Journal | Annali di Ca’ Foscari. Serie orientale
Monographic journal issue | 57 | Supplemento | 2021
Research Article | Arms and Armour in Ancient and Medieval Tibetan Literature
Arms and Armour in Ancient and Medieval Tibetan Literature
A Lexicographical Approach
Abstract
This article presents Tibetan terms and expressions for arms and armour originating in Tibetan sources as per research conducted for the Wörterbuch der Tibetischen Schriftsprache, a dictionary database that includes sources ranging from the eight to the nineteenth centuries. This survey shows that Tibetan literature bears testimony to the existence of a broad variety of arms and armour in Tibet, which are mentioned in various contexts: Bon or Buddhist sources, historiographical or mythical accounts. By tracing these terms’ etymological origins and focusing on the actual use of weapons, we may gain a clearer understanding of the origin, use, and value of arms and armour in Tibetan culture.
Submitted: Nov. 9, 2020 | Accepted: March 25, 2021 | Published Dec. 10, 2021 | Language: en
Keywords Slingshot • Iron hook • Helmet • Tibetan history • Lasso • Bow and arrow • Tibetan dictionary • Armour • Pike • Sword • Weapon • Spear
Copyright © 2021 Petra Maurer. This is an open-access work distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction is permitted, provided that the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. The license allows for commercial use. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms.
Permalink http://doi.org/10.30687/AnnOr/2385-3042/2021/02/003
