History of Taekwondo

Before I get into the history of Taekwondo, I would like to define what it means. I

read the definition from many books and the one that I like best comes from the

book Comprehensive Asian Fighting Arts written by Donn F. Draeger and

Robert W. Smith. "Taekwondo is an empty-hand combat form that entails the

use of the whole body. Tae means "to Kick" or "Smash with the feet," Kwon

implies "punching" or "destroying with the hand or fist," and Do means "way" or

"method." Taekwondo thus, is the technique of unarmed combat for self defense

that involves the skillful application of techniques that include punching, jumping

kicks, blocks, dodges, parrying actions with hands and feet. It is more than a

mere physical fighting skill, representing as it does a way of thinking and a

pattern of life requiring strict discipline. It is a system of training both the mind

and the body in which great emphasis is placed on the development of the

trainee's moral character."Taekwondo is a martial art that in "todays" form of self

defense has evolved by combining many different styles of martial arts that

existed in Korea over the last 2,000 years and some martial arts styles from

countries that surround Korea. Taekwondo incorporates the abrupt linear

movements of Karate and the flowing, circular patterns of Kung-fu with native

kicking techniques. Over fifty typically Chinese circular hand movements can be

identified in modern Taekwondo.(1) A few of the earlier martial arts styles that

contributed to Taekwondo are: T'ang-su, Taek Kyon, also known as Subak, Tae

Kwon, Kwonpup and Tae Kwonpup. There are also influences from Judo,

Karate, and Kung-fu."The earliest records of Taekwondo practice date back to

about 50 B.C. During this time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla,

Koguryo, and Paekche. Tae Kyon ( also called Subak) is considered

the earliest known form of Taekwondo. Paintings from this time period have

been found on the ceiling of the Muyong-chong, a royal tomb from the Koguryo

dynasty. The paintings show unarmed people using techniques that are very

similar to the ones used by Taekwondo today.Although Taekwondo first

appeared in the Koguryo kingdom, it is the Silla's Hwarang warriors that are

credited with the growth and spread of Taekwondo throughout Korea. Silla was

the smallest of the three kingdoms and was always under attack by Japanese

Pirates. Silla got help from King Gwanggaeto and his soldiers from the Koguryo

kingdom to drive out the pirates. During this time a few select Sillan warriors

were given training in Taek Kyon by the early masters from Koguryo. The Taek

Kyon trained warriors then became known as the Hwarang. The Hwarang set up

a military academy for the sons of royalty in Silla called Hwarang-do, which

means "The way of flowering knight, or manhood." The Hwarang studied Taek

Kyon,

history, Confucian Philosophy, ethics, Buddhist Morality, and military tactics. The

guiding principles of the Hwarang warriors were loyalty, filial duty,

trustworthiness, valor, and justice, you could very much compare the Korean

Hwarang to the Japanese Samurai. The makeup