About Tang Soo Do

A Brief History of Tang Soo Do

It is important for instructors and students to know that Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do is one of the finest martial arts systems in the world. More important than physical technique is our system of character building, our philosophy, and our cultural heritage which literally draws upon wisdom developed over a thousand years.

Our forms, for instance, are not just imaginary defensive situations as in many other martial arts systems. Each of our forms is designed to develop certain functional systems of the body and mind in relationship to each other. We start as an external system, dependent on power and strength, and as we progress, we become an internal system, dependent on concentration, accuracy, control and "chi".

Tang Soo Do is not just a means of self defense. It is not a sport. It is a way of living that will benefit your moral character, your psychological state of mind, your philosophical approach to life, and your physical body as well. Translated literally, Tang Soo Do means "Art of the Knife Hand". it is more than just that however, it is the scientific use of the body in methods of self defense. The mastery of its secrets cannot be bought at any price other than serious and rigorous training.

Approximately 2,000 years ago in the southern part of the Korean peninsula there was a small kingdom constantly under invasion and harassment from its two more powerful northern neighbors. To preserve themselves, the young aristocrats of the kingdom formed a young office warriors club called the "Hwa Rang Dan". This was during the Silla Dynasty. The Hwa Rang Dan trained themselves by practicing mental and physical discipline throughout the year in the wild mountains and along the rugged seashore. To guide themselves, and give purpose to their knighthood, the Hwa Rang Dan incorporated a five point code of conduct:

1. Be loyal to your King.
2. Be obedient to your parents.
3. Be honorable to your friends.
4. Make a sensible kill.
5. Never retreat in battle.

The Hwa Rang Dan became known for their courage and skill in battle, gaining respect from even their most bitter foes. The strength they derived from their code enabled them to attain feats of valor that became legendary. Through those feats, they inspired the people of Silla to rise and eventually conquer the other kingdoms. After the victory of Silla, the Korean peninsula became united for the first time in history.

During the time of the Hwa Rang Dan, the original art of Soo Bak (foot fighting) was popular among the common people. This method of self defense in Korea was as old as the nation itself. Through the inspiration of the Hwa Wrang Warriors, the Korean people began to train and develop their art, Soo Bak Do, and formed the traditional martial art of their country.

Introduction to the Moo Duk Kwan

The martial art of Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do is relatively modern. Tang Soo Do is a composite style, being 60% Korean Soo Bak Do, 30% Northern Chinese and 10% Southern Chinese. Our kicking techniques, for which Tang Soo Do is famous, are based on Soo Bak Do. Soo Bak Do was first developed during the Silla Dynasty (618-935 AD) as we have just mentioned but enjoyed its flourishing during the Koryu Dynasty (935-1392 AD). Tang Soo Do is both a hard and soft style, deriving it's hardness in part from So Bak Do, and its soft flowing movements from the Northern Chinese systems.

The man who developed Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do, Grand Master Hwang Kee is a martial arts genius, having mastered Tae Kyun (another Korean system not related to Tae Kwon Do), and Soo Bak Do at the age of 22. At that time (1936) he traveled to Northern China. There he encountered a Chinese variation of martial artistry called the Tang method. From 1936 to 1945, he combined the Tang method and Soo Bak Do to create what is now known as Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do.

Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do is not a sport, though it has great combat applications. It is a classical martial art, its purpose is to develop every aspect of the self in order to create a mature personality who totally integrates his intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This total integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner.

Worldwide there are major Tang Soo Do organizations in more than 16 countries, there are roughly 200,000 Tang So Do students throughout the world and over 18,000 Dan holders (Navy Blue or Black Belts).

In Korea, the largest and strongest association within Tang So Do is the Moo Duk Kwan, which translated literally means “The Institute of Martial Virtue”. The Moo Duk Kwan was founded by Mr. Hwang Kee on November 3, 1945, at its present headquarters in Seoul, Korea. During the Korean conflict, the Moo Duk Kwan began its development and has continued to expand to its present position. Today, it is the largest style of Tang Soo Do, making it the largest single style of karate in the world.

The art of Tang Soo Do is taught in Korean high schools and universities. In the Korean military academies, it is a compulsory course, and is also widely taught in the basic training of military forces. Tang So Do has gained much respect throughout Korea, and Tang Soo Do students have been accorded high regard by Korean people because of the humility and modesty associated with them.

Principles of the Moo Duk Kwan

1. Every member should always seek truth and practice it.
2. Promote the highest moral character through the training of Tang Soo Do.
3. Respect and obey your parents, teachers and seniors.
4. Love your country and contribute to your community.
5. Develop both great confidence and humility and practice both inside and outside of class.
6. Do your best to promote intellectuality.
7. Do not hesitate to sacrifice yourself for justice.
8. Do your utmost to develop Tang Soo Do as an art.
9. Develop your endurance, and be calm and humble in mind.
10. Always remember that the ultimate purpose of Tang Soo Do is to promote both physical and mental health.

Karate as a Sport

Karate has definitely established a place in the world of sports. Blocking, kicking, and punching techniques all contribute to making karate a very exciting and competitive sport. Sport karate offers everything from individual form competition to controlled contact point matches to full contact professional events. The tremendous skill, control and discipline required in karate training, in addition to the perfection of padding and safety equipment, has made karate one of the safest contact sports.

Karate as an Art

By definition: Art is the perfecting of skills, knowledge and techniques to their ultimate proficiency.

Karate, as it applies to the art, is the perfecting of the skills, application of techniques, and knowledge as designed by the originators of each individual style. Furthermore just as good sportsmanship is important in sports, the spirit of martial arts is important in karate training. It is worthwhile to work toward the goal of becoming a total martial artist, not just a good fighter. As a craftsman strives to perfect his craft so too should a karate practitioner persevere to continually better himself in the art.

The difference between sports and martial arts philosophy is that sports are practiced for recreation, hobby or income, and the results are realized in victory or defeat. Karate is practiced for the purpose of self-defense and results could be realized in life or death.

Moo Duk Kwan Crest

As a whole, the emblem symbolizes the spreading of Moo Duk Kwan throughout Korea (and Asia) and then across the oceans to the six continents of the world.

• The 14 green laurel leaves represents the fourteen states of Korea, the advancement of peace and green belts.
• The three red seeds represent the "Three Thousand Li" (the distance running north and south in the "Land of the Morning Calm") and the red belts.
• The six seeds represent the six continents (beside Asia-Korea).
• The deep blue background represents the three oceans and the blue belts. Blue belts and black belts are synonymous.
• The fist represents Tang Soo Do and justice.

The character on the left of the circle is the Chinese word "Tang", the character on the right side of the circle is the Chinese word "Soo", the middle character is the Chinese word "Moo".

South Korean National Flag

The Republic of Korea national flag is red and blue on a white background. The white field stands for peace and the white clothing Koreans have traditionally worn. The red and blue represents the sun and moon.

The circle in the center of the flag is halved by an S shaped line. The circle of red and blue according to Korean interpretation represents the absolute and essential unity of everything in the universe. The divisions within the circle, the Um and Yang corresponding to the Chinese Yin and Yang which represents the eternal duality within nature, i.e. good and evil, male and female, night and day, being and not being. Duality within absolute unity is seen as the paradox of life that forever escapes human comprehension.

The symbolism of the flag is not intended to express any one specific meaning but rather to embrace all the contradictory and varied meanings of the universe and to stimulate the mind in contemplation. The four "Gye" (bar designs) in the corners of the flag, for example are given more than one meaning. They are: the four points of the compass, the four elements (earth, air, fire and water), and the four positions of the sun during a day. That there are only two kinds of bars; short and long; illustrates diversity that can emanate from basic simplicity. These symbols are capable of endless interpretation.

In total, the flag symbolizes the mysteries of the universe.

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