100 Types of Swords from Korea by Era

Korea’s sword-making tradition stretches back millennia, shaped by evolving warfare, metallurgy, and cultural exchange with neighbouring China and Japan. From early bronze blades to ornate court swords of the Joseon dynasty, Korean swords reflect both practicality and refinement. This article explores 100 types of Korean swords, grouped by historical era and development, while also tracing the shifts in military doctrine, smithing techniques, and symbolic meaning across centuries.

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Era Overview: Bronze Age to Three Kingdoms (c. 1000 BCE – 668 CE)

This period saw the earliest Korean blades, typically cast in bronze and used in both ritual and combat. As ironworking spread from China, Korean smiths began producing longer, more durable swords. By the time of the Three Kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baekje, and Silla), swords became integral to both military campaigns and elite display.

Key Innovations:

• Bronze casting and decorative pommels
• Introduction of iron forging
• Regional variation in crossguards and scabbards
• Strong Chinese influence in early forms

Swords (Bronze Age to Three Kingdoms):

1. Bronze Dagger (단검)
2. Liaoning-type Bronze Sword
3. Ring-pommel Bronze Sword
4. Gilt-bronze Sword of Baekje
5. Straight Iron Sword (철검)
6. Triangular Tang Iron Sword
7. Ring-pommel Iron Sword
8. Silla Royal Sword
9. Curved Blade of Goguryeo Cavalry
10. Long-bladed Baekje Sword
11. Iron Shortsword of Gaya
12. Double-edged Bronze Blade
13. Inlaid Iron Sword
14. Ceremonial Gilt Sword (금도검)
15. Hwandudaedo (환두대도) – “Ring-pommel Sword”
16. Wolbyeongdae (월병대) – crescent motif hilt
17. Twin-ring Pommel Sword
18. Gold-inlaid Cavalry Sword
19. Baekje Iron Sabre
20. Korean-Style Jian (based on Chinese design)

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Era Overview: Unified Silla and Balhae (668–926)

The Silla unification of the peninsula brought a consolidation of sword types. Emphasis was placed on cavalry sabres, elegant detailing, and symbols of state power. Blades became more curved, with better steel tempering, influenced by Tang China and steppe warfare.

Key Innovations:

• Differential hardening techniques
• Curved blades for slashing cavalry use
• Advanced ornamentation in royal blades
• Emergence of standard military patterns

Swords (Unified Silla and Balhae):

21. Unified Silla Ring-pommel Sword
22. Balhae Cavalry Sword
23. Silla Bronze-Scabbard Sabre
24. Curved Iron Sword with Bone Grip
25. Jade-inlaid Court Sword
26. Long Iron Sabre with Ridge
27. Ornamented Officer Sword
28. Shallow-curved Silla Blade
29. Tang-influenced Command Sword
30. Gilt Ring-pommel with Phoenix Motif
31. Balhae Curved Saber
32. Silla Ceremonial Court Sabre
33. Engraved Battle Sword
34. Balhae Dual-purpose Blade
35. Mounted Archer Sword
36. Engraved Balhae Officer Sword
37. Twin-edged Falchion Style
38. Silver-lined Prestige Sword
39. Curved Balhae Hunting Sword
40. Royal Guard’s Ring-sword

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Era Overview: Goryeo Dynasty (918–1392)

During the Goryeo period, sword-making diversified again. Blades were primarily curved and single-edged, suitable for mounted and infantry use. Mongol invasions brought further innovation, leading to sabres that were shorter and more manoeuvrable. Swordsmithing became professionalised, with workshops producing blades for military units.

Key Innovations:

• Shortened curved sabres
• Mass production of standard military blades
• Mongol and Song Chinese influence
• Introduction of straight ceremonial swords

Swords (Goryeo):

41. Goryeo Curved Sword (고려도)
42. Mongol-style Cavalry Sabre
43. Goryeo Short Military Sword
44. Iron Commander’s Sword
45. Gilt Officer Sabre
46. Straight Silver-inlaid Sword
47. Mounted Sabre with Iron Scabbard
48. Buddhist Ritual Sword
49. Elite Guard’s Polished Blade
50. Goryeo Officer’s Twin Sword Set
51. Arming Sword with Bronze Pommel
52. Embossed Flat-blade Sword
53. Ritual Twin-curved Sword
54. Reinforced Sabre with Ridgeback
55. Iron Military-grade Blade
56. Mounted Archer’s Side Sword
57. Silverwork Ringed Hilt Sabre
58. Dao-style Curved Goryeo Sword
59. Ritual Blade for Temple Use
60. Gold-engraved Military Officer Sword

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Era Overview: Joseon Dynasty (1392–1897)

The Joseon era witnessed the refinement and codification of Korean sword use. Civil and military classes carried swords as signs of rank. The advent of manuals like the Muye Dobo Tongji formalised sword techniques. Blades were typically single-edged, curved, and highly standardised, with distinctions between military, ceremonial, and martial arts usage.

Key Innovations:

• Muye Dobo Tongji standardisation
• Ssangsudo and Hwandangdo forms
• Military-issue sabres (Byeongdo)
• Development of martial arts swords
• Use of high-carbon steel and differential quenching

Symbolic, Ritual, and Martial Blades of the Late Joseon

Key symbolic swords:

• Ingeom (인검) – “Sword of Man”: Representing human agency, this sword was believed to ward off evil when wielded with righteous intent. Often used in state rituals and Daoist practices.
• Samingeom (삼인검) – “Three Human Sword”: A powerful talismanic blade symbolising heaven, earth, and man. It was rarely used in battle but held spiritual significance in royal court ceremonies.
• Saingeom (사인검) – “Four Spirit Sword”: Inscribed with or representing the four directional guardian animals (Blue Dragon, White Tiger, Red Phoenix, Black Tortoise). Often associated with geomantic protection and elite Daoist rites.

These blades were not issued to soldiers but held within specific religious, courtly, or shamanic traditions. Their construction emphasised balance, fine engraving, and philosophical meaning over brute function.

Swords (Joseon):

61. Hwando (환도) – Standard Joseon curved sabre
62. Ssangsudo (쌍수도) – Two-handed battlefield sabre
63. Ingeom (인검) – Ritual “sword of man” used to repel evil
64. Samingeom (삼인검) – “Three human sword,” deeply spiritual and rare
65. Saingeom (사인검) – “Four guardian sword” tied to geomantic traditions
66. Byeongdo (병도) – Soldier’s military blade
67. Janggeom (장검) – Long, double-handed formal sword
68. Gyohaedo (교해도) – Blade used in coastal defence
69. Chilseong-geom (칠검) – Seven-star sword used in temple rituals
70. Muggeom (묵검) – Wooden sword for martial arts
71. Hoemudo (회무도) – Parade sabre for officers
72. Dangsangdo (당상도) – Military officer’s sabre
73. Udo (우도) – Martial art sabre for drills
74. Simgeom (심검) – Sword of meditation and spiritual focus
75. Bonggeom (봉검) – Phoenix sword reserved for commanders
76. Hoemudo (회무도) – Parade sabre
77. Yeomdo (염도) – Flame pattern sabre
78. Dojanggeom (도장검) – Sword used in sealing ceremonies
79. Seunggwan Geom (승관검) – Civil servant’s blade
80. Dangsangdo (당상도) – Officer’s issue sabre
81. Silgeom (실검) – Practical-use blade
82. Byeolun-Geom (별검) – Decorative side sword
83. Wolgeom (월검) – Moon-pattern sabre
84. Cheonggeom (청검) – Blue-decorated sabre
85. Hyeopdo (협도) – Martial long sabre
86. Baekgeom (백검) – White-blade formal sword
87. Nambyeongdo (남병도) – Southern military blade
88. Yonggeom (용검) – Imperial dragon sword
89. Udo (우도) – Martial arts practice sabre
90. Odo (오도) – Five-animal symbolic sword
91. Gukgeom (국검) – National defence sword
92. Bonggeom (봉검) – Phoenix sword for generals
93. Giseokdo (기석도) – Parade-only sword
94. Simgeom (심검) – Sword for spiritual training
95. Yanggeom (양검) – Paired martial swords
96. Sanggeom (상검) – Civilian court sword
97. Seodo (서도) – Western-guard sabre
98. Jeonggeom (정검) – Rectitude symbol sword
99. Gwanchado (관차도) – Sword of office
100. Cheoldo (철도) – Heavy steel blade for duelling

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The Seven Swords Takeaway

Korean swords tell a layered story of metallurgy, martial discipline, and statecraft. Each period introduced shifts in design and purpose, from tribal rituals and military unification to codified martial arts and rank display. While often overshadowed by Chinese or Japanese blades in global discourse, Korean swords remain a distinct and important part of East Asian arms history.