The History of Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art and combat sport. Tae Kwon Do is the national sport of South Korea and sparring, kyeorugi, is an Olympic sporting event. In Korean hanja, means to destroy with the feet; kwon means "fist"; and do means "path" or "way". Hence, tae kwon do is loosely translated as "the way of the foot and fist".
Tae kwon do's popularity has resulted in the divergent evolution of the martial art. As with many other martial arts, Tae Kwon Do is a combination of combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, and philosophy.
Although there are great doctrinal and technical differences among Tae kwon do organizations, the art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, using the leg's greater reach and power to disable the opponent from a distance. In sparring, turning, front, reverse turning, and side kicks are often used, as well as the backfist and reverse punch; advanced kicks include jumping, spinning, sliding, and skipping kicks, often in combination. Tae Kwon Do training generally includes a system of blocks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks.
H.T.F Belt Ranking System and Meaning
White Belt (9th Grade)
The color white indicates that a person is "innocent", has no knowledge of Tae Kwon Do. The white-belt is automatically gained by taking Tae Kwon Do classes.
Low Yellow Belt (8th Grade)
Yellow Belt (7th Grade)
The color yellow indicates that the person is getting to know the basic techniques, this stadium is compared to a plant growing its roots.
The student going for yellow-belt is usually not skilled enough to show "Chayu daeryon" (non-contact sparring). Instead the student has to show "Sajoe" ("four-direction-movement", one specific technique shown to all directions).
Low Green Belt (6th Grade)
Green Belt (5th Grade)
The color green indicates that a student is growing as a Tae Kwon Do student. The color of the belt is compared to a plant growing its leaves.
Low Blue Belt (4th Grade)
Blue Belt (3rd Grade)
The color blue indicates that a student is reaching higher, like a plant that is growing towards the sky.
Low Red Belt (2nd Grade)
Red Belt (1st Grade)
The color red indicates danger. The student is warned to practice the control of his/her movements. The color red also warns an opponent.
Red Black
Black Belt (1st degree)
Black is the opposite of white and means the maturity of the student in the art. It also is an indication of being impenetrable for fear and darkness.
The South Korean Flag
History
The red and blue symbol has an origin that is entirely secular. It is derived by graphing the length of the sun's shadow. (If the series of lines are drawn radiating from the middle, as if regularly rotating a parchment impaled by a small shadow-casting stick each day, the design becomes apparent.)
Although affiliated with Taoism and called a "Yin-Yang" symbol today, its placement on the flag honors a venerable tradition of accurate record-keeping for the public benefit instated by King Sejong in the 13th century. Unlike the modern version, the depiction on the oldest flag is clearly true to the actual graph.
The placement of the four Trigrams today puts "Heaven" (Summer) at the upper left, "Water" (Autumn) at the upper right, "Earth" (Winter) at the lower right, and "Fire" (Spring) at the lower left. These are the four Trigrams affiliated with the seasons, thus, this arrangement is symbolic of the cycle of a year.
Tenets of Tae Kwon Do
Tae Kwon Do students should attempt to practice the following elements of etiquette:
1. To promote the spirit of mutual concessions.
2. To be ashamed of one's vice contempting that of others.
3. To be polite to one and other.
4. To encourage the sense of justice.
5. To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior.
In Tae Kwon Do, the word integrity assumes a looser definition than the one usually presented in Webster's Dictionary. One must be able to define right and wrong, and have the conscience, if wrong, to feel guilt.
There is an old Oriental saying, "Patience leads to virtue or merit." "One can make a peaceful home by being patient for 100 times." Certainly, happiness and prosperity are most likely brought to the patient person. to a achieve something, whether it is a higher degree or the perfection of a technique, one must set his goal then constantly persevere.
This tenet is extremely important inside and outside the dojang, whether conducting oneself in free sparring or in one's personal affairs. A loss of self-control in free sparring can prove disastrous to both student and opponent. An inability to live and work within one's capability or sphere is also a lack of self-control.
A serious student of Taekwondo will at all times be modest and honest. If confronted with injustice, he will deal with conflict without any fear or hesitation at all, with indomitable spirit, regardless of whosoever and however many the number may be.
Tae Kwon Do Student Oath
SIR
I shall observe
the Tenets of Tae Kwon do
I shall respect my Instructors and Seniors
I shall never misuse Tae Kwon Do
I shall stand for freedom and justice
I shall help build a more peaceful world
SIR