Swords of renown are the seeds of legend. Fueled by tales of bloodshed and conquest, there have been mysterious swords throughout history that have grown to mythical proportions, blending fact and fiction until the two are almost inseparable. We’ve tracked down blades that might actually be living legends, and others whose stories are so bizarre we have to question their truth.

What Makes Mysterious Swords So Fascinating?

12 The Sword In The Stone

While the Arthurian saga is largely folklore, there is a very real stone‑embedded blade in a Tuscan chapel that could be the seed of the famous tale. The sword belongs to Saint Galgano, a 12th‑century knight who, according to legend, was commanded by Archangel Michael to abandon his sinful ways. To prove his resolve, Galgano tried to break his sword against a nearby rock; the blade supposedly sliced the stone as if it were butter. The sword still rests in the stone where Galgano left it.

After Galgano’s canonisation, word of his holy blade spread rapidly. The Excalibur legend predates Galgano, but the “sword in the stone” motif appears shortly after his time, suggesting his blade may have inspired the later story. Carbon dating by Luigi Garlaschelli of the University of Pavia places the sword in the 12th century—right on schedule for Galgano’s lifetime—though absolute proof of the legend’s authenticity remains elusive.

11 The Kusanagi

Legend says the “sword in the snake” Kusanagi was extracted from the corpse of an eight‑headed serpent slain by the storm‑god. It forms part of Japan’s Imperial Regalia, symbols of the imperial family’s divine descent from the sun goddess.

The blade is said to reside in the Atsuta Shrine in Nagano, though it never appears in public. It is only brought out for imperial coronations and always remains wrapped, keeping the world guessing. The only official mention after World War II records Emperor Hirohito ordering the regalia’s keepers to defend the treasures at all costs.

10 Durandal

For centuries a mysterious blade has been lodged in the cliffs above the Notre Dame chapel at Rocamadour, France. Monks claim it is Durandal, the sword of the paladin Roland, who allegedly hurled the holy blade into the cliff to keep it from enemy hands. In 2011 the sword was removed and sent to the Cluny Museum in Paris for exhibition.

The first literary mention of Durandal appears in “The Song of Roland,” composed long after the historic battle. The monks likely linked their cliff‑side blade to Roland because Rocamadour was the starting point of his campaign, even though his final battle occurred far away in the Roncesvaux valley. Without a clear historical link, the Durandal in the cliff is probably a later invention, leaving its true origin shrouded in mystery.

9 The Cursed Muramasas

Muramasa was a famed Japanese swordsmith who, according to legend, prayed that his blades become “great destroyers.” The gods supposedly granted his request, imbuing the swords with a blood‑thirsty spirit that would drive their wielders to murder or suicide if not satisfied by battle. Countless stories recount cursed owners, and the swords were eventually banned by imperial edict.

The edict came from Shogun Tokugawa Ieyasu after the blades allegedly killed nearly all of his family—his grandfather fell to a Muramasa, Ieyasu and his father were wounded, and later his wife and adopted son met fatal ends. In reality, Muramasa was not a single individual but the head of a school whose high‑quality blades were popular among samurai. The apparent curse likely stems from the swords’ widespread use rather than any supernatural quality.

8 The Honjo Masamune

Masamune, the legendary Japanese swordsmith, is celebrated for his flawless blades, while his rival Muramasa is remembered for cursed steel. Legend tells of a competition where both smiths placed their swords in a stream: Muramasa’s blade cut everything, whereas Masamune’s only cut what deserved it, even sparing the air.

One of Masamune’s prized swords, the Honjo Masamune, vanished after World II. It was reportedly given to an American soldier, Sgt. Coldy Bimore, who likely kept it as a war souvenir. The sword’s whereabouts remain unknown, and despite its immense historical and monetary value, collectors have made no progress in locating the lost masterpiece.

7 Joyeuse

Joyeuse, the legendary sword of Charlemagne, was said to change colors thirty times a day and shine brighter than the sun. Since 1271, two swords called Joyeuse have been part of French coronation ceremonies, but both cannot be the original, leaving scholars to debate which blade truly belonged to the Holy Roman Emperor.

The Louvre’s Joyeuse has undergone extensive modification; its oldest component, the pommel, dates to the 10th‑11th centuries—just after Charlemagne’s death in 813. The other contender, a “saber of Charlemagne” in Vienna’s Imperial Treasury, dates to the early 10th century, still slightly post‑dating the emperor. Some suggest the saber was fashioned by Hungarian smiths, spawning additional myths that it was the sword of Attila, supposedly gifted by the god Mars. Neither claim holds solid historical ground.

6 St. Peter’s Sword

Legends claim Saint Peter used a sword to cut off a servant’s ear in the garden of Gethsemane. English tradition says the blade traveled to England with Joseph of Arimathea and the Holy Grail. In 968, Bishop Jordan brought a sword to Poland, asserting it was the genuine sword of St. Peter. The relic now resides in the Archdiocese Museum in Poznań.

Scholars argue the weapon could be a first‑century falchion— a sword type unlikely to have existed during Peter’s era. Metallurgical analysis dates the blade to a period long after the apostle’s death, casting doubt on its authenticity.

5 The Wallace Sword

Legend says William Wallace, the hero immortalised in Mel Gibson’s Braveheart, fashioned his sword’s scabbard, hilt, and belt from the skin of Hugh de Cressingham, the English treasurer he flayed after the Battle of Stirling Bridge.

Some versions claim only a strip of Cressingham’s skin was used for Wallace’s belt, while others suggest the whole flayed body supplied material for saddle girths. King James IV later ordered the sword’s scabbard, belt, and pommel replaced with more appropriate parts, so the blade on display at the National Wallace Monument bears newer fittings. The story likely originated from English propaganda aiming to portray Wallace as barbaric, though the notion of using a tax collector’s skin for a belt is not entirely implausible.

4 The Sword Of Goujian

In 1965, archaeologists uncovered a stunningly pristine blade in a damp tomb in China. Over two millennia old, the sword showed no rust and even drew blood when a researcher tested its edge. Its intricate etchings were far beyond what was thought possible for the era.

Further study linked the blade to King Goujian of the Yue state, matching the description in the lost text The Lost History of Yue, which praised a single sword forged by heaven and earth. The sword’s remarkable preservation stems from a rust‑proof alloy and a nearly airtight scabbard that prevented oxidation, allowing the blade to survive in near‑perfect condition for 2,000 years.

3 The Seven‑Branched Sword

In 1945 a curious sword was discovered in Japan’s Isonokami Shrine. Its unusual design features six side protrusions, with the tip considered the seventh—hence the name. Though weathered, a faded inscription reveals that the blade was a gift from a Korean king to a Japanese monarch.

The inscription matches a description in the Nihon Shoki, an early Japanese chronicle, which records a seven‑branched sword presented to the semi‑mythical empress Jingu. Dating of the blade aligns with reliable sources from China, Korea, and Japan, and the shrine itself appears in contemporary documents, suggesting the sword has indeed lain there since ancient times.

2 La Tizona

La Tizona is famed as the sword of El Cid, the Spanish hero who fought for both Christian and Muslim forces. A museum in Burgos claims to house the authentic blade. According to tradition, King Ferdinand gifted the sword to the Marquis of Falces in 1516; it stayed in the family until the Madrid Military Museum received it in 1944.

When the Marquis later sold the sword to the Castile and León region for display, the Culture Ministry launched a scholarly attack, arguing the blade was forged centuries after El Cid’s lifetime. The regional authorities countered with a study defending its authenticity, suggesting the ministry’s objections were driven by jealousy over the lost artifact. The poem Lay of El Cid describes La Tizona as terrifying foes at a mere glance, and the ongoing debate keeps the sword’s legend alive.

1 The Ulfberht

Though largely forgotten today, the Ulfberht swords were Viking‑era marvels that far outclassed contemporary European blades. Inscribed with the signature “+ULFBERH+T,” these swords were forged from crucible steel—material comparable to modern steel—making them a thousand years ahead of their time.

Most Viking blades were made of low‑carbon, slag‑laden steel that shattered easily, but Ulfberhts displayed exceptional strength. Scholars believe the secret lay in importing crucible steel from Iran and Afghanistan. While we don’t know whether “Ulfberht” was a single smith or a workshop name, his (or their) mastery gave Viking elites the most advanced weapons of the era.

I have always been a fan of characters in video games, television shows and movies who know how to wield a mighty bladed weapon. This has led to my often pricey hobby of knife and sword collecting. Any fool can use a firearm, but it takes real skill to effectively slash and hack your way through your foes. These swords are in no particular order since each has its own uniqueness and story to go with them. I tried to balance out the equation by providing swords from movies both recent and less recent. Please feel free to leave anything I should have included in this list in the comments.

10 Sword of Omens

Wielded by: Lion-O of The ThunderCats

Kicking off the list at number 10 we have The Sword of Omens. Any child of the 80’s should remember this cartoon series. More mighty than anyone else of his age, young Lion-O was only 12 years old when he and his Thunderian teammates sought refuge on Third Earth while their home planet of Thunderia was being destroyed.

Upon arrival, Lion-O and his allies fought against the tyrannical Mumm-Ra and his hordes of evil fiends who sought to not only destroy The Thundercats, but also obtain great power from The Eye of Thundera, the jewel inlaid within the hilt of The Sword of Omens, which is the source of The Thundercats’ own power.

9 The Bride’s Hattori Hanzo Sword

Wielded by: The Bride in Kill Bill Vol. 1 & 2

This particular sword is artistically used by one of the most ass‑kicking females to ever grace the silver screen within the past several years. After being betrayed and nearly beaten to death by her would‑be cohorts, The Deadly Viper Assassination Squad, and then having a bullet put through her head by Bill himself; The Bride is left inside of a chapel to die.

Why not? After all, who could possibly survive a point‑blank gunshot to the head? The Bride, that’s who! She very slowly recovers and eventually seeks the guidance of a couple of highly secretive and skilled individuals, one of whom is the infamous Sonny Chiba whose character is the long‑since retired Japanese sword‑crafting legend Hattori Hanzo. One month is spent crafting her katana. After Hattori’s long and arduous task is completed The Bride is both justifiably relentless and unstoppable in seeking vengeance against those who wronged her.

8 Conan’s Atlantean Sword

Wielded by: Conan in Conan The Barbarian

As a young boy Conan witnessed his entire village get pillaged and destroyed by the evil warlord Thulsa Doom. After his mother and father are murdered Conan, being one of the few survivors of Doom’s pillage, is sold into slavery. During this time he grows in both age and in strength eventually being put in the rings of the gladiators to fight for the entertainment of others. He is a formidable opponent and wins fight after fight until his slave owner decides to send him out east to hone his skills as a fighter by learning to fight with a sword. Then one day he is simply set free.

During his journey away from slavery he stumbles upon an old tomb deep within the side of a mountain. Buried there is an Atlantean king sitting on a throne with his royal garments adorning him and a mighty sword at his side. Conan takes the sword and decides to find the warlords who destroyed his village and murdered his family.

7 Excalibur

Wielded by: King Arthur in Excalibur

Not only is this sword very well known in the movie arena, it is also included in countless pieces of classic literature. Given to King Arthur by The Lady of the Lake, Excalibur is the true sword of swords and can only be obtained by the true of heart. In many versions of the story the sword is imbued with magical powers which aid King Arthur in his battles.

A lot of confusion between Excalibur and the Sword in the Stone has arisen through time. From the information I have gathered the two stories mention separate swords though there is still some debate about that. Regardless of how you came to know the famous name of Excalibur, you must admit that it is a fine piece of legendary weaponry. So the next time you are walking near a lake look for The Lady. She just might have something to give to you.

6 The Headless Horseman’s Double‑Edged Sword

Wielded by: The Headless Horseman in Sleepy Hollow

The classic 1820 story of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving was again adapted to film in 1999. As the story goes, Ichabod Crane is sent to Sleepy Hollow to investigate and put a stop to the Headless Horseman who has been terrorizing the town. Riding upon a black horse, The Headless Horseman stalks his seemingly random victims at night and uses an ominous looking double‑edged sword to remove the heads of those unfortunate souls. The motives behind the murders are eventually unraveled as Crane’s investigation continues. The real twist for me is that Christopher Walken is The Headless Horseman.

5 Dar’s Sword in The Beastmaster

Wielded by: Dar in The Beastmaster

This movie is one of my personal favorites and the sword Dar uses is equally impressive. There is an evil priest Maax who has revealed to him a prophecy concerning the birth of a child who will eventually kill him years later. Maax is determined to put a stop to this at once and sends one of his evil minions out to find this unborn child, brand it with a sign of their evil deity then and sacrifice it. As fate would have it the baby is saved by a man who lives in the village of Emur. This is where Dar grows to be a strong young man.

Eventually Dar realizes that by being branded with the sign he was given the ability to psychically communicate with animals and this power will come in handy after his entire village and all of its inhabitants are slaughtered by the wicked Jun Horde. It seems that Maax has been looking for Dar all these years and his search has led him to the village of Emur. Dar survives the attack and as the last living member of the Emurite clan he seeks vengeance and uses his adoptive father’s mighty sword along with his psychic power to fulfill his destiny and make the prophecy become a reality.

4 The Hobbit’s Glowing Blade

Wielded by: Frodo Baggins in The Lord of the Rings trilogy

Sting is the perfect sword for someone who is as small as a hobbit. In the hands of a normal sized human it would simply be an elaborate elfish dagger. Not so for the hobbit. Sting is the perfect short sword for Frodo and it also has magical properties and can detect the presence of orcs by glowing blue at the blade. Exceptionally sharp, the sword is engraved with the Sindarian phrase “Maegnas aen estar nin dagnir in yngyl im” which means “Maegnas is my name and I am the spider’s bane.”

It came into hobbit hands when Frodo’s adoptive uncle Bilbo Baggins stole Sting from a band of orcs and used it to fight with. The name Sting was given to the sword after Bilbo’s encounter with a bunch of huge arachnids. Bilbo used it many times over the years until Frodo required a weapon for himself as he set out on the quest to destroy The Ring of Sauron.

3 He‑Man’s Power Sword

Wielded by: He‑Man in He‑Man and The Masters of The Universe

I grew up watching this cartoon series as a child so I had to throw this one on here. Looking back I now realize all of the sexual innuendoes within the series. As the regular average Prince Adam no one really cares about him, but when he takes the power sword out, points it in the air and shouts “By the power of Greyskull… I have the power!” he is magically transformed into He‑Man, the most powerful man in the universe, capable of any feat. No one ever figures out that they are one in the same person despite looking identical.

Although his sword is mighty and magical, he rarely uses it. Instead he uses his immeasurable strength and wit to overcome his foes and constantly defeat Skeletor. If you are a die‑hard He‑Man fan still to this day then read below.

2 Inigo Montoya’s Rapier

Wielded by: Inigo Montoya in The Princess Bride

Inigo is a straight‑shooting Spaniard and the child of a sword‑craftsman. Whilst learning the craft, Inigo’s father was approached by a unique man of nobility who requested a very custom and equally costly rapier; a jeweled rapier that would befit a six‑fingered man.

After the extensive completion of this sword, the six‑fingered man refused to pay the agreed amount for the rapier and subsequently murders young Inigo’s father right in front of him. The six‑fingered man left Inigo alive, but not before he gave him two scars, one across each cheek.

Romantic and steadfast, Inigo, in his life‑quest to avenge his father’s tragic and unwarranted death, would eventually track down the six‑fingered man and slay him with the very same rapier.

1 William Wallace’s Two‑Handed Sword

Wielded by: William Wallace in Braveheart

The character of William Wallace was magnificently portrayed by Mel Gibson in this epic film. I remember watching the movie for the first time and my jaw dropped when I saw that massive sword strapped to his back as he rode his horse around his fellow countrymen in preparation for battle. Although the film is a classic a lot of the actual facts about the real life William Wallace have been lost.

It is known that Wallace was a fighter against the oppressive English rule during the 1200’s, but the huge sword used in the movie by Gibson was most likely never actually used by the real William Wallace. The real William Wallace’s sword is on display in Stirling, Scotland at The National Wallace Monument and it looks nothing like what is seen in the movie. That doesn’t stop this huge two‑handed sword from being an awesome weapon though!

While we’ve covered many iconic blades, one cannot forget the ultimate sci‑fi weapon that has become synonymous with the galaxy‑far‑away universe.

Wielded by: The Jedi and Sith in the Star Wars saga

Come on now! You didn’t really think that I would leave this awesome weapon off the list did you? While the blade is not made of metal like the other 10 this weapon could not be ignored.

When one thinks of Star Wars the lightsaber should spring immediately to mind. Luke had one, Vader had one, Yoda had one; the one single weapon that you need after you choose to pursue a life working with the power of the force is a lightsaber, no matter which side of the force you choose.

Contributor: Brotherman