The meteor hammer is a soft weapon consisting of a metal hammerhead attached to one or both ends of a long rope. It belongs to the category of rope-based concealed weapons.
Single Meteor Hammer (单流星): A single hammerhead is tied to a rope about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long.
Double Meteor Hammer (双流星): Two hammerheads are tied to a rope about 4.5 feet (1.35 meters) long.
The meteor hammer is a soft weapon consisting of a metal hammerhead attached to one or both ends of a long rope. It belongs to the category of rope-based concealed weapons.
Single Meteor Hammer (单流星): A single hammerhead is tied to a rope about 5 feet (1.5 meters) long.
Double Meteor Hammer (双流星): Two hammerheads are tied to a rope about 4.5 feet (1.35 meters) long.
The hammerhead can be shaped like a gourd, a multi-edged polyhedron, a spiked ball, or a sphere, typically the size of a duck egg. The end of the hammerhead features a "elephant trunk eye" (象鼻眼), used to connect a metal ring.
In modern martial arts practice, the double meteor hammer is primarily held by the middle of the rope, with techniques including spinning, lifting, single-handed花法, chest and back花法, waist缠绕, neck绕, and抛接. These花法are similar to those of staff and大刀花.
The meteor hammer consists of three parts:
Hammerhead (锤身): The size and weight of the hammer depend on the practitioner's strength. The hammerhead's end has an "elephant trunk hole" (象鼻孔) to attach a metal ring.
Rope (软索): The rope is made from a mixture of silk and human hair or from yarn. It is about the thickness of a finger, ranging in length from 15 feet (4.5 meters) to 20 feet (6 meters).
Handle (把手): The handle is made from hard bamboo and is bound to the end of the rope. It is about 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) long and 2-3 inches (5-7.5 cm) in diameter. The handle is primarily used by beginners and can be discarded once the practitioner masters the weapon.
When not in use, the rope is folded into four sections or stored in the sleeve. When needed, it can be quickly drawn and put into action.
The Shaolin iron meteor hammer has a rope length of 16 to 18 feet (4.8 to 5.4 meters). It is one of the soft weapons in Shaolin martial arts, known for its portability and versatility. It can be used as a rope during travel and is easy to conceal. However, it is also one of the most challenging soft weapons to master. Unlike short or long weapons, the meteor hammer requires prolonged and刻苦的训练 to wield it like a staff or spear in a straight line while maintaining the power of a heavy hammer.
The entire set of movements involves花法to transition and connect, emphasizing缠绕,点, and other techniques.
The chain hammer is another type of soft hammer, consisting of a hammerhead and a chain. The hammerhead is shaped like a small gourd and is typically made of copper or iron. The chain is about 3.5 feet (1.05 meters) long, with a ring at the end that can be held in the hand.
The wolf tooth hammer is forged from pure iron and weighs between 3 to 8 catties (approximately 4.5 to 12 pounds). Its design varies according to the practitioner's strength. The hammer is circular, divided into front and back sections. The front resembles wolf teeth, with several sharp iron nails (about 1 inch long) pointing outward. The back resembles a meteor hammer, without nails. The bottom of the hammerhead has an "elephant trunk hole" (象鼻孔) to attach a rope.
The rope is fitted with a heavy-weight wrist strap (千斤套腕), and the hammer is stored in a sturdy leather pouch. The hammer ring is left exposed for easy grip.
The double hammer meteor consists of two meteor hammers connected by a chain, with silk ribbons decorating the ends of the hammerheads.
The Shaolin two-headed meteor hammer has a rope length of 9 to 18 feet (2.7 to 5.4 meters), classified as a "straight-line hammer" (走线锤).
This article provides a comprehensive overview of the meteor hammer, its variations, and its significance in Shaolin martial arts. If you're interested in traditional Chinese weaponry or martial arts, this is a must-read!
