HISTORY OF TAE KWON DO

About 1,300 years ago, the Korean Peninsula was divided into three kingdoms. The smallest of these kingdoms, the Silla, was constantly under invasion and harassment by it’s two more powerful neighbors. During the reign of King Chin-Hung in the Silla kingdom, the young aristocrat and warrior class formed an elite officer corps called Hwa Rang-Do. This warrior corps, in addition to training in spear, bow, sword, and hook, also trained themselves by practicing mental and physical discipline and various forms of hand and foot fighting. To harden their bodies, they climbed rugged mountains, swam the turbulent rivers in the coldest months, and drove themselves unmercifully to prepare for the task of defending their homeland. To guide themselves and give purpose to their knighthood, they incorporated a five-point code of conduct set forth by their country’s greatest Buddhist monk and scholar, Won-Kang:

1. Be loyal to your King.
2. Be obedient to your parents.
3. Be honorable to your friends.
4. Never retreat in battle.
5. Make a just kill.

The Hwa Rang-Do inspired the people of the Silla to rise and unite. The Korean Peninsula because united for the first time in its history from the victories of Silla.

During the period of Hwa Rang-Do, the original primitive art of hand and foot fighting was popular among the common people; the people had a high regard for the art. They often competed against one another as a game in festivals.

After the Silla kingdom, the Koguryo dynasty appeared. The art was known under the name Soobek-ki or Taek-Kyon. Annually, during the month of May, the King held a match of this form of unarmed combat. Certainly the Silla and Koguryo marked a flowering of the martial arts in Korea.

In 1955, the name of Tae Kwon Do was chosen as the new name of the national martial art by the Board Instructors, historians, and other prominent persons. The name was selected for its apt description of the art: Tae (feet), Kwon (hand), Do (art). Not only did this new name bear a close similarity to the ancient name of Taek-kyon, but the name gave a new sense of nationalism to the art.

Tae Kwon Do has been researched and developed in it’s style, which is primarily based on ancient Taek-Kyon, Soo-Bak, and Karate techniques. A myriad of techniques have been added, especially in the variety of hand techniques and the perfection of foot techniques. After 1,300 years, the Korean martial art has reached full maturation and has spread from a small band of aristocratic warriors to practitioners in more than 100 countries in the world. The combination of the old classical techniques and new modifications have resulted in a form of self defense and mental conditioning unrivaled in the modern world. Today there are approximately 20,000,000 men, women, and children worldwide who practice Tae Kwon Do.

TRADITION

The Tenets of Tae Kwon Do

Courtesy: To be thoughtful and considerate of others. Taekwondo students and instructors should be polite, and show consideration for others.



Integrity: To be honest and good. Taekwondo practitioners should live by a code of moral values and principles.



Perseverance: To never give up in the pursuit of one's goals. Students should welcome challenges, because challenges cause us to grow and improve.



Self-Control: To have control of your body and mind. A Taekwondo student should practice controlling his actions and reactions.



Indomitable Spirit: To have courage in the face of adversity. A Taekwondo student should never be dominated by, or have his spirit broken by another.