TAE KWON DO

Our school teaches the Korean art of TAE KWON DO......

The history of Tae Kwon Do

     Tae Kwon Do is derived from many different fighting techniques taken from various arts such as, Palke, Soobak, Kwonbop, Okinawate, Taekyon, and Tang Soo.  They are believed to have come from India and spread throughout the east by Buddhist monks.  The monks developed a system of Self-defense to strengthen their mind and body as well as protect themselves from bandits and wild animals.  The monks introduced became known as Taekyon, which evolved in modern day Tae Kwon Do.

       In the year 686 A.D., the three kingdoms of Korea united into one call the Silla Dynasty. During this time, another group was formed called the Hwa-Rang-Do,  made up of young noble men. They were trained in military arts and had a strict code of ethics, which were honesty, bravery, loyalty and justice. These four code of ethics are very important and are sill very important TODAY.  The Hwa-Rang-Do and Taekyon were combined into one martial art that brought together mind, body and spirit.

        In 935 A.D., the Silla Dynasty was overthrown by the Koryo Dynasty.  The modern name Korea come from Koryo.  During this time, Taekyon thrived both in the military and with the people.  The Koryo Dynasty produced some of the greatest soldiers in Korea's history.

        In 1932, the Yi Dynasty disbanded the Hwa-Rang-Do, due to a change in religious and political beliefs.  At this time, only a few dedicated students continued to train in secluded areas.

        In 1910, the situation worsened when the Japanese invaded Korea and as part of an effort to break their spirit, forbid the practice of all Martial Arts.  In 1945, the Japanese were defeated.  After the war, the Koreans revived the Arts which were divided into five different schools: MooDuk Kwan, ChangMu Kwan, JiDo Kwan, KangDuk Kwan and ChungDo Kwan.  The leaders of the schools decided they needed a name to unify the Arts.  A man by the name of Choi Hong Hi, introduced the name TAE KWON DO.

        Tae meaning the Foot - Kwon meaning the Hand - Do meaning the Way.

        In 1955, it was agreed that Tae Kwon Do would be the name given to represent the Korean Art of Self-Defense.