The History of Taekwondo

The word taekwondo means the way of the hand and the foot. The term has been used for the martial art since 1955. The roots of taekwondo as a martial art and way of life began approximately 2,300 years ago in Korea. Events in Korean history affected the evolution of taekwondo.

  1. Roots of Korean Martial Arts

    • Korea was divided into three kingdoms during the 6th century A.D. The kingdoms fought constantly with each other. The smallest kingdom was Silla. Records from Silla show a martial art with fighting stances and techniques similar to taekwondo.

    Chin Heung

    • Chin Heung was the 24th king of Silla. In an attempt to save Silla, Chin Heung formed a group of warriors called the HwaRang. The HawRang trained with both weapons and a martial art called SooBak. SooBak was a primitive form of martial arts that involved mostly foot techniques with some use of hands.

    Won Kang

    • Chin Heung asked for the help of Won Kang, a scholarly Buddhist monk. The king recognized the need for a unity and mental conditioning of the HwaRang. Won Kang took charge of the training.

    Won Kang’s Code of Ethics

    • As well as training the HwaRang, Won Kang formulated a code of ethics for the warriors. The code addressed loyalty to the king and obedience to parents. Also it noted the need for faith and honor among friends. Finally the code emphasized perseverance in battle.

    Joseon Dynasty

    • Martial arts became less popular during the Joseon Dynasty, which lasted from 1392 to 1910. Chinese influence increased and power shifted to civilian statesmen. Eventually martial art training was banned for all except the military. However, during the period, Korean King Jong Jo ordered that a manual of military arts be created. The manual included unarmed combat and provided a record of the techniques.

    Japanese Influence

    • The Joseon Dynasty ended with invasion of Korea by Japan in 1910. The ban of martial arts continued for all Koreans except the military. When peace treaties were signed between the two countries, Japanese martial arts were introduced to the curriculum of Korean public schools. The liberation of Korea in 1945 allowed the resumption of Korean martial arts.

    Modern Taekwondo

    • A board of prominent Korean citizens, historians and instructors met in 1955. The purpose was to standardize training and martial arts schools. The name taekwondo was adopted. The World Taekwondo Federation was established in 1973 and assumed various responsibilities including controlling testing and testing requirements while promoting the sport worldwide. Taekwondo was an official event at the 2000 Olympics in Australia.