Ankh of Life

A cross with a loop-shape on the top, the ankh is a symbol of life revered by the ancient Egyptians.

Osafune Katana

Osafune was the largest, and one of the most prestigious sword-smithing schools in ancient Japan, founded by Mitsutada in the mid-Kamakura period.

Badelaire

A large, heavy scimitar.

Barzai's Scimitar

Barzai's Scimitar is the Badelaire in the Japanese version - It is a scimitar of bronze with an ebony hilt that appears in the Necronomicon.

Basilard

Taken from the encyclopedia: "A medieval dagger having a tapering blade with straight transverse quillons and a T-shaped pommel."

Bastard Sword

Also known as "Hand and a half" swords, these were essentially swords which were designed to be usable with either a one handed or two handed grip. Not quite a one handed sword, not quite a two handed sword, they became known as bastard swords.

Bibuti

This is one of the subweapons found only in Symphony of the Night. These are holy ashes from India, also known as Fibuti. Sai Baba, an often reincarnated eternal "love" or spirit, who is a real man living today, blesses the ashes of the cremated dead (including animals) and it becomes holy. Many people in India carry satchels of this ash, which is perfumed with lilac and other sweet smells, and often place it on their foreheads and the foreheads of others for good fortune. You ingest the ash, by small portions, to cure any and every ailment. You are encouraged to "recharge" this ash regularly through repeated blessings from Sai Baba or other members of the faith. Typical prayer or even greeting for the members of the faith is the "Sai Ram". This greeting or prayer almost always involves Bibuti or Fibuti in one form or another. The usage of this ash dates back hundreds of years, when it was believed to ward off evil, just like Holy Water.

Bwaka Knife

African throwing knife.

Chakram

Circular indian throwing weapon. Looks sort of like those Nerf throwing toys. Thrown either like a Frisbee, or from being released after being twirled around the smooth inner edge by the fingers. Often worn around turbans. Also Xena's throwing weapon.

Claymore

A Scottish innovation, it could be used with either one or two hands, and was around 55 inches in length with a double edged blade. For more examples rent Braveheart. Also a kind of land mine, but that's entirely unrelated.

Crissaegrim

Mountain peaks south of Gondolin, from Tolken's The Silmarillion. This sword is known as the Valmanway in the Japanese version, and is translated as such in Aria of Sorrow.

Cutlass

A slightly curved one handed sword which can be anywhere from 25 to 40 centimeters in length. Its distinctive feature is the special hand guard which offers a much greater area of protection than a rapier or a saber.

Damascus Sword

Presumably a sword made from Damascus steel, a famous alloy known for its exceptional strength and flexibility, as well as its distinctive shimmery appearance. There is a (completely untrue) story about Sir Richard the Lionhearted trying to impress Saladin by taking his broadsword and cleaving an anvil in half. Saladin simply laid a silk scarf over the blade of his Damascus sword and it fell to the ground in two halves.

Danslef

The Gurthang was known as the Dainslef, which was a sword in Norse mythology very similar to the Tyrfing. It requires blood to wield, although it will not kill the user. It also guarantees victory.

Dark Blade

"Glamdring," the other sword found in the troll cave in The Hobbit, alongside "Orcrist." Claimed by none other than Gandalf the Grey.

Egil's Helmet

The Dragon Helm was known as Egil's Helmet. Egil was one of the most famous vikings of the 10th century.

Elven Cloak

A reference to Lords of the Rings. Elven cloaks were given to the eight memebers of the Fellowship of the Ring in Lothlorien. They were greyish in color and clasped with a leaf shaped brooch. They would take on the hue of any shade or shadows and made the wearers exeedingily difficult to spot, even in the open.

Estoc

A two-handed sword especially designed to be used in a thrust. The thrusting technique was used to penetrate (hah!) an opponent's platemail. These were often banned in formal tournaments due to their uncommon lethalness (that is, in fact, a word.)

Falchion

These are some of the less common types of swords, and were developed from cleavers used in butchery. They typically had one edge with a rounded tip, and were used against lighter armored infantry.

Familiars

Said to be summoned by witches, popular belief was that the devil would offer lesser demons as servants. Capable of assuming any shape they wished, they are commonly pictured as black cats. Other typical familiars are owls, bats, and dogs.

Firebrand

Labeled as the sword of Oberon. Oberon is the Lord of the Faeries in William Shakespear's fantasy play A Midsummer Nights Dream, and rules the Fey folk along with his lady Titania, also known as Queen Mab. (Oberoan is really a lot more badass than he sounds.) His popularity is such that he has also made guest appearances (as himself) in such works as Neil Gaiman's Sandman and Disney's Gargoyles.

Fist of Tulkas

Said to be associated with "Tulkas the Valar." A reference to the The Silmarillion, the Valar are the equivalent to angels. Tulkas, while not the king of the Valar, was the most physically powerful. His mental definciencies, in comparison to his fellow gods, prevented him from holding a higher postion of authority. He would fight bare handed, making this namesake weapon an appropriate one. He once punched Morgoth, the 'devil' Vala, right in the face.

Flamberge

Two handed weapon with a long, wavy blade. It was especially popular in Germany between the 15th and 17th centuries.

Gladius

Literally meaning "sword," the weapon used by the gladiators of ancient Rome.

Gram

In the Volsung Saga of Norse mythology, Gram was the name of a sword given by Odin to Sigmund. It was later passed on to Sigurd, the hero of the legend. Its name means "grief". It is also a mountain peak from Lord of the Rings.

Gurthang

Sword from The Silmarillion, reforged from another sword known as Anglachel. The name means "Iron of Death", Gurthang is actually Turi'n's sword that helped earn him the name Mormegil.

Holbein Dagger

Named for Hans Holbein, a German painter and engraver who specialized in religious works. During his career he created a series of woodcuts, published in 1538, known as the "Dance of Death," depicting eeries scenes of skeletons interacting with people in their daily lives. This weapon is known as "Hayawaza's Short Sword" in the Japanese verison, though who Hayazawa is could be anyone's guess.

Terminus Est

Apparently a hotel in Paris. Also Latin for "The End", which probably has more relevance, as in the game it's an "executioner's sword."

Rapier

A straight, narrow sword used mainly for thrusting, rather than slashing. This blade was the gentleman's weapon of choice during the Renaissance, and no self-respecting fellow would go out without one strapped to his hip. Also a popular choice for actors engaging in on-stage swashbuckling.

Saber

A heavy, curved blade, intended for use on horseback. As it is primarily used for slashing, it is only sharpened on one edge.

Masamune/Muramasa

Masamune was a sword maker...in fact, if you have enough money, you could possibly buy a Masamune, the same way you could buy a Stradivarius violin. The Masamune of legend is said to have contended with Muramasa, another sword maker. They both made a sword, Masamune and Muramasa, and they were both excelent blades. They were put to a test: the blades were stood in a stream...leaves floating on the river's surface all flocked to the Muramasa and were cut in half by it, while leaves all floated around the Masamune. It is for that reason that the Masamune was called the holy sword, because while it could do violence, its power was in avoiding it, while Muramasa attracted violence like a magnet

Tyrfing

The cursed sword. A sword made by dwarves, once drawn, it cannot be sheathed unless it kills a man. Taken from the Hervarar saga (translation by Christofer Tolkien [not the famous one, his son actually]): At sunset he (the king Svafrlami) saw a great stone, and beside it two dwarfs. The king drew his graven sword over them, and with that sign held them outside the stone. They begged him to spare their lives, and Svafrlami asked them what their names were. One said he was called Durinn, the other - Dvalinn. Svafrlami knew that these were the most skillful of all dwarves, and he laid this charge upon them, that they should make a sword for him, the best their skill could devise... On the appointed day Svafrlami returned to the stone, and the dwarfs delivered over to him the sword; it was very beautiful. But when Dvalinn stood in the doors of the stone, he said: "May your sword, Svafrlami, be the death of a man every time it is drawn, and with it may three of the most hateful deeds be done; may it also bring you your death!" Then Svafrlami struck at the dwarf with the sword, and the ridges of the blade were hidden in the stone; but the dwarf leapt back into it. Svafrlami kept the sword and called it Tyrfing.

Mablung Sword

Refers to Mablung of the Heavy Hand (from The Silmarillion), a captain of Doriath and friend of Tu'rin who was slain in the dwarven assault on Menegroth.

Shotel

Traditional sword of Ethiopia, it's shaped like a big sickle in order to help get around an opponent's shield.

Talwar

Curved Indian longsword, very popular in the Ys series of games. Also seen spelled Talwarl and Tulwar.

Nakamura

Japanese Swordsman from the mid 1800's.

Takemitsu

A bamboo sword, commonly bamboo swords are used to practice various martial arts, typically kendo or kenjutsu. Toru Takemitsu is also the name of a famous japanese musician.

Runesword

Runes, or other symbols were often carved on weapons for use as enchantments, although I don't think there were any runes for "Fly out of hand and return like boomerang". Runes themselves were characters from the Norse alphabet. The alphabet was composed of 16 runes and being able to read and write them was a skill known by very few people. Consequently they became associated with mysticism as well as communication.

Icebrand

Described in the game as the "Ice Sword of Mim". Mim was a rather obnoxious dwarf from The Silmarillion.

Sword of Hador

Another reference to The Silmarllion . The House of Hador was known as one of the Three Houses of Men: Hador was better known for his helm.

Staurolite

A mineral famous for its crystals that form the shape of a cross.

Joseph's Cloak

From the bible, there was a man named Jacob who had twelve sons. His favorite, Joseph, was hated by most of his brothers. Joseph also had a fancy cloak of many colors given to him by his father to signify that he was the best (that is why the cloak cycles colors in the game.) When his brothers tried to kill him (and eventually sell him into slavery) they took the cloak and ripped it. The story was turned into a god-awful musical, "Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat".

Marsil

Narsil, sword of Elendil, later reforged for Aragorn, yet another Lord of the Rings reference.

Mormegil

Mormegil is actually the name given to Tu'rin Turambar (a human) in The Silmarillion when he fought with the Elves of Nargothrond. He was given the name by his enemies, which means "Black Sword", because his sword, Gurthang, was in fact black.

Ring of Varda

The Ring of Varda is a very difficult, but powerful item to obtain. The description is "Golden ring to rule over all!" - an obvious reference to Lord of the Rings. However, this is one messed up reference. Varda, known as Elbereth in The Lord of the Rings, was the Vala who created the stars. Why a holy goddess would have a ring with a skull on it, I can't imagine. Plus, the comment sounds more like a reference to the One Ring in the Lord of the Rings. However, the One Ring was a plain band, like a wedding ring, unless it was heated, when it would show letters written on the outside and inside.

Thunderbrand

The Thunderbrand is the sword of Indra, Hindu god. In addition to being the leader of the gods, he is also the god of thunder and storms. His sword is called the Vajra, which is supposed to be a lightning bolt.

Neutron Bomb

Also known as an "Enhanced Radiation Warhead" a neutron bomb is a special kind of nuclear weapon that generates a minimal amount of heat and explosive energy, but a great deal of lethal radiation. A bit of an odd device to find in a Transylvanian castle in 1796.

Knuckle Duster

Another term for brass knuckes, a metal weapon worn over the hand to aid in punching.

Luminus

Also known as "Orcrist" in the Lord of the Rings mythos. One of a pair of swords found in a lair of trolls in The Hobbit. Orcrist was the sword of Thorin.

Ring of Feanor

Yet another reference to The Silmarillion , Feanor was the greatest craftsmen among all of the elves. He created the Silmarils, powerful jewels which could capture energy. His skill of creation was only matched by his arrogance, and his brash nature eventually cost him his life as well as placing a doom on all of the Noldor elf race. Feanor's grandson, Celebrimbor, would evenually craft the famous Rings of Power.

Ring of Ares

Ares is the Greek god of War, also known as Mars to the Romans, the hot-headed son of Zeus and Hera.

Ring of Arcana

"Arcanum" means "secret" or "mystery" and arcana is the plural form. Not relating to the ring in the game, an arcanum can also mean an elixir.

Nauglamir

This necklace was a gift from the dwarves to Finrod Felagund, their employer. Also from The Silmarillion. Became highly sought after later in history once one of the Silmarils (gems of great power and importance) was set in it.

Magic Missle

Seems to come from the Dungeons and Dragons RPG.

Sword of Dawn

The Sword of Dawn comes from Michael Moorcock's Hawkmoon stories, where it summons an entire legion of warriors on occasion, much like the sword in the game (called the Dawn Warriors.)

Mourneblade

Mourneblade is the twin to Stormbringer, the demonic soul-drinking sword used by Elric, hero of several of Michael Moorcock's novels.

Meginjord

The Meginjord replaces the Covenent Stone - this was a girdle worn by Thor to increase his already amazing strength.

Lemuria Sword

The Mablung Sword was called the Lemuria Sword in the Japanese version. Lemuria is an ancient civilization similar to Atlantis, although evidence to their existence is fairly rare.

Sword of Helge

The Sword of Hador is known as the Sword of Helge. Helge was yet another figure from Norse history (or possibly mythology.)

Katzbalger

Known as the Broadsword in the American version.

Vorpal Blade

From a poem in "Through the Looking Glass and What Alice Found there", by Lewis Carol. For those too lazy to get the book, here is the poem, courtesy of Everything2.com: 'Twas brillig, and the slithy toves Did gyre and gimble in the wabe; All mimsy were the borogoves, And the mome raths outgrabe. `Beware the Jabberwock, my son! The jaws that bite, the claws that catch! Beware the Jubjub bird, and shun The frumious Bandersnatch!' He took his vorpal sword in hand: Long time the manxome foe he sought-- So rested he by the Tumtum tree, And stood awhile in thought. And as in uffish thought he stood, The Jabberwock, with eyes of flame, Came whiffling through the tulgey wood, And burbled as it came! One, two! One, two! And through and through The vorpal blade went snicker-snack! He left it dead, and with its head He went galumphing back. `And has thou slain the Jabberwock? Come to my arms, my beamish boy! O frabjous day! Callooh! Callay!' He chortled in his joy

Yagyu Shuriken

This is the name of the Buffalo Star in Nocturne in the Moonlight. It must be a special kind of shuriken, because it also pops up in Final Fantasy Tactics.

Yasutsuna

A famous swordsmith who popularized the Tachi. His most famous sword is the "Doji-giri", or monster cutter. A Tachi, by the way, is a longer version of the standard katana, a slightly curved sword with a single razor sharp edge.

Tonfas

A weird translation error - the weapons known as Tonfas were turned into Nunchakus in the English release. In any case, Tonfas are those weapons that look like police batons, with a little handle. Talim from Soul Calibur 2 uses these.

Zwei Hander

Literally meaning "two hander," a two-handed sword used by a type of German soldiers called the Landsknects Doppelsoldners. The Landsknects were North German mercenaries, and the Doppelsoldners were the front-line warriors who had the dubious honor of charging the opposing side's pikemen. In exchange they would get paid double (and get to carry around a sweet-looking sword.)

The following are from Aria of Sorrow:

Ascalon

A city in Palestine. It is also the named of the sword wielded by Saint George, who used it to slay the dragon in Coentry, England.

Balmung

A magical sword used by Odin in Norse mythology. It was stuck inside an oak tree known as Branstock, and Odin poses a challenge - whoever could draw the sword from the tree would be victorious in war. The youngest of the Volsung princes, known as Sigmund, was the one who succeeded.

Burtgang

This is probably Blutgang, the sword of the norse giant Heime. It means "blood fetcher".

Claimh Saolias

"Claiomh Solais", means "sword of light" in Celtic.

Durandal

An unbreakable sword that was carried by Roland when he served King Charlemagne (read your European history.)

Hrunting

The sword given to Beowulf by Unferth to kill Grendel's mother. Unfortunately, it proves useless in combat.

Kaladbolg

Actually spelled Caladbolg, it was the sword of the Irish hero Cu Chulainn. It is thought to be the inspiration or originator of King Arthur's Excalibur.

Laevatain

Laevateinn, wielded by Surt at Ragnarok in Norse mythology.

Tallhammer

This is meant to be Mjolnit, Thor's hammer. It is so powerful, its strike sounds like thunder.

Mystletain

Probably meant to be the planet called "mistilteinn" (mistletoe) The invincible Baldur was showing off his might by daring people to throw objects at him, and he would laugh it off. However, the one thing he was vulnerable to was a planet from this mistilteinn plant. The demon Loki tricked the blind god Hother into throwing it at Baldur, killing him.

Rahab

A Jewish demon that lived in the water. Pretty much close to the Levaiathan, the gigantic sea dragon. The water demon never carried a sword, so the link is a bit questionable.

Joyeusu

This sword of Charlamagne is also known as the Fusberta Joyosa. Other swords are the Closamont and Flamberge.

Vjaya

"Vijaya" means "sword" in Hindu.

Milican's Sword

No one really knows, but there was one of these in Symphony of the Night as well. It was simply renamed the "Stone Sword" there.

Gungner

Odin's spear that can penetrate absolutely anything.

Partizan

Essentially a very long sword on a long pole, used by the English.

Gabolg

Gae Bolga, a five pronged spear that has five more prongs on it that open when it enters the body. Used by Celtic hero Cu Chulainn against Ferdia, the horn-skinned warrior.

Spear of Longinus

While Jesus Christ was suffering on the crucifix, a Roman soldier stabbed him in the side to put him out of his misery. This man is Longinus, although he is never specifically named in any version of the Bible I've seen. The spear is considered a holy artifact, and is the "Spear of Destiny" from the Wolfensetein 3D games. It also makes a rather silly appearance in Evangelion. It's misspelled "Ronginus" in the English version.

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History - Symphony of the Night/Aria of Sorrow Weapon Origins