-edge blade. The Nandao is used primarily in martial arts and is not known to have been used in combat. While itt is not believed to have any historical significance, some of its design elements, such as the shape of the blade, can be found in ancient Chinese weapons. Nan means "man" or "male."
Duan Dao:
The Duan Dao was a short but heavy saber. It had a moderately curved, single-edged blade. This sword's short length made it easy to carry, a feature that both warriors and civilians enjoyed. The Duan Dao, however, was best suited for close combat making it best suited for only the most skilled fighters.