The lang xian was a weapon well suited for defense, as it would be difficult for an opponent to assault the wielder without risking contact with the blades.

It was probably an invention of the Chinese general Qi Jiguang of the Ming Dynasty, who described it in his manual titled Jixiao Xinshu.

The manual describes that the lang xian acted as backup for the rattan shield bearers in a "mandarin duck formation".

In Korea, the weapon, known as nangseon, was mentioned as early as the 16th century martial arts manual Muyejebo, which was based on the Jixiao Xinshu.

'Brush spear'), which reduces the number of branches to four or five layers, sacrificing some defensive potential for increased maneuverability and lethality.