Taekwondo,
pronounced "Teh-Kwon-Do ", which means Way of the Hand
and Foot, has been around for about two thousand years.
It
is a Korean Martial Art based on the premise that every person has
the instinct to defend himself or herself against a sudden attack.
Taekwondo is famous for is use of kicking techniques.
The rationale being that the leg is the longest and strongest part
of the body, and kicks thus have the greatest potential to execute
powerful strikes.
As a Martial Art, Taekwondo stresses 5 rules to live by, Tenets.
Courtesy. Showing courtesy to all, respecting others, having manners as well as maintaining the appropriate etiquette at all times, both within and outside the dojang
Integrity. Means not only to determine what is right or wrong but also having the conscience to feel guilt if one has done wrong and to have the integrity stand up for what is right.
Perseverance. One will persevere time and time again until a result is achieved which is adequate towards what one was trying to achieve.
Self-Control. To not only have control over one's physical acts but also your own mental thoughts and actions.
Indomitable Spirit. To have the courage to stand up for what you believe in, no matter what odds you are up against, and to always give 100% effort in whatever you do.
The Korean flag symbolizes much of the thought and philosophy of the Orient. The symbol, and sometimes the flag itself, is called Taegeuk.
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 Taegeuk 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.
