Tae Kwon Do Information

• Tae Kwon Do
• Ranks, Belts, & Promotions
• Meaning of Belts
• Tenets
• Student Oath
• The Korean Flag
• Patterns
• Training Secrets
• Student / Do-Jang Relationship

What does Tae Kwon Do mean?

Taekwon-Do is a version of unarmed combat designed for the purpose of self-defense.  It is more than just that, however.  It is the scientific use of the body in the method of self-defense; a body that has gained the ultimate use of its facilities through intensive physical and mental training.
 

Translated literally "Tae" stands for jumping or flying, to kick or smash with the foot. "Kwon" denotes the fist-chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. "Do" means an art or way of life.

The founder of Taekwon-Do:  General Choi Hong Hi

Meanings of Belt Colors:

• White:  Signifies innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.

• Yellow:  Signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundation is being laid.

• Green:  Signifies the plant's growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop.

• Blue:  Signifies the Heaven, toward which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.

• Red:  Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.

• Black:  Opposite of white, therefore, signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

Tenets of Taekwon-Do

• Courtesy

• Integrity

• Self-control

• Perseverance

• Indomitable spirit

Student's Oath

• I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do.

• I shall respect the instructor and seniors.

• I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.

• I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.

• I shall build a more peaceful world.

The Korean Flag symbolizes much of the thought and philosophy of the Orient. The symbol, and sometimes the flag itself, is called T'ae Kuk.

Depicted on the flag is a circle divided equally and locked in perfect balance. The red section represents the Yang (plus) and the blue section the Um (minus), an ancient symbol of the universe which originated in China. These two opposites express the dualism of the cosmos: fire and water, day and night, dark and light, construction and destruction, masculine and feminine, active and passive, heat and cold, plus and minus, and so on.

The central thought in the T'ae Kuk indicates that while there is a constant movement within the sphere of infinity, there are also balance and harmony.

Three bars at each corner also carry the ideas of opposition and balance. The three unbroken bars stand for heaven; the opposite three broken bars represent the earth; the two bars with a broken bar in-between symbolize fire; the opposite is the symbol of water.