What was the ancient shield like?

A shield is a hand-held protective weapon. In ancient times, soldiers usually covered their bodies with a shield in their left hand to resist the enemy's sharp arrows, and killed the enemy with a knife or other weapons in their right hand. Both are used together. There are many kinds and shapes of ancient shields. There are rectangular, trapezoidal, circular and dovetail shapes in appearance, and the back is equipped with a grip. Hand-held shields are generally no more than three feet long. During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, there was a special shield on the chariot to block the arrow. There are more shields on the city head as protective gear to protect the city. Shields used by cavalry and infantry are often small, flexible and durable. At the "Hongmen Banquet", Fan Kuai, a strong man, knocked down the bodyguard in front of Ji with an iron shield, which is a heavy shield.

According to different materials, shields can be divided into wooden, bamboo, rattan, leather, bronze and iron. Among them, the shield made of wood and leather has the longest history and the most common application. During the Shang and Zhou Dynasties, shields were mostly used in chariot battles and foot battles. Shields made of wood, leather or rattan were important defensive weapons in the army. At this time, the shield shape is approximately rectangular, with a bronze shield inlaid in front, such as a tiger head and a lion face. All of them are ferocious and awesome, so as to deter the enemy and enhance the protection efficiency of the shield. One kind of wooden shield is particularly popular, with double arc patterns on the top, rectangular shape, painted surface and exquisite patterns. Rattan card is also a kind of shield commonly used by the army. It was first born in Fujian and introduced to the mainland in the middle of Ming Dynasty. Rattan cards are made by collecting old vines on the mountain. Generally, it is made into a disc shape with a prominent center and high eaves. The circle is about three feet in diameter but weighs no more than nine pounds. These cards are made of rattan into upper and lower rings so that the arms can catch them. This rattan brand is simple to compile and convenient to use. In addition, the rattan itself is strong and flexible, smooth and tough, and it is not easy to be cut by weapons. Therefore, after being introduced into the mainland, it soon became one of the main equipment of infantry.