What is "trishula"

The Trishula (, , , , Kannada:ತ್ರಿಶೂಲ, "triśūla" Telugu:త్రిశూలం , trisoolam, Malayalam: തൃശൂലം tr̥iśūlaṁ, Tamil: திரிசூலம் tiricūlam, or tri) is a type of South Asian trident also found in Southeast Asia. It is commonly used as a Hindu-Buddhist religious symbol. The word means "three spear" in Sanskrit and Pali.

In India and Thailand, the term often refers to a short-handled weapon which may be mounted on a danda or staff. But unlike the Okinawan sai, the trishula is often bladed. In Malay and Indonesian, trishula usually refers specifically to a long-handled trident while the diminutive version is known as a chabang or tekpi.