Chakram

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The chakram (Devanāgarī: चक्रम) is a throwing weapon that was used by the ancient Indians; it is a flat metal ring with a sharp outer edge from 5 to 12 inches (13−30 cm) in diameter.

The word comes from Sanskrit and means round, circle, or wheel. Earliest references come from the Indian epics Mahabharata and Ramayana (here the Sudarshana Chakra is the weapon of the god Vishnu). It was used by Indian armies, mostly by Sikhs (who have it on at least one flag).

Because of its aerodynamic shape (similar to an aeroplane wing, Flying disc, or Aerobie), it is not easily deflected by wind.

[edit] The chakram in pop culture

A much larger (and purely fictional) version of the chakram has been used in many fantasy and martial arts media such as the popular TV series Xena: Warrior Princess — where the fictional character Xena of Amphipolis – the main character of the show – is able to throw her chakram great distances and cause it to ricochet off of surfaces to either hit her enemy or return to her.

In the novel "City of Bones", Hodge's preferred weapons are a series of metal chakram, which he can throw with expert skill and precision.