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Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art of
self-defense, using bare hands and
feet. Tae Kwon Do literally means
"hand, foot, and way of life." It was
developed centuries ago by Korean
monks, who were not allowed to carry
weapons, as a means to protect
themselves. Today many people find
that there are many other benefits to
be gained from training in Tae Kwon
Do, including weight control, improved
flexibility, increased stamina, and
strong mental focus.
Tae Kwon Do is still actively practiced
by Buddhist monks in Korea today.
self-defense, using bare hands and
feet. Tae Kwon Do literally means
"hand, foot, and way of life." It was
developed centuries ago by Korean
monks, who were not allowed to carry
weapons, as a means to protect
themselves. Today many people find
that there are many other benefits to
be gained from training in Tae Kwon
Do, including weight control, improved
flexibility, increased stamina, and
strong mental focus.
Tae Kwon Do is still actively practiced
by Buddhist monks in Korea today.
Frequently Asked Questions
As with any art whose origin dates back to early times, the exact history of Tae Kwon Do is subject to
debate. Most historians, however, agree on the basic facts.
Tae Kwon Do, often referred to as taekwondo, originated over two thousand years ago in Korea.
Three ancient kingdoms have been identified as central to the origin of Tae Kwon Do: Kokooryo,
Baekjae and Silla. The Kokooryu Kingdom, founded by Kojoomong, existed from approximately 37
BC to 668 AD. Paintings of men engaging in what appears to be martial arts have been discovered
in Korea, and have been dated back to the Kokooryu Kingdom.
The Silla Kingdom was founded by Park Hyuk Kusae in 37 BC and lasted until approximately 935
AD. Although the Silla Kingdom was the smallest of the three kingdoms and somewhat primitive, the
origin of Tae Kwon Do is traced back to this kingdom. The Hwa Rang Do, a military organization
consisting of noble youth, practiced martial arts. Most historians credit the Hwa Rang Do with
originating Tae Kwon Do. The honor code of the Hwa Rang Do is believed to have given rise to the
philosophical basis of Tae Kwon Do.
The third kingdom, Baekjae, existed from approximately 18 BC until 600 AD. The Baekje tribe, led by
Onjo, fled the Kokooryo and formed its own kingdom. The Soo Sa system of Baekjae is believed to
have been comparable to the Hwa Rang Do, and participated in the kingdom's defense through the
use of martial arts.
The early forms of Tae Kwon Do differed from kingdom to kingdom, and were referred to by various
names,including Soobak, Kwonbak, Bakhi, Dangsoo, Taesoo and Kongsoo. Soobak was the
predominant form of Korean martial art from 600 AD until 1400. Starting in the 1300's, Soobak
became Taekyon. Taeyon remained the predominant Korean martial art until 1909, when Japan
invaded Korea. During the Japanese occupation, Korean martial arts were suppressed, and
Japanese style martial arts were promoted.
Upon Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation in 1945, the modern history of Tae Kwon Do
began. Korean martial artists sought to rid their art of Japanese influence, and to return to their own
traditions. Numerous styles of Korean martial arts developed, including Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk
Kwan, Yun Moo Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, Oh Do Kwan,Ji Do Kwan, Chi Do Kwan and Song Moo
Kwan. Starting in 1955, the various schools or kwans merged under the name Tae Soo Do. The
name Tae Kwon Do was chosen in 1957 by the heads of the kwans, or martial art schools. Some
historians describe the Tae Kwon Do of that time as a Korean version of the Japanese martial art
Shotokan Karate.
Members of the Korean army were among the first students of Tae Kwon Do, joined soon thereafter
by the Korean air force and police. In 1961 the Korean Taekwondo Union was formed by the Soo
Bakh Do Association and the Tae Soo Do Association. The name was changed the following year to
the Korean Taekwondo Association. The International Taekwondo Federation was started in 1963.
Tae Kwon Do continued to grow, and by the 1970's was a popular form of martial art worldwide. The
World Tae Kwon Do Federation was started in 1973, and the first World Tae Kwon Do
Championship was also held that year.
Tae Kwon Do was introduced as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games held in Seoul, Korea
in 1988. Tae Kwon Do became an official Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympic Games.
debate. Most historians, however, agree on the basic facts.
Tae Kwon Do, often referred to as taekwondo, originated over two thousand years ago in Korea.
Three ancient kingdoms have been identified as central to the origin of Tae Kwon Do: Kokooryo,
Baekjae and Silla. The Kokooryu Kingdom, founded by Kojoomong, existed from approximately 37
BC to 668 AD. Paintings of men engaging in what appears to be martial arts have been discovered
in Korea, and have been dated back to the Kokooryu Kingdom.
The Silla Kingdom was founded by Park Hyuk Kusae in 37 BC and lasted until approximately 935
AD. Although the Silla Kingdom was the smallest of the three kingdoms and somewhat primitive, the
origin of Tae Kwon Do is traced back to this kingdom. The Hwa Rang Do, a military organization
consisting of noble youth, practiced martial arts. Most historians credit the Hwa Rang Do with
originating Tae Kwon Do. The honor code of the Hwa Rang Do is believed to have given rise to the
philosophical basis of Tae Kwon Do.
The third kingdom, Baekjae, existed from approximately 18 BC until 600 AD. The Baekje tribe, led by
Onjo, fled the Kokooryo and formed its own kingdom. The Soo Sa system of Baekjae is believed to
have been comparable to the Hwa Rang Do, and participated in the kingdom's defense through the
use of martial arts.
The early forms of Tae Kwon Do differed from kingdom to kingdom, and were referred to by various
names,including Soobak, Kwonbak, Bakhi, Dangsoo, Taesoo and Kongsoo. Soobak was the
predominant form of Korean martial art from 600 AD until 1400. Starting in the 1300's, Soobak
became Taekyon. Taeyon remained the predominant Korean martial art until 1909, when Japan
invaded Korea. During the Japanese occupation, Korean martial arts were suppressed, and
Japanese style martial arts were promoted.
Upon Korea's liberation from Japanese occupation in 1945, the modern history of Tae Kwon Do
began. Korean martial artists sought to rid their art of Japanese influence, and to return to their own
traditions. Numerous styles of Korean martial arts developed, including Chung Do Kwan, Moo Duk
Kwan, Yun Moo Kwan, Chang Moo Kwan, Oh Do Kwan,Ji Do Kwan, Chi Do Kwan and Song Moo
Kwan. Starting in 1955, the various schools or kwans merged under the name Tae Soo Do. The
name Tae Kwon Do was chosen in 1957 by the heads of the kwans, or martial art schools. Some
historians describe the Tae Kwon Do of that time as a Korean version of the Japanese martial art
Shotokan Karate.
Members of the Korean army were among the first students of Tae Kwon Do, joined soon thereafter
by the Korean air force and police. In 1961 the Korean Taekwondo Union was formed by the Soo
Bakh Do Association and the Tae Soo Do Association. The name was changed the following year to
the Korean Taekwondo Association. The International Taekwondo Federation was started in 1963.
Tae Kwon Do continued to grow, and by the 1970's was a popular form of martial art worldwide. The
World Tae Kwon Do Federation was started in 1973, and the first World Tae Kwon Do
Championship was also held that year.
Tae Kwon Do was introduced as a demonstration sport at the Olympic Games held in Seoul, Korea
in 1988. Tae Kwon Do became an official Olympic sport at the 2000 Olympic Games.
