Ram-dao
A ram-dao on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art

Ram-dao, or ramdao, is a traditional sacrificial sword used in the Hindu ritual sacrifice of animals.[1] The large, curved blade is designed to decapitate a sacrificial animal in a single stroke.[2][3] Ram-daos are used in a hacking swing, with the added weight on the curved end being intended for decapitations. The swords hilt and blade were often adorned with precious stones and metals.

Dakshina Kali (19th-century)

Ram-daos are often depicted in Hindu religious imagery, often being wielded by the goddesses Durga and Kali. The sword was also embellished with religious imagery, symbols, and texts. This type of ritual sword was used widely by cultures in multiple regions including: Assam, Bengal, East India, Nepal, and North India.[4]

Despite the similar sounding names, this weapon is distinct from both the Chinese dao and the Naga dao swords which were traditionally used as slashing weapons.

References

  1. ↑ Indian Museum, Indian and Oriental Arms and Armor , Publisher Courier Dover Publications, 2002, ISBN 978-0-486-42229-9
  2. ↑ "Oriental-Arms: Large and Heavy Sacrificial Ram Dao Sword, Nepal". oriental-arms.com. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  3. ↑ "Sacrificial Sword (Ramdao)". The Metropolitan Museum of Art. Retrieved 9 June 2017.
  4. ↑ "Sacrificial Sword (Rāmdāo)". www.metmuseum.org. Retrieved 22 March 2020.

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