Taekwondo is a systematic Korean martial art that teaches more than just self-defense. Literally, Taekwondo means the way of foot and hand. "Do" is a Korean equivalent of the Chinese character "Tao", which means a way of doing things. "Tae" and "Kwon" are also the Korean equivalents of the Chinese characters that stand for foot and hand respectively. Loosely translated, the three characters Tae-Kwon-Do combine to mean the art of kicking and punching. However, Taekwondo also carries a much deeper meaning that cannot be translated literally. It implies discipline of the mind as well as the body, a way of life that is healthier and more productive, and not giving up in the face of adversity.
Taekwondo is characterized by unity: the unity of body, mind, and life. When you practice Taekwondo, you should calm your mind and synchronize your mind with your body's movements. By making Taekwondo a way of life, this harmony is extended to your life beyond the Dojang (the training hall). In Taekwondo the principle of physcial movement, the principle of mind training, and the principle of life become one and the same.
Traditional Taekwondo developed over a 5,000 year period in Korea, taking on several different names along the way. In began as a self-defense martial art and evolved as a way of training both mind and body. The Traditional Taekwondo you see practiced today was influenced in part by other styles of martial arts from the countries that surround Korea--Japan and China. Yet it differs from many other martial arts in its dynamic kicks and foot skills, as well as its emphasis on uniting mind, body, and life as a whole. Traditional Taekwondo is well-rounded -- it covers self-defense, sparring, basic movements and forms. Meditation is also a part of Traditional Taekwondo training.
Taekwondo as a sport is a more recent development. Olympic Taekwondo is -- as its name suggests -- part of the Olympic Games. At the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, Korea, Taekwondo was first included as a demonstration sport. It has appeared in each subsequent summer Olympics since then, and at the 2000 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia, Taekwondo became a full medal Olympic sport. Olympic Taekwondo is full-contact sparring where points are earned by kicking an opponent's torso or head.
History of TKD
Taekwondo is not only the most popular form of martial arts, but also one of the oldest. The origin of Taekwondo can be traced back to at least 37 BC. Drawings of people practicing what appears to be Taekkyon, Taekwondo’s predecessor, were found on the walls of two royal tombs of the Koguryo Dynasty dating from that time. Documents and historical records show that Taekkyon was practiced throughout the Koryo and Yi dynasties, with the implication that Taekwondo has been evolving for over 2000 years. Today, Taekwondo has been declared the Korean national sport. Over 40 million people in 120 different countries practice Taekwondo. Having been a demonstration event in the 1988 Seoul and 1992 Barcelona Olympics, Taekwondo was promoted to the status of a full medal event for the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Uniform and Ranking
The uniform that is worn in practicing Taekwondo is called the dobok. The dobok must be worn at all times when practicing Taekwondo. Both the dobok and the belt worn around the dobok have symbolic meaning and students of Taekwondo should always keep these meanings in mind when practicing Taekwondo. There are two types of Taekwondo dobok (uniform). Most Taekwondo Dobok are totally white, symbolizing purity. Later, when a student achieves the rank of black belt, the collar sections are trimmed with black, which symbolizes dignity.
As for the belts, the color changes with rank.
Each color has its own symbolic meaning:
- White: Innocence, without worldly knowledge
- Yellow: Gold, an element of the ground
- Green: A Plant growing from the ground
- Blue: The Sky, the arch of heaven
- Red: The Sun, the central body of the solar system
- Black: The Universe, all-encompassing
