YUE is an axe-shaped weapon used in China more than 3,000 years ago. It has a threatening larger-than-necessary blade, heavy but unwieldy. The Yue axe on display at the Shanghai Museum is 35.6 centimeters by 33.2 centimeters and weighs 5.16 kilograms.

Possibly inspired by a functional chisel or small spade, this ceremonial tool has a jade blade that is fitted into a shallow slot at the base of the bronze handle. Corrosion extending from the …

Ceremonial object of axe head shape, of the type fu 斧 or yueh [yue] 鉞; broad and flat with rounded blade edge, sides tapering to a square end with curved boring on edge and a conical perforation directly under it; semitranslucent, richly mottled dark greens with iridescent patches and scattered areas of dull red; wide shallow groove on one ...

Yue is a long-handled arc-bladed hacking weapon, as well as an instrument of torture. This function was clearly manifested in the pictographic characters of head-chopping on the inscriptions of bronzes.

The character ' 王', a Chinese term for king, originates from the pictograph of yue axe, which depicts an axe's cutting edge facing downward. The character ' 父' (father) derives its form from the image of a human holding an axe-from scepter as a symbol of power.

Its extravagantly openwork outline with curvaceous dragons and large feline mask with ears in high relief on the flat face of the blade are typical of the decorative flamboyance that marked the beginning of the Western Zhou dynasty (ca. 1050-950 b.c.e.).

The Yue axes of the Shang dynasty were intricate and ferocious in shape, particularly for the large types, the massive size, openwork beast mask, demonstrating a terrifying and daunting majesty.

Bronze yue (battle-axe) with animal mask motif, cast in the late Shang Dynasty. Overall length: 17cm; Body width: 15cm; Thickness: 1.2cm. Unearthed in the People’s Park of Zhengzhou in 1954. In the collection of Henan Museum now.

The Great Axe or Yuè (鉞) was a pole-arm used in ancient times. During the Shang and Zhou dynasties Great axes were made of either jade or bronze. The jade versions were ceremonial. Important men and sometimes women were buried with …

Yue is a long-handled arc-bladed hacking weapon, as well as an instrument of torture. This function was clearly manifested in the pictographic characters of head-chopping on the inscriptions of bronzes.