So I thought this meme (credit to @swordlesbianopinions) was always pretty delightful and a lil while back due to many things, but in part prompting from a couple of friends who know what a big sword nerd I am, I finally opted to throw together a list of sword designs I’d associate with the different pride flags (based primarily on the sword’s literal design, not history). Obviously, this is a lot of personal opinion, but hey, it’s all for fun. Enjoy!
“While You Were Being Heterosexual, I Studied The Blade“
(My original thread is on Twitter here.)
Lesbian first, bc that’s the OP’s orientation. Backsword. Beautiful, fast, delicate, single-edge, evolution of the Falchion meets fencing sword. Also, it was the design used for the Sword of Dios in Utena & Pearl in SU. (Pretty sure Utena just copied this: http://elfgrove.tumblr.com/post/111286499668)
Rainbow flag. The Flamberge. Large and flashy, slightly slower movement but powerful, memorable/iconic, double-edged, more of a display of the swordsmith’s skill than practical weapon, but damn they’re fun.
Also, have fun with the flaming puns.
Bisexual flag. Leaf-bladed Greek Xiphos or Celtic Hallstatt sword. Double-edged, smaller and swift, but heavy for its size. Lends to a wide range of use and style and has a great deal of creative variety in the hilt.
Pansexual flag. Trondheim Viking sword. Double-edged, a relative to the Greek Xiphos, longer, lighter, a bit more generic a profile, but good and highly versatile blade that lends towards minimal simplistic but elegant hilt designs and blade etchings and little crossguard if any.
Asexual flag. Rapier. Usually double-edged. Long, thin blades with a great deal of reach. Fast cut-and-thrust usage style. Iconic for the elaborate and decorative basket hilts that while pretty also deflect attacks to protect the wielder. Often paired with a parrying dagger. (Appropriate since Ace folk often “dual wield” multiple labels.)
More Color More Pride Flag. Ngombe. A traditional sword from the Congo region. Beautiful, strongly detailed, and large, used as a symbol of prestige and sometimes in ceremonial dance or as currency. Colonization spread now-debunked myths of it being used as a slave/animal execution tool.
Transgender flag. Kris/Keris. An Indonesian short sword. Asymmetrical. Double edged. Triangular guard that is a part of the blade. Beautifully detailed blades requiring complex smithing and are both a weapon & spiritual. They can be hard & intimidating or delicate pieces of art.
Agender flag. Kora. Single-edged. An unusual sword design wherein the inside curve is the sharp edge. The curve lends power and the flared end is both decorative and adds weight to the force of a swing. Designed for slashing rather than thrust-style fighting. Typically practically adorned but sometimes features artistic engraving on the blade and gilded details.
Non-binary flag. Khanda. Double-edged but most of one edge is encased in a strengthening plate. Features a widened flat tip that eliminates thrusting from usage. Effective for slashing & versatile for single or dual wielding. Pommel hook or strengthening plate can serve as a grip. Can be very practical in appearance or highly decorative and gilded.
Genderqueer flag. Scissors Katar. A variety of push dagger. These wide, beautifully decorative blades open into 3 via a spring (usually) mechanism. Despite colonialist rumor they exist to cause excessive harm, recent theory is the mechanism is actually defensive, meant to act as a sword catcher and breaker rather than for viciously gutting opponents..
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