Memory Alpha
Register
Memory Alpha
No edit summary
(Background information)
(24 intermediate revisions by 12 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
  +
{{at|xx}}
[[File:Sword of Kahless.jpg|thumb|The Sword of Kahless, the first ''bat'leth'']]
 
 
[[File:Batleth, Barge of the dead.jpg|thumb|A ''bat'leth'' on the [[Barge of the Dead]]]]
The '''''bat'leth''''', or "'''[[sword]] of [[honor]]'''", was a traditional [[Klingon]] blade [[weapon]]. Resembling a crescent-shaped, two-ended scimitar, the ''bat'leth'' was wielded using three handholds along the outside edge of the blade. It was widely considered the most popular weapon among Klingon warriors.
+
The '''''bat'leth''''', or "'''[[sword]] of [[honor]]'''", was a traditional [[Klingon]] blade [[weapon]]. It was widely considered the most popular weapon among Klingon warriors.
   
  +
== Design details ==
According to [[Klingon mythology]], the first ''bat'leth'' was forged by [[Kahless|Kahless the Unforgettable]] in the [[9th century]]. Kahless cut a lock of his [[hair]] and dropped it into the lava of the [[Kri'stak volcano]], then plunged the burning lock into the [[Lake of Lusor]] and twisted it into a blade. After forging the weapon, he used it to fight the tyrant [[Molor]], and then gave it its name. This story was not recorded in public texts, but was passed down verbally by the Klingon clerics as a test of Kahless' return. ({{TNG|Rightful Heir}}) (''See also:'' [[The Story of the Promise]])
 
 
Resembling a crescent-shaped, two-ended scimitar, the ''bat'leth'' was wielded using three handholds along the outside edge of the blade. ({{TNG|Reunion}}, et al.) A traditional ''bat'leth'' was typically approximately 116 [[centimeter]]s long, with blades of composite ''[[baakonite]]'', weighed about five-point-three [[kilogram]]s, and had an exterior hand grip diameter of five centimeters. ({{DS9|Blood Oath}})
   
  +
== History ==
[[File:Batleth, Barge of the dead.jpg|thumb|A ''bat'leth'' on the [[Barge of the Dead]]]]
 
 
[[File:Sword of Kahless.jpg|thumb|The Sword of Kahless, the first ''bat'leth'']]
The [[Sword of Kahless]] was preserved by the Klingons following Kahless' death, until it was stolen by the [[Hur'q]] when they plundered [[Qo'noS]] about 500 years after his death. ({{DS9|The Sword of Kahless}})
 
 
According to [[Klingon mythology]], the first ''bat'leth'' was forged by [[Kahless|Kahless the Unforgettable]] in the [[9th century]]. Kahless cut a lock of his [[hair]] and dropped it into the lava of the [[Kri'stak volcano]], then plunged the burning lock into the [[Lake of Lusor]] and twisted it into a blade. After forging the weapon, he used it to fight the tyrant [[Molor]], and then gave it its name. This story was not recorded in public texts, but was passed down verbally by the Klingon clerics as a test of Kahless' return. ({{TNG|Rightful Heir}}) (''See also:'' [[The Story of the Promise]])
  +
 
The [[Sword of Kahless]] was preserved by the Klingons following Kahless' death, until it was stolen by the [[Hur'q]] when they plundered [[Qo'noS]] about five hundred years after his death. ({{DS9|The Sword of Kahless}})
   
[[Worf]] owned a ''bat'leth'' that had been in [[House of Mogh|his family]] for ten generations. After his mate [[K'Ehleyr]] was [[murder]]ed by [[Duras, son of Ja'rod|Duras]], Worf used this weapon to kill Duras in honorable combat. ({{TNG|Reunion}})
+
[[Worf]] owned a ''bat'leth'' that had been in [[House of Mogh|his family]] for ten generations. After his mate [[K'Ehleyr]] was [[murder]]ed by [[Duras, son of Ja'rod|Duras]], Worf used this weapon to kill Duras in honorable combat. ({{TNG|Reunion}})
   
 
During his [[time]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, Worf trained both [[William T. Riker]] and [[Beverly Crusher]] in the use of the ''bat'leth''. ({{TNG|The Quality of Life|The Pegasus}})
 
During his [[time]] aboard the {{USS|Enterprise|NCC-1701-D|-D}}, Worf trained both [[William T. Riker]] and [[Beverly Crusher]] in the use of the ''bat'leth''. ({{TNG|The Quality of Life|The Pegasus}})
   
  +
=== Alternate realities ===
A ''bat'leth'' was displayed among other trophies in the early-[[2280s]] mountain cabin of [[James T. Kirk]], as re-created by the [[Nexus]]. ({{film|7}})
+
A ''bat'leth'' was displayed, among other trophies, in the early-[[2280s]] mountain cabin of [[James T. Kirk]], as re-created by the [[Nexus]]. ({{film|7}})
   
  +
''In the [[alternate reality]], at least two Klingon warriors wielded ''bat'leths'' in a battle between a Klingon patrol, a {{USS|Enterprise|alternate reality}} away party led by {{alt|James T. Kirk}}, and "[[John Harrison]]" in the [[Ketha Province]].'' ({{film|12}})
A traditional ''bat'leth'' was typically approximately 116 [[centimeter]]s long, with blades of composite ''[[baakonite]]'', weighs about 5.3 [[kilogram]]s, and has an exterior hand grip diameter of 5 centimeters. ({{DS9|Blood Oath}})
 
  +
  +
{{bginfo|The props department which worked on ''Star Trek Into Darkness'' was very interested in revising the ''bat'leth'', if Director [[J.J. Abrams]] chose to include such a style of weapon in the movie. Prop master [[Andrew Siegel]] remembered, "''We really wanted to have that as an option for J.J. to use. In keeping with the style of all the other stuff, and the costumes, it was about updating the Bat'leth. Design-wise, it was pretty simple, because it's a shape that has been established, and we just refined it. Then it was just a matter of size, and making something that big that wouldn't kill someone in real life!''" ({{STM|173}}, p. 78)}}
   
 
== Appendices ==
 
== Appendices ==
 
=== See also ===
 
=== See also ===
 
* [[Bat'leth competition|''Bat'leth'' competition]]
 
* [[Bat'leth competition|''Bat'leth'' competition]]
* [[Order of the Bat'leth|Order of the ''Bat'leth'']]
+
* [[Order of the Bat'leth|Order of the ''Bat'leth'']]
  +
* ''[[Mek'leth]]''
   
 
=== Appearances ===
 
=== Appearances ===
Line 55: Line 64:
 
** {{e|Prophecy}}
 
** {{e|Prophecy}}
 
** {{e|Workforce, Part II}}
 
** {{e|Workforce, Part II}}
  +
* [[Star Trek films|Films]]:
* {{film|7}}
+
** {{film|7}}
  +
** {{film|12}}
 
</div>
 
</div>
   
=== Background ===
+
=== Background information ===
  +
==== Name ====
The ''bat'leth'' was originally designed by [[martial arts]] expert [[Dan Curry]], who also helped develop the intricate moves performed in its use. (''[[Star Trek Encyclopedia]]'')
 
  +
[[File:Dennis Madalone and Brian Bonsall.jpg|thumb|Training for a stunt involving ''bat'leth''s, during production on {{TNG|Firstborn}}]]
  +
Although this weapon has become known as a ''bat'leth'', it was initially to be named a ''bat'telh'', which the pronunciation guide from the final-draft script for {{TNG|Reunion}} recommends be pronounced "BAT-telth". The scripts which refer to it with this name include not only that for "Reunion" but also those of {{e|Night Terrors}}, {{e|New Ground}} and {{e|The Quality of Life}}. [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/181.txt] [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/191.txt] [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/210.txt] [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/235.txt]
  +
  +
In non-[[canon]] [[Klingonese]] devised by [[Marc Okrand]], the Klingon word for this weapon is '''''betleH''''', etymologically derived from '''''batlh 'etlh''''' (literally translated as "glory blade"). Stated "Reunion" co-writer [[Ronald D. Moore]], "''I think I pulled {{'}}''bat'leth''{{'}} from the dictionary by combining, like, the word for 'sword' and the word for 'honor,' and I think I literally combined them into {{'}}''bat'leth.''{{'}} So, I think that was kinda rooted in Marc's language.''" ("Reunion" [[audio commentary]], [[TNG Season 4 Blu-ray]])
  +
  +
==== Design ====
  +
Introduced in "Reunion", the ''bat'leth'' was originally inspired by comments from Worf actor [[Michael Dorn]], as he wanted his character's fighting style to be more [[martial arts]] than barbarian, which synced well with writer [[Ronald D. Moore]] thinking of the Klingons as akin to samurai. ({{STC|114}}, p. 59) "''You know, there was this desire to have a particular, cool Klingon sword for Worf to use, that would become his, sort of, signature weapon,''" remembered Moore, "''and Michael Dorn had actually always asked for this. He would always, like, say that he wanted a cool weapon that was just Worf's.''" ("Reunion" [[audio commentary]], [[TNG Season 4 Blu-ray]]) Dorn's remarks led Moore to think up the ''bat'leth'', which he later described as "a more distinct, stylized weapon." After conceiving of such a prop, Moore consulted [[Dan Curry]]. ({{STC|114}}, p. 59) A martial arts expert, Curry not only designed the ''bat'leth'' but also helped develop the intricate moves performed in its use. He noted, "''The script for 'Reunion' called for a special Klingon bladed weapon.''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 178)
  +
  +
Dan Curry wanted the new Klingon weapon to look relatively unique. "''I looked at some of the designs that were proposed and they were wonderful, but there was a degree of familiarity about them. And I thought to myself, 'Well, you know, it's not really my job to get in people's faces about this, but because I care passionately about martial arts, and I have a strong feeling for the ergonomics of bladed weapons, let's have something that we've never seen before.''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission]]'', p. 179)
  +
  +
Having always been irritated that films seemed to keep portraying weapons that were meant to look appealing but actually couldn't be handled practically, Dan Curry had been envisioning a pragmatic style of weapon for a long time, thinking of it as basically a staff weapon infused with Oriental influence. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 178; ''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission]]'', p. 179) Explained Curry, "''I'd been imagining a curved weapon partially influenced by Himalayan weapons like the kukri [the wickedly curved knife of the Gurkhas of Nepal, arguably the most renowned fighting knife in the world]. I was also thinking about the Chinese double ax, Chinese fighting crescents, and the Tai Chi sword. I combined elements of all those things in order to come up with an ergonomically sound weapon.''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 178) It was also important to Curry that the ''bat'leth'' could be held with either two hands or one hand. "''He wanted a weapon that you could hold, you know, in a variety of ways,''" offered Ron Moore, "''and have some interesting angles, on camera.''" ("Reunion" [[audio commentary]], [[TNG Season 4 Blu-ray]])
  +
  +
Dan Curry then began to put his ideas for the weapon into practice, sketching it out on a Postit note. ({{STC|114}}, p. 59) A small pencil drawing matching the eventual shape of the weapon but with very minor differences, this illustration was "on the back of a Paramount phone message note," in Ron Moore's words, and was sketched in Moore's office. ("Reunion" [[audio commentary]], [[TNG Season 4 Blu-ray]]) As such, the note ended up in his possession. ({{STC|114}}, p. 59; "Reunion" [[audio commentary]], [[TNG Season 4 Blu-ray]]) Once at his own home, Curry crafted a foam-core mock-up of how he envisioned the weapon. He proceeded by showing this item to Executive Producer [[Rick Berman]]. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission]]'', p. 179) The foam-core version of Curry's design was an admittedly flimsy prototype but was granted approval. "''And Rick liked it,''" Curry recalled. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 178)
  +
  +
The final draft of the "Reunion" script describes the weapon by saying, "''It is [a] semi-circular curved blade that branches to four points. It is about three feet wide. There is a terrible beauty about the blade [....] The bat'telh is held by two handles on the mid-exterior of the blade [....] The bat'telh can be used as either shield or sword.''" [http://www.st-minutiae.com/academy/literature329/181.txt]
  +
  +
The stage directions in the script of {{DS9|Blood Oath}} describe the the bat'leth in a similar way to the script of "Reunion": "''a semicircular curved blade which branches to four points. About three feet wide. It is held by two handles on the mid-exterior of the blade. It can be used as either a shield or a sword -- see TNG episode 'The Reunion'"''. (''[[Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion - A Series Guide and Script Library]]'')
   
  +
During at least one production meeting, Dan Curry became really animated with demonstrating how the ''bat'leth'' could be held, swung and used to disembowel someone. [[Michael Okuda]], who was another of the meeting's participants, noted with a laugh, "''We were all a little taken aback.''" ("Reunion" [[audio commentary]], [[TNG Season 4 Blu-ray]])
The Klingon word for this weapon is '''''betleH''''', etymologically derived from '''''batlh 'etlh''''' ("glory blade").
 
   
  +
==== Trivia ====
The Bat'leth appeared in the background in the ''{{w|Stargate SG-1}}'', sixth season episode "The Other Guys". [[John Billingsley]], who played [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Phlox]] on [[Star Trek: Enterprise|''Enterprise'']], also appears in the episode, as a Trek-obsessed scientist.
 
  +
At the time of its creation, nobody knew that the ''bat'leth'' was to later become a type of symbol for the Klingon species. (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 178) Over the years between its introduction in "Reunion" and its appearance in {{film|12}}, however, the ''bat'leth'' has become very well established. "''There's a lot of history about the Bat'leth,''" commented Andrew Siegel. "''It's a prop that ''[[Trekkies]]'' really like.''" ({{STM|173}}, p. 79) With a smile, Dan Curry observed, "''Now you seldom see a picture of a Klingon without a ''bat'leth'' in his hands.''" (''[[Star Trek: The Next Generation 365]]'', p. 178)
   
The Bat'leth also appeared in the first season of ''Spaced'', a show co-written by [[Simon Pegg]], who later played [[Montgomery Scott (alternate reality)|Scotty]] in {{film|11}}. In the episode "Ends", Jessica Hynes' character, Daisy, pokes Pegg's character, Tim, with it while he's using the telephone.
+
The ''bat'leth'' appeared in the background in the ''[[stargate:Stargate SG-1|Stargate SG-1]]'' sixth season episode "[[stargate:The Other Guys|The Other Guys]]". [[John Billingsley]], who played [[Doctor|Dr.]] [[Phlox]] on ''[[Star Trek: Enterprise|Enterprise]]'', also appears in the episode, as a scientist obsessed with ''[[Star Trek]]''.
   
A bat'leth strap from the episode {{e|Marauders}} was sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] on eBay. {{stala|9476}}
+
A ''bat'leth'' strap from the episode {{e|Marauders}} was sold off on the [[It's A Wrap! sale and auction]] on eBay. {{stala|9476}}
   
==External link==
+
=== External link ===
*{{NCwiki-title}}
+
* {{NCwiki-title}}
   
 
[[cs:Bat'leth]]
 
[[cs:Bat'leth]]
Line 76: Line 105:
 
[[es:Bat'Leth]]
 
[[es:Bat'Leth]]
 
[[it:Bat'leth]]
 
[[it:Bat'leth]]
  +
[[ja:バトラフ]]
  +
[[Category:Klingonese]]
 
[[Category:Hand-held weapons]]
 
[[Category:Hand-held weapons]]

Revision as of 18:37, 22 June 2014

AT: "xx"

Batleth, Barge of the dead

A bat'leth on the Barge of the Dead

The bat'leth, or "sword of honor", was a traditional Klingon blade weapon. It was widely considered the most popular weapon among Klingon warriors.

Design details

Resembling a crescent-shaped, two-ended scimitar, the bat'leth was wielded using three handholds along the outside edge of the blade. (TNG: "Reunion", et al.) A traditional bat'leth was typically approximately 116 centimeters long, with blades of composite baakonite, weighed about five-point-three kilograms, and had an exterior hand grip diameter of five centimeters. (DS9: "Blood Oath")

History

Sword of Kahless

The Sword of Kahless, the first bat'leth

According to Klingon mythology, the first bat'leth was forged by Kahless the Unforgettable in the 9th century. Kahless cut a lock of his hair and dropped it into the lava of the Kri'stak volcano, then plunged the burning lock into the Lake of Lusor and twisted it into a blade. After forging the weapon, he used it to fight the tyrant Molor, and then gave it its name. This story was not recorded in public texts, but was passed down verbally by the Klingon clerics as a test of Kahless' return. (TNG: "Rightful Heir") (See also: The Story of the Promise)

The Sword of Kahless was preserved by the Klingons following Kahless' death, until it was stolen by the Hur'q when they plundered Qo'noS about five hundred years after his death. (DS9: "The Sword of Kahless")

Worf owned a bat'leth that had been in his family for ten generations. After his mate K'Ehleyr was murdered by Duras, Worf used this weapon to kill Duras in honorable combat. (TNG: "Reunion")

During his time aboard the USS Enterprise-D, Worf trained both William T. Riker and Beverly Crusher in the use of the bat'leth. (TNG: "The Quality of Life", "The Pegasus")

Alternate realities

A bat'leth was displayed, among other trophies, in the early-2280s mountain cabin of James T. Kirk, as re-created by the Nexus. (Star Trek Generations)

In the alternate reality, at least two Klingon warriors wielded bat'leths in a battle between a Klingon patrol, a USS Enterprise away party led by James T. Kirk, and "John Harrison" in the Ketha Province. (Star Trek Into Darkness)

The props department which worked on Star Trek Into Darkness was very interested in revising the bat'leth, if Director J.J. Abrams chose to include such a style of weapon in the movie. Prop master Andrew Siegel remembered, "We really wanted to have that as an option for J.J. to use. In keeping with the style of all the other stuff, and the costumes, it was about updating the Bat'leth. Design-wise, it was pretty simple, because it's a shape that has been established, and we just refined it. Then it was just a matter of size, and making something that big that wouldn't kill someone in real life!" (Star Trek Magazine issue 173, p. 78)

Appendices

See also

Appearances

Background information

Name

Dennis Madalone and Brian Bonsall

Training for a stunt involving bat'leths, during production on TNG: "Firstborn"

Although this weapon has become known as a bat'leth, it was initially to be named a bat'telh, which the pronunciation guide from the final-draft script for TNG: "Reunion" recommends be pronounced "BAT-telth". The scripts which refer to it with this name include not only that for "Reunion" but also those of "Night Terrors", "New Ground" and "The Quality of Life". [1] [2] [3] [4]

In non-canon Klingonese devised by Marc Okrand, the Klingon word for this weapon is betleH, etymologically derived from batlh 'etlh (literally translated as "glory blade"). Stated "Reunion" co-writer Ronald D. Moore, "I think I pulled 'bat'leth' from the dictionary by combining, like, the word for 'sword' and the word for 'honor,' and I think I literally combined them into 'bat'leth.' So, I think that was kinda rooted in Marc's language." ("Reunion" audio commentary, TNG Season 4 Blu-ray)

Design

Introduced in "Reunion", the bat'leth was originally inspired by comments from Worf actor Michael Dorn, as he wanted his character's fighting style to be more martial arts than barbarian, which synced well with writer Ronald D. Moore thinking of the Klingons as akin to samurai. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 114, p. 59) "You know, there was this desire to have a particular, cool Klingon sword for Worf to use, that would become his, sort of, signature weapon," remembered Moore, "and Michael Dorn had actually always asked for this. He would always, like, say that he wanted a cool weapon that was just Worf's." ("Reunion" audio commentary, TNG Season 4 Blu-ray) Dorn's remarks led Moore to think up the bat'leth, which he later described as "a more distinct, stylized weapon." After conceiving of such a prop, Moore consulted Dan Curry. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 114, p. 59) A martial arts expert, Curry not only designed the bat'leth but also helped develop the intricate moves performed in its use. He noted, "The script for 'Reunion' called for a special Klingon bladed weapon." (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 178)

Dan Curry wanted the new Klingon weapon to look relatively unique. "I looked at some of the designs that were proposed and they were wonderful, but there was a degree of familiarity about them. And I thought to myself, 'Well, you know, it's not really my job to get in people's faces about this, but because I care passionately about martial arts, and I have a strong feeling for the ergonomics of bladed weapons, let's have something that we've never seen before." (Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission, p. 179)

Having always been irritated that films seemed to keep portraying weapons that were meant to look appealing but actually couldn't be handled practically, Dan Curry had been envisioning a pragmatic style of weapon for a long time, thinking of it as basically a staff weapon infused with Oriental influence. (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 178; Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission, p. 179) Explained Curry, "I'd been imagining a curved weapon partially influenced by Himalayan weapons like the kukri [the wickedly curved knife of the Gurkhas of Nepal, arguably the most renowned fighting knife in the world]. I was also thinking about the Chinese double ax, Chinese fighting crescents, and the Tai Chi sword. I combined elements of all those things in order to come up with an ergonomically sound weapon." (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 178) It was also important to Curry that the bat'leth could be held with either two hands or one hand. "He wanted a weapon that you could hold, you know, in a variety of ways," offered Ron Moore, "and have some interesting angles, on camera." ("Reunion" audio commentary, TNG Season 4 Blu-ray)

Dan Curry then began to put his ideas for the weapon into practice, sketching it out on a Postit note. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 114, p. 59) A small pencil drawing matching the eventual shape of the weapon but with very minor differences, this illustration was "on the back of a Paramount phone message note," in Ron Moore's words, and was sketched in Moore's office. ("Reunion" audio commentary, TNG Season 4 Blu-ray) As such, the note ended up in his possession. (Star Trek: Communicator issue 114, p. 59; "Reunion" audio commentary, TNG Season 4 Blu-ray) Once at his own home, Curry crafted a foam-core mock-up of how he envisioned the weapon. He proceeded by showing this item to Executive Producer Rick Berman. (Star Trek: The Next Generation - The Continuing Mission, p. 179) The foam-core version of Curry's design was an admittedly flimsy prototype but was granted approval. "And Rick liked it," Curry recalled. (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 178)

The final draft of the "Reunion" script describes the weapon by saying, "It is [a] semi-circular curved blade that branches to four points. It is about three feet wide. There is a terrible beauty about the blade [....] The bat'telh is held by two handles on the mid-exterior of the blade [....] The bat'telh can be used as either shield or sword." [5]

The stage directions in the script of DS9: "Blood Oath" describe the the bat'leth in a similar way to the script of "Reunion": "a semicircular curved blade which branches to four points. About three feet wide. It is held by two handles on the mid-exterior of the blade. It can be used as either a shield or a sword -- see TNG episode 'The Reunion'". (Star Trek: Deep Space Nine Companion - A Series Guide and Script Library)

During at least one production meeting, Dan Curry became really animated with demonstrating how the bat'leth could be held, swung and used to disembowel someone. Michael Okuda, who was another of the meeting's participants, noted with a laugh, "We were all a little taken aback." ("Reunion" audio commentary, TNG Season 4 Blu-ray)

Trivia

At the time of its creation, nobody knew that the bat'leth was to later become a type of symbol for the Klingon species. (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 178) Over the years between its introduction in "Reunion" and its appearance in Star Trek Into Darkness, however, the bat'leth has become very well established. "There's a lot of history about the Bat'leth," commented Andrew Siegel. "It's a prop that Trekkies really like." (Star Trek Magazine issue 173, p. 79) With a smile, Dan Curry observed, "Now you seldom see a picture of a Klingon without a bat'leth in his hands." (Star Trek: The Next Generation 365, p. 178)

The bat'leth appeared in the background in the Stargate SG-1 sixth season episode "The Other Guys". John Billingsley, who played Dr. Phlox on Enterprise, also appears in the episode, as a scientist obsessed with Star Trek.

A bat'leth strap from the episode "Marauders" was sold off on the It's A Wrap! sale and auction on eBay. [6]

External link

  • Template:NCwiki-title