The Dragon Sabre and the Heaven Sword as embodiments of Gwok Jing and Wong Yung

[Ken Cheng]

On an obvious, literal level, we are all aware that the Dragon Sabre and the Heaven Sword represented the legacy of Gwok Jing and Wong Yung to the generations of wulin heroes that came after them. But were the two weapons also embodiments of their presence in a more metaphorical way? Allow me to explain.

During his lifetime, Gwok Jing was known as a man of plain-spoken, unyielding integrity and strength...and a fervent patriot and warrior. These characteristics seem to be embodied by the Dragon Sabre: it was not a delicate-looking weapon. It was large, bold, durable, and powerful. Moreover, in its heart it contained General Ngok Fei's Mo Muk War Tactics Manual - a text that seemingly represented Gwok Jing's very persona (and that he used in warfare against the Jin Empire and the Mongol Empire during his lifetime). Finally, note the name of the weapon: the Dragon-Slaying Sabre. Remember what Gwok Jing's primary martial art was during his lifetime: the Dragon-Subduing 18 Palms (Hong Lung 18 Palms). Finally, notice that the Dragon Sabre (as far as we know) was primarily possesed/wielded by men (i.e. Gwok Por Lo, its unknown custodians at the beginning of HSDS, Yu Doi Nam, Tse Tsun). The Dragon Sabre seemed to embody the spirit of its maker.

Similarly, the Heaven Sword seemed to embody Wong Yung's spirit. It appeared delicate, but was extremely sharp (and although it doesn't translate in Chinese the way it does for English, don't forget that "sharpness" refers to great intelligence). The weapon was called the "Heaven Sword"; I believe there is a phrase in Chinese, "as all-knowing as Heaven," to describe extremely intelligent people such as Wong Yung. Within the Heaven Sword as the 9 Yum Jen Ging, a text that had profoundly influenced Wong Yung's life from before her birth (her mother died attempting to produce a second copy of it for East Heretic Wong Yerk See), and of course this text would profoundly influence her adult life (and those of many of the people associated with Peach Blossom Island) as well. After Wong Yung's death, the Heaven Sword remained in the custody of women (her daughter Gwok Seung and the three Ngor Mei Sect Leaders who followed her). Just as the Dragon Sabre had embodied Gwok Jing's spirit, the Heaven Sword seemed to embody the spirit of Wong Yung.

[Radken]

I always wondered why Gwok Jing made a dao. I don't think he has ever used one in LOCH and have any techniques where he has to use a dao. Would have been more cooler if he created a bow. You know, Gwok Jing, "straight as an arrow".

[dewyloony123]

Side comment: Doesn't "Yi Tian" mean something along the lines of "supporting heaven?" I'm sure "Tu Long" means "dragon slaying" (something along those lines).

Do some literary analysis on that! (I'd do it if I had more time...)

[Ken Cheng]

Side comment: Doesn't "Yi Tian" mean something along the lines of "supporting heaven?" I'm sure "Tu Long" means "dragon slaying" (something along those lines).

That's one of the things I'm getting at. It seems more than merely coincidental that this "Dragonslaying Sabre" was created by a warrior known for his "Dragon-Subduing Palms."

It almost seems that after Gwok Jing and Wong Yung perished as flesh-and-blood individuals at Seung Yeung Fortress, their spirits lived on within the two weapons they created.

[flamer]

I think it does represent the lives and nature of Guo Jing and Huang Rong and their legacy.

[Dennis Chen]

I would say no. The manuals inside the weapons were embodiments of Guo Jing and Huang Rong. But the weapons themselves were representative of Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu.

[Ken Cheng]

I would say no. The manuals inside the weapons were embodiments of Guo Jing and Huang Rong. But the weapons themselves were representative of Yang Guo and Xiao Longnu.

You're going to have to explain that one, Dennis, because I can't fathom it at all.

[shortsight]

You're going to have to explain that one, Dennis, because I can't fathom it at all.

Probably because the HIS was melted to create the two??

[HuangYushi]

倚天屠龙记 refers to a record (documentation) [记] of the acts of relying on the Heavens [倚天] for the slaughter of the Dragon (Mongol conquerors) [屠龙]. This is the overall theme of the novel.

[yittz]

On an obvious, literal level, we are all aware that the Dragon Sabre and the Heaven Sword represented the legacy of Gwok Jing and Wong Yung to the generations of wulin heroes that came after them. But were the two weapons also embodiments of their presence in a more metaphorical way? Allow me to explain.

During his lifetime, Gwok Jing was known as a man of plain-spoken, unyielding integrity and strength...and a fervent patriot and warrior. These characteristics seem to be embodied by the Dragon Sabre: it was not a delicate-looking weapon. It was large, bold, durable, and powerful. Moreover, in its heart it contained General Ngok Fei's Mo Muk War Tactics Manual - a text that seemingly represented Gwok Jing's very persona (and that he used in warfare against the Jin Empire and the Mongol Empire during his lifetime). Finally, note the name of the weapon: the Dragon-Slaying Sabre. Remember what Gwok Jing's primary martial art was during his lifetime: the Dragon-Subduing 18 Palms (Hong Lung 18 Palms). Finally, notice that the Dragon Sabre (as far as we know) was primarily possesed/wielded by men (i.e. Gwok Por Lo, its unknown custodians at the beginning of HSDS, Yu Doi Nam, Tse Tsun). The Dragon Sabre seemed to embody the spirit of its maker.

Similarly, the Heaven Sword seemed to embody Wong Yung's spirit. It appeared delicate, but was extremely sharp (and although it doesn't translate in Chinese the way it does for English, don't forget that "sharpness" refers to great intelligence). The weapon was called the "Heaven Sword"; I believe there is a phrase in Chinese, "as all-knowing as Heaven," to describe extremely intelligent people such as Wong Yung. Within the Heaven Sword as the 9 Yum Jen Ging, a text that had profoundly influenced Wong Yung's life from before her birth (her mother died attempting to produce a second copy of it for East Heretic Wong Yerk See), and of course this text would profoundly influence her adult life (and those of many of the people associated with Peach Blossom Island) as well. After Wong Yung's death, the Heaven Sword remained in the custody of women (her daughter Gwok Seung and the three Ngor Mei Sect Leaders who followed her). Just as the Dragon Sabre had embodied Gwok Jing's spirit, the Heaven Sword seemed to embody the spirit of Wong Yung.

GJ was also handed a task of slaying his father's killer since his birth - who happened to be WYHL a dragon of the Jin empire. In some sense, he did end up slaying the dragon via his campaign with the Mongols.

However YG slayed a proper dragon too.

Also, I thought the war manual was suppose to be in the Heaven sword, whereas the martial art manuals were in Dragon sabre, ie the heaven sword holder become the emperor, but the dragon sabre hold can slay him if he goes astray. But that's moot point anyway with 3rd edition changes.

[Ken Cheng]

Also, I thought the war manual was suppose to be in the Heaven sword, whereas the martial art manuals were in Dragon sabre, ie the heaven sword holder become the emperor, but the dragon sabre hold can slay him if he goes astray. But that's moot point anyway with 3rd edition changes.

As I understand it, in the first edition, the Heaven Sword contained the 9 Yum Jen Ging and the Dragon Sabre contained the Mo Muk War Tactics Manual. In the second edition, the Heaven Sword contained *all* of Gwok Jing's martial arts knowledge in written form (including the Hong Lung 18 Palms as well as the 9 Yum Jen Ging) while the Dragon Sabre still contained the Mo Muk War Tactics Manual. In the third and current edition, the weapons hold no manuals at all, but provide the location of the manuals (Peach Blossom Island) and instructions for how to retrieve them.

[flyingfox2002]

倚天屠龙记 refers to a record (documentation) [记] of the acts of relying on the Heavens [倚天] for the slaughter of the Dragon (Mongol conquerors) [屠龙]. This is the overall theme of the novel.

The term '倚天' means very tall, which doesn't make much sense for the story. Your explanation makes more sense, so perhaps the 'yi tian' in the context of the book is actually '倚' + '天' (with support of the heavens) instead of '倚天' if that makes any sense.

Btw, does anyone know of any technology or method that makes keeping written records inside metal weapons is actually possible in the real world? We know that DGQB/YG's sword probably required very hot temperatures to melt. What material were accessible to blacksmiths at that time (or currently) that can serve as insulation/protection for the 9 Yin manual and Yue Fei's manual?

[Ken Cheng]

The term '倚天' means very tall, which doesn't make much sense for the story. Your explanation makes more sense, so perhaps the 'yi tian' in the context of the book is actually '倚' + '天' (with support of the heavens) instead of '倚天' if that makes any sense.

Btw, does anyone know of any technology or method that makes keeping written records inside metal weapons is actually possible in the real world? We know that DGQB/YG's sword probably required very hot temperatures to melt. What material were accessible to blacksmiths at that time (or currently) that can serve as insulation/protection for the 9 Yin manual and Yue Fei's manual?

I think that the inability to find a plausible explanation that would satisfy today's more skeptical and cynical readers is one of the reasons that Jin Yong decided to not place the manuals directly inside the weapons in the third edition.

[ChanceEncounter]

I have to agree with Dennis. I see the two more comparable to YG and XLN.

Probably because the HIS was melted to create the two??

In the later revision, the HIS was made into to TuLong Dao, while XLN's two swords were made into YiTian Jian.