What is TaeKwon-Do?
Taekwon-Do, the mental training and the techniques of unarmed combat for self-defence as well as health, involving the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks and dodges with bare hands and feet.
“Tae”
Stands for jumping or flying, to kick or smash with the foot.
“Kwon”
Donotes the fist – chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist.
“Do”
Means an art or way – the right way built and paved by the saints and sages in the past.
Though it is a martial art, discipline, technique and mental training are the mortar for building a strong sense of justice, fortitude, humility and resolve.
Philosophy of Taekwon-Do
“Philosphy and guidelines which will be the cornerstone of Takewon-Do and by which all serious students of this art are encouraged to live.” – General Choi Hong Hi.
- Be willing to go where the going may be tough and do the things that are worth doing even though they are difficult.
- Be gentle to the weak and tough to the strong.
- Be content with what you have in money and position, but never in skills.
- Always finish what you begin, be it large or small.
- Be a willing teacher to anyone regardless of religion, race or ideology.
- Never yield to repression or threat in the pursit of a noble cause.
- Teach attitude and skill with action rather than words.
- Always be yourself even though your circumstances may change.
- Be the eternal teacher who teaches with the body when young, with words when old and by moral precept even after death.
Student Oath
- I shall observe the tenents of Takwon-Do.
- I shall respect the instructor and seniors.
- I shall never misue Taekwon-Do.
- I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.
- I shall build a more peaceful world.
System of Rank
The ITF ranking system consists of six solid color belts; white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.
Coloured belt ranks are defined as follows (from lowest to highest rank)
- 10th Gup – White Belt
Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do. - 9th Gup – White Belt with a yellow stripe
- 8th Gup Yellow Belt
Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid. - 7th Gup Yellow with green stripe
- 6th Gup Green Belt
Signifies the plant’s growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop. - 5th Gup Green with blue stripe.
- 4th Gup Blue Belt
Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses. - 3rd Gup Blue Belt with a red stripe.
- 2nd Gup Red Belt
Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away. - 1st Gup – Red Belt with black stripe.
Black belt ranks
- 1st Dan (degree)
Opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do.
Also indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear. - 2nd Dan (degree)
Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 2 years). - 3rd Dan (degree)
Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 3 years). - 4th Dan (degree)
International Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 4 years).
At this point, a person may become a “SaBum-Nim”. - 5th Dan (degree)
Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 5 years). - 6th Dan (degree)
Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 6 years). - 7th Dan (degree)
Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 7 years). - 8th Dan (degree)
Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 8 years). - 9th Dan (degree)
Grand Master.