Rope dart

Dating back to ancient China, the rope dart (shéng biāo) was a concealed weapon—a metal spike tied to a silk rope, used for tripping, stabbing, or entangling enemies. Favored by assassins and rebels (e.g., the Shaolin monks), it required precision spinning techniques. Its versatility made it ideal for surprise attacks in close quarters or horseback chases. Today, it survives in wushu as a dazzling performance art, showcasing fluid, acrobatic throws.