heavenly horse CavaLry Han Dao (141 BC–220 AD)

Han Dao, appeared around 100 BC,  was the grandfather of all Chinese Dao and its classic design became a standard from Mid Han Dynasty to the 3 Kingdom period. 

Cavalry Han Dao was one of the main weapon used in the Han-Xiongnu war, a historically significant weapon and formidable piece to add to your sword collection.

Heavenly Horse is a 1:1 high fidelity recreation of an 2000 year old calvary Han Dao.  The weight, dimension, POB, handling is precisely the same as the original.  Light,  long, slender and powerful.  You will experience the exact  handling of a Cavalry Han Dao newly forged 2000 years ago.  

Heavenly Horse features the classical round pommel ring and subtle inward curve in the blade,  with an small outward lift at the tip.  An unique signature shape of  Han Dao.  

There is a shallow groove that runs along the whole length of the blade.  In addition to making the Dao even lighter and swifter.  The shallow groove creates beautiful reflection of light at different viewing angle.  

Heavenly Horse  has thick full tang with solid wood handle, beautifully wrapped in red silk cord.  

Blade

Blade only weight:  580 g (1 lb. 4oz)

Sword only weight:  approx. 600 g (1 lb. 5 oz)

Blade Length:      94 cm (37")

Handle Length:     13 cm (5.1")

Ring Length:        3.8 cm (1.5")

Total Length:    110.8 cm (43.6")

Gradual tapering

Width at hand guard: 25 mm,  Width at tip: 20 mm   

Thickness: 7 mm - 3 mm at the tip

Point of Balance: 25 cm (10") beyond hand guard

Blade cross section profile: triangular with slight ground

Blade length wide profile:  subtle inner curve at the middle of the blade and subtle upward tip.  

Folded pattern steel: 1065 carbon steel + T8 tungsten-cobalt-vanadium high-speed tool steel. 

Superior heat treatment:  Hardness 58 HRC.  Cut bamboo with ease.

Hand polish to smooth soft shine and sword sharp edge. 

Fittings

Solid high quality brass fittings.  

Scabbard

High quality painted Chinese Huali  (Dalbergia odorifera) scabbard.  

The scabbard is precision cut with chisel edges.  The cross section profile is trapezoid to tightly fit the triangular cross section of the blade.

Fit and finish

We perfected the fit and finish of our swords and the assembly is meticulously performed by our senior craft masters.  It takes one whole working day for a craftsman to assemble our swords.

These two elegant red horse heads could be modeled after the famous Ferghana horses, sometimes called ‘blood sweating horses ‘(汗血馬) or ‘heavenly horses’ in Chinese literature. This unique breed – now extinct– is believed to come from the ancient kingdom of Dayuan in the Ferghana valley (modern day Uzbekistan). According to legend, these fast, powerful horses– whose red color was thought to be caused by sweating blood—were bred from heavenly stock and could even carry the rider to immortality.

According to some stories, in the second century BCE Han dynasty the Chinese Emperor Wudi sent an envoy and gifts westward into the Ferghana valley, hoping to acquire some of the heavenly horses. The Dayuan ruler refused, and ultimately the Chinese invaded. The Chinese defeated the Dayuan, and thus Emperor Wudi came into possession of some ‘heavenly horses’, receiving a small number each year as tribute. 

What made these horses red?

There are a few theories concerning why the Ferghana horses to appeared to sweat blood. Some modern researchers believe that a parasite (the nematode, Parafilaria multipapillosaI), still common on the Central Asian steppe, is the cause. Others think that it is due to tiny blood vessels under the skin bursting after strenuous galloping and exercise. Blood would mix with the sweat around the horse’s neck, creating a pink foam.