Eight-Foot Serpent Spear

The Wild, Unstoppable Weapon of the Third Brother

In Luo Guanzhong’s (罗贯中, La Quán Trung) epic novel Romance of the Three Kingdoms (三国演义, Sān Guó Yǎn Yì, Tam Quốc Diễn Nghĩa), the three sworn brothers of the Peach Garden (桃园, Đào Viên) each carried a iconic weapon that mirrored their inner soul.

While Liu Bei (刘备, Lưu Bị) wielded the refined Dual Swords (双股剑, Song Cổ Kiếm) representing benevolence, and Guan Yu (关羽, Quan Vũ) carried the majestic Green Dragon Crescent Blade (青龙偃月刀, Thanh Long Yển Nguyệt Đao) symbolizing righteousness, Zhang Fei (张飞, Trương Phi) fought with the Eight-Foot Serpent Spear (丈八蛇矛, Zhàng Bā Shé Máo, Trượng Bát Xà Mâu). Also known as the Viper Spear or Serpent Halberd, this terrifying weapon reflected Zhang Fei’s explosive temper, ferocious courage, and wild martial power.

Origin and Forging in the Peach Garden

According to Chapter 1 of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, the Serpent Spear was forged in 184 AD alongside the weapons of Liu Bei and Guan Yu, right after the Oath of the Peach Garden (桃园三结义, Đào Viên Tam Kết Nghĩa).

When two wealthy horse merchants from Zhongshan (中山, Trung Sơn) presented the brothers with 1,000 catties of refined steel, Zhang Fei commissioned a local master blacksmith to craft a customized long polearm.

• Full Chinese Name: Zhàng Bā Shé Máo (丈八蛇矛).

• Length Specification: The name explicitly denotes its length: 1 Zhang and 8 Chi (丈八). In Han Dynasty measurements, this equaled approximately 1.8 zhang or around 4.25 meters (nearly 14 feet) in total length.

• The Forging Legend: Legend says that during the forging process, the blacksmith struggled to temper the steel for such an unusually long shaft. Zhang Fei, in a fit of fiery passion, poured raw spirit and heat into the forge, causing the molten steel to twist and curve like a striking viper before solidifying into its unique wavy shape.

Zhang Fei – 张飞 – Trương Phi

Physical Anatomy and Lethal Mechanics

Unlike standard straight-tipped cavalry spears (Qiāng / 枪), the Serpent Spear possessed a distinctive, menacing design engineered for brutal infantry and cavalry carnage:

• The S-Curved Serpent Blade: The spearhead was forged in the undulating shape of a slithering snake (Shé / 蛇) with double razor-sharp edges.

• Lethal Wound Profile: A standard spear makes a neat, circular puncture wound that can be bound quickly. The wavy blade of Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear caused wide, jagged, tearing lacerations that made wounds virtually impossible to stitch or clot on the battlefield.

• Versatility: The extra length and curved edges allowed Zhang Fei to use the weapon not only for long-range thrusting, but also for sweeping slashes, hooking enemy reins, and knocking riders off their saddles.

Legendary Exploits Under Zhang Fei

The Serpent Spear served as Zhang Fei’s primary weapon in his most celebrated martial triumphs throughout the Three Kingdoms era:

1. Three Heroes Battle Lu Bu (190 AD)

In Chapter 5, at the Battle of Hulao Pass (虎牢关之战), Zhang Fei rode out alone on his black steed to challenge the invincible Lu Bu (吕布, Lữ Bố). Thrusting his Serpent Spear with roaring fury, Zhang Fei fought Lu Bu’s Sky-Piercing Ji (方天画戟, Phương Thiên Họa Kích) for 50 consecutive bouts without a victor, marking one of the greatest duels in literary history.

2. The Thunderous Stand at Changban Bridge (208 AD)

In Chapter 42, during the Battle of Changban (长坂坡之战), Zhang Fei stood alone on Changban Bridge (长坂桥, Cầu Trường Bản) to cover Liu Bei’s retreat. Holding his Serpent Spear horizontally across his horse and glaring with wide, panther-like eyes, Zhang Fei unleashed a booming roar that echoed across the river.

Overwhelmed by his terrifying presence and the sight of his dripping Serpent Spear, Cao Cao’s (曹操, Tào Tháo) entire vanguard hesitated. Cao Cao’s general Xiahou Jie (夏侯杰, Hạ Hầu Kiệt) literally collapsed off his horse and died of a ruptured gallbladder out of sheer fright, forcing Cao Cao to order a full retreat.

3. Slaying Yan Yan and Defeating Ma Chao (214 AD)

• Capturing Yan Yan (严颜, Nghiêm Nhan): During the conquest of Yizhou (益州, Ích Châu), Zhang Fei used his Serpent Spear to disarm and capture the veteran commander Yan Yan alive, later winning his loyalty through chivalry.

• The Night Duel with Ma Chao (马超, Mã Siêu): At Jiameng Pass (葭萌关, Gia Manh Quan), Zhang Fei fought Ma Chao for over 220 bouts day and night. Zhang Fei’s Serpent Spear clashed repeatedly against Ma Chao’s spear in a battle that ended in mutual respect.

Summary of Profile Details

Historical Reality vs. Literary Fiction

• In History (Records of the Three Kingdoms / 三国志): Historical texts by Chen Shou (陈寿, Trần Thọ) confirm that Zhang Fei was an exceptionally powerful warrior capable of fighting “ten thousand men” (Wàn Rén Dích / 万人敌). However, the specific term Zhàng Bā Shé Máo does not appear in official Han Dynasty records.

• Historical Origin of the Serpent Spear: Weapons with serpentine, wavy blades (Shé Máo) actually originated during the Jin Dynasty (晋朝, 266–420 AD) and the Sixteen Kingdoms period, shortly after the Three Kingdoms era. Officers in Northern China used long serpentine spears on horseback to penetrate heavy cavalry mail.

• Literary Triumph: Luo Guanzhong retroactively assigned this exotic weapon to Zhang Fei in Romance of the Three Kingdoms. The wild, unpredictable curvature of the serpent blade provided a perfect visual metaphor for Zhang Fei’s explosive, untamable personality, creating an immortal iconic image alongside Guan Yu’s Crescent Blade.

For detailed historical records, archives, and official chronicles, explore Eight-Foot Serpent Spear on Wikipedia.