Legendary Weapons Quiz
This sword was given to Arthur by the Lady of the Lake, then returned to her after his death.
- Excalibur has had many different names over the years. "Excalibur" is derived from the French name for the sword. Before that it was Caledfwlch (and other regional variations), then Caliburn/Caliburnus, then Escalibor.
This sword could only be drawn by those crowned atop the (very real) Stone of Destiny on the Hill of Tara. No one could tell a lie when this sword was at their throat.
- The Stone of Destiny allegedly would roar when the rightful High King of Ireland was crowned atop it, and this legendary sword would whisper back in response.
This sword was cursed that it must always draw blood when it was drawn, and that it would commit three evil deeds.
- Tyrfing changed hands many times, and its curse caused the deaths of several heros (and some fratricide). The curse was appeased, and the sword then used to defeat the Huns.
This spear would shoot out dozens of barbs after entering someone's body.
- All the legends agree that the Gáe Bulg was the spear of Cú Chulainn, and that it produces nasty barbs. The number of barbs is pretty contested though. Some versions say it's a single spear with 30 barbs, while some say it's seven prongs with seven barbs.
This trusty spear would always find its mark, then magically return to its wielder's hand.
- The magic word for it to find its mark was the Celtic word for "yew," the same wood from which the spear was made. The word for it to return is best translated as "re-yew."
This sword was pulled from the tail of the eight-headed serpent Yamata-no-Orochi. This is allegedly the sword presented to each Emperor of Japan.
- No one but the people in charge of the sword and the emperor are permitted to see it, though, so no one can really remark about its alleged real-life qualities.
This fiery spear had to be kept in a pot of water to keep from igniting.
- Areadbhair is one of two fiery spears used by the hero Lugh, which can make things a bit confusing. One had to be lulled with a poppy mixture, while Areadbhair just needed to be quenched. Aenbharr isn't a spear at all, but rather a very good horse.
This sword is said to have a part of the Holy Lance in its pommel.
- Joyeuse is the alleged sword of Charlemagne, still preserved on display at the Louvre. Precieuse is a sword belonging to a Moorish general in the Song of Roland, who named his sword after Charlemagne's so as to be considered his equal.
This weapon was used by the hero Rama to slay the ten-headed King of Lanka, Ravana.
- The Sudarshana Chakra was used in beheadings, and Vijaya was used to kill wicked rulers, but not in the Ramayana. Rama fired many arrows at Ravana which knocked loose his heads, but they regrew. He finally resorted to the Arrow of Brahma.
This powerful hammer was a gift from two dwarf smiths, Brokkr and Eitri.
- After Loki commissioned several gifts for the gods from different smiths, Brokkr and Eitri declared that they could produce much finer gifts. This culminated in Mjolnir, the hammer of Thor. Loki sabotaged the hammer, which resulted in its short handle.
