Rough Notes:

Swords[edit]

  • Chrysaor, the golden sword of Sir Artegal in The Faerie Queene. It was tempered with Adamant, and it could cleave through anything. (Renaissance fiction)
  • Mmaagha Kamalu, a sword that belongs to the Igbo god of war Kamalu. This sword glows red when people with evil intentions are close by and it can cause tremors when struck on the ground. It gifts mere mortals victory in battle. (Igbo mythology)
  • Thuận Thiên (Heaven's Will), the mythical sword of the Vietnamese King Lê Lợi, who liberated Vietnam from Ming occupation after ten years of fighting from 1418 until 1428. (Vietnamese mythology)
  • Kladenets (also Samosek or Samosyok), the "self-swinging sword" is a fabulous magic sword in some Old Russian fairy tales. In English translations of Russian byliny and folklore, it may be rendered variously as "sword of steel". (Russian mythology)
  • Shamshir-e Zomorrodnegar (Persian: شمشیر زمردنگار), "The emerald-studded Sword" in the Persian mythical story Amir Arsalan. The hideous horned demon called Fulad-zereh was invulnerable to all weapons except the blows of Shamshir-e Zomorrodnegar. This blade originally belonged to King Solomon. (Persian mythology)
  • Jokulsnaut, a sword belonging to Grettir which was later given to his brother Atli. (Sagas of Icelanders)
  • Flaming Sword, a sword glowing with flame by some supernatural power.
  • Cura Si Manjakini, a sword mentioned in the legends of the Malay Annals as originally possessed by Sang Sapurba, the legendary ancestor of Malay kings. (Malay folklore)
  • Kalevanmiekka, Kaleva's sword. (Finnish mythology)
  • Sword of Laban, When Nephi encountered the unconscious Laban, he noticed that Laban was wearing a fine sword made of "precious steel" with a hilt of "pure gold". After slaying Laban, Nephi took this sword for himself. He would later use it as a model for manufacturing similar weapons for his people's defense. Apparently Laban's sword was passed down through the centuries to future prophets, kings, and warriors. (Book of Mormon)
  • Zulfiqar, a sword sent from the Heavens to the Prophet Muhammad by the archangel Gabriel and he was ordered to give the sword to Ali ibn Abi Talib. (Islamic mythology)
  • Szczerbiec (Notched Sword or Jagged Sword), a legend links Szczerbiec with Bolesław I the Brave who was said to have chipped the sword by hitting it against the Golden Gate, Kiev (now in Ukraine) during his intervention in the Kievan succession crisis in 1018. (Medieval legend)
  • Grus, the historical sword of Bolesław III Wrymouth, medieval prince of Poland. (Medieval legend)
  • Morgelai, the king makes Beves a knight and presents him with a sword called Morgelai. (Medieval legend)
  • Guy of Warwick's Sword, belonged to the legendary Guy of Warwick who is said to have lived in the 10th century. (Medieval legend)

Swords from Celtic mythology[edit]

  • Caladbolg (also Caladcholg), the sword of Fergus mac Róich and powerful enough to cut the tops off three hills; related to the Caledfwlch of Welsh mythology.
  • Caledfwlch, often compared to Excalibur. This sword is used by Llenlleawg Wyddel to kill Diwrnach Wyddel and his men.
  • Ceard-nan Gallan, the Smith of the Branches, sword of Oisín.
  • Claíomh Solais (Sword of Light), the sword of Nuada Airgeadlámh. The sword glowed with the light of the sun and was irresistible in battle, having the power to cut his enemies in half.
  • Cosgarach Mhor, the Great Triumphant One, sword of Oscar.
  • Cruadh-Chosgarach, the Hard Destroying One, sword of Caílte mac Rónáin.
  • Dyrnwyn (White-Hilt), the Sword of Rhydderch Hael. When drawn by a worthy or well-born man, the entire blade would blaze with fire. Rhydderch was never reluctant to hand the weapon to anyone, hence his nickname Hael "the Generous", but the recipients, as soon as they had learned of its peculiar properties, always rejected the sword.
  • Fragarach (also Sword of Air, Answerer or Retaliator), forged by the gods, wielded by Manannán mac Lir and Lugh Lamfada. No armour could stop it, and it would grant its wielder command over the powers of wind.
  • Mac an Luin, the Son of the Waves, sword of Fionn mac Cumhaill.
  • Moralltach (also Morallta), a sword given to Diarmuid Ua Duibhne by his father Aengus, which left no stroke or blow unfinished at the first trial.
  • Beagalltach (also Begallta), a short sword given to Diarmuid Ua Duibhne by his father Aengus. It broke in two pieces after hitting a boar with it.
  • Singing Sword of Conaire Mór, a sword that would sing in battle.
  • Cruaidín Catutchenn, the sword of Cú Chulainn.
  • Orna, the sword of the Fomorian king Tethra, which recounts the deeds done with it when unsheathed. It was taken by Ogma and it then recounted everything it had done. (Irish mythology)

Swords from Continental Germanic mythology[edit]

  • Mimung, a great sword that Wudga inherits from his father Wayland the Smith.
  • Nagelring, the sword of Dietrich von Bern.
  • Eckesachs (Seax of Ecke), the sword that belonged to the giant Ecke before he was killed by Dietrich von Bern, who then took it for himself (replacing Nagelring).
  • Balmung or Nothung, the sword from Die Walküre, wielded by Siegfried the hero of the Nibelungenlied.
  • Blutgang (also Burtgang or Blodgang), the sword of Háma.
  • Adylok or Hatheloke, the sword of Torrent of Portyngale, according to The Romance Torrent of Portyngale. Forged by Wayland the Smith.

Swords from Anglo-Saxon mythology and folklore of the British Islands[edit]

Swords from the Matter of Britain[edit]

  • Arondight, Lancelot's sword.
  • Clarent, a sword of peace meant for knighting and ceremonies as opposed to battle, which was stolen and then used to kill Arthur by Mordred.
  • Coreiseuse (Wrathful), the sword of King Ban, Lancelot's father.
  • Excalibur, it is also sometimes referred to as: Caliburn, Caledfwlch, Calesvol, Kaledvoulc'h, Caliburnus due to inconsistencies within the various Arthurian legends. Sometimes attributed with magical powers or associated with the rightful sovereignty of Great Britain. Stated that it was forged on the Isle of Avalon.
  • Galatine, the name of the sword given to Sir Gawain by the Lady of the Lake.
  • Grail Sword, a cracked holy sword which Sir Percival bonded back together, though the crack remained.
  • Secace, The sword that Lancelot used to battle the Saxons at Saxon Rock. It is translated as Seure (Sequence) in the Vulgate Cycle.
  • Sword in the Stone, a sword in the Arthurian legend which only the rightful king of Britain can pull from the stone; sometimes associated with Excalibur. In Mallory, the sword in the stone is not Excalibur and is not named. When the sword is broken in a fight with King Pellinore, the Lady of the Lake gives him Excalibur as a replacement. At Arthur's death, Excalibur is returned to the Lady of the lake by Sir Bedivere.
  • Sword with the Red Hilt, One of the swords wielded by Sir Balin. After his death, Merlin sealed it in the float stone where it remained until it was drawn by Sir Galahad. After Galahad, the sword passes to his father, Sir Lancelot who fatally wounds Sir Gawain with it.
  • Courtain (also Curtana, Cortana, Sword of Mercy), it is linked to the legendary sword carried by Tristan and Ogier the Dane. Its end is blunt and squared, said to symbolize mercy. The story surrounding the breaking of the weapon is unknown, but mythological history indicates that the tip was broken off by an angel to prevent a wrongful killing.
  • Egeking, a sword in the medieval poem Greysteil. Sir Graham obtains the sword 'Egeking' from Eger's aunt, Sir Egram's Lady. (Arthurian legend)

Swords from Norse mythology[edit]

  • Angurvadal (Stream of Anguish), a magical sword of Viking, and later Frithiof. The sword was inscribed with Runic letters, which blazed in time of war, but gleamed with a dim light in time of peace.
  • Dáinsleif, king Högni's sword that gave wounds that never healed and could not be unsheathed without killing a man.
  • Freyr's sword, a magic sword which fought on its own. It might be Lævateinn.
  • Gram, the sword that Odin struck into the world tree Barnstokkr which only Sigmund the Völsung was able to pull out. It broke in battle with Odin but was later reforged by Sigmund's son Sigurd and used it to slay the dragonFafnir. After being reforged, it could cleave an anvil in half.
  • Hǫfuð, the sword of Heimdallr, the guardian of Bifröst.
  • Hrotti, the sword is mentioned in the Völsung cycle. It was part of Fafnir's treasure, which Sigurd took after he slew the dragon.
  • Lævateinn, a sword mentioned in an emendation to the Poetic Edda Fjölsvinnsmál by Sophus Bugge. it was forged by the elf Völundr.
  • Legbiter, the sword of Magnus III of Norway.
  • Mistilteinn, the magical sword of Prainn, the draugr, later owned by Hromundr Gripsson and it could never go blunt.
  • Quern-biter, sword of Haakon I of Norway and his follower, Thoralf Skolinson the Strong, said to be sharp enough to cut through quernstones.
  • Ridill (also Refil), sword of the dwarf Regin.
  • Skofnung, the legendary sword of Danish king Hrólf Kraki. It was renowned for supernatural sharpness and hardness, as well as for being imbued with the spirits of the king's twelve faithful berserker bodyguards.
  • Tyrfing (also Tirfing or Tyrving), the cursed sword of Svafrlami with a golden hilt that would never miss a stroke, would never rust and would cut through stone and iron as easily as through clothes. The dwarves made the sword, and it shone and gleamed like fire. However, they cursed it so that it would kill a man every time it was used and that it would be the cause of three great evils.
  • Dragvandil, the sword of Egill Skallagrímsson.
  • Gambanteinn, A sword which appears in two poems in the Poetic Edda

Swords from the Matter of France[edit]

  • Almace (also Almice or Almacia), sword of Turpin, Archbishop of Reims.
  • Balisarda, the sword of Rogero from Orlando Furioso made by a sorceress, and capable of cutting through enchanted substances.
  • Corrougue, the sword of Otuel.
  • Durendal (also Durandal or Durlindana in Italian), the sword of Roland, one of Charlemagne's paladins, (Orlando in medieval Italian verse) — alleged to be the same sword as the one wielded by Hector of Ilium. It was said to be the sharpest sword in all of existence.
  • Froberge, the sword of Renaud de Montauban.
  • Hauteclere (also Halteclere or Hauteclaire), the sword of Olivier. It is described as being of burnished steel, with a crystal embedded in a golden hilt.
  • Joyeuse, sword of Charlemagne. Some legends claim Joyeuse was forged to contain the Lance of Longinus within its pommel; others say the blade was smithed from the same materials as Roland's Durendal and Ogier's Curtana.
  • Murgleys (also Murgleis), sword of Ganelon, traitor and cousin of Roland. Its "gold pommel" held some kind of a "holy relic".
  • Précieuse, sword of Baligant, Emir of Babylon.
  • Sauvagine, second of the two magical swords of Ogier the Dane.
  • Merveilleuse, the hero's sword in Doon de Mayence. It was so sharp that when placed edge downwards it would cut through a slab of wood without the use of force.
  • Joan of Arc's sword, Joan's "voices" told her that a magical and holy sword would be found in the Church of Saint Catherine of Fierbois. It had five crosses upon it and that the rust was easily removed.

Swords from Spanish mythology[edit]

Swords from Greek mythology[edit]

  • Harpe, an adamantine sword was used by the hero Perseus to decapitate Medusa.
  • Sword of Peleus, a magic sword that makes its wielder victorious in the battle or the hunt.
  • Sword of Damocles, a huge sword hanged above the throne where Damocles sat on the throne, it was held at the pommel only by a single hair of a horse's tail.
  • Sword of justice, in Themis right hand, she is seen to have a sword that faces downward. This sword represents punishment.

Swords from Roman mythology[edit]

Swords from Hindu mythology[edit]

  • Aruval, the Tamils revere the weapon, a type of billhook, as a symbol of Karupannar. (Tamil mythology)
  • Asi, a legendary sword mentioned in the epic Mahabharata.
  • Chandrahas, the divine sword Chandrahas was given to Ravana with a warning that if it was used for unjust causes, it would return to the three-eyed Shiva and Ravana's days would be numbered.
  • Girish, special sword of Shiva with unique characteristics.
  • Khanda (also Mahābhārata Sword), Khanda is represented as wisdom cutting through ignorance. In Hinduism, the Khanda is a symbol of Shiva. Khanda often appears in Hindu, Buddhist and Sikh scriptures and art.
  • Nandaka (also Nandaki), the sword of the Hindu god Vishnu.
  • Nistrimsha, the sword of Pradyumna, son of Krishna.
  • Pattayudha, the divine sword of Lord Veerabhadra, commander of Lord Shiva's armies.

Swords from Japanese mythology[edit]

  • Kusanagi-no-tsurugi (also Ama-no-Murakumo-no-Tsurugi and Tsumugari no Tachi), sword of the Japanese god Susanoo, later given to his sister Amaterasu. It is one of three Imperial Regalia of Japan.
  • Totsuka-no-Tsurugi, the sword Susanoo used to slay Yamata no Orochi.
  • Ame-no-Ohabari (also Ama-no-Ohabari), used by Izanagi to kill his offspring, Kagu-tsuchi.
  • Futsu-no-mitama (August-Snap-Spirit), the sword of Takemikazuchi.
  • Juuchi Yosamu (10,000 Cold Nights), crafted by Muramasa - in a contest, Sengo Muramasa suspended the blade in a small creek with the cutting edge facing the current. Muramasa's sword cut everything that passed its way; fish, leaves floating down the river, the very air which blew on it. A monk who had been watching explained what he had seen; the Muramasa is a blood thirsty, evil blade, as it does not discriminate as to who or what it will cut. It may just as well be cutting down butterflies as severing heads.
  • Yawarakai-Te (Tender Hands), crafted by Masamune - in a contest, Masamune Okazaki lowered his sword into the current and waited patiently. Only leaves were cut. However, the fish swam right up to it, and the air hissed as it gently blew by the blade. A monk who had been watching explained what he had seen; the Masamune was by far the finer of the two swords, as it did not needlessly cut that which is innocent and undeserving.
  • Kogitsune-maru (Little Fox), Inari Ōkami and its fox spirits help the blacksmith Munechika forge the blade Kogitsune-maru at the end of the 10th century.
  • Kogarasu Maru (Little Crow), a unique tachi sword believed to have been created by the legendary smith Amakuni during 8th century CE.

Swords from Chinese mythology[edit]

  • Gan Jiang and Mo Ye, the legendary Chinese twin swords named after their creators.
  • Glory of Ten Powers, a legendary Chinese sword allegedly forged in Tibet by husband-and-wife magicians of the ancient Bön tradition.
  • Lü Dongbin's sword, a sword that dispels evil spirits.

Swords from Buddhist mythology[edit]

  • Chandrahrasa, legendary sword of Manjusri, according to Swayambhu Purana used to found Kathmandu Valley, forms the centerpiece of flag of Kathmandu.
  • Houken, a metaphorical Buddhist sword used to cut away earthly desires, it is wielded by Acala.
  • Khanda represents wisdom cutting through ignorance. Hindu and Buddhist deities are often shown welding or holding khanda sword in religious art. Notably, Buddhist guardian deities like Acala, Manjushri, Mahākāla, and Palden Lhamo.