Literally, "Art of kicking and punching" Tae Kwon Do is a native Korean form of fighting that embraces kicking, punching, jumping, blocking, dodging and parrying. It is a system for training both the mind and body with an emphasis on the development of moral character. Tae Kwon Do incorporates the abrupt linear movements of karate and the flowing, circular patterns of kung fu with native kicking techniques.
There was a primitive activity known as T'ae-Kyon in the Silla Dynasty about 1300 years ago. Originally, Silla possessed the smallest territory when the ancient Korea was divided into three kingdoms, and she had to meet constant invasions from Koguryo in the north and Boekchae in the west. King Chin-Hung called up the strong and patriotic youths throughout the country and formed a strong organization called Hwarang-Do (a kind of military organization) to meet the national crisis. During the Japanese occupation, after the Yi Dynasty, the hand technique was introduced to this traditional kicking art enabling the hand and foot techniques to be combined. Soon after the liberation in 1945, there was movement to find the real name of this art. In 1955, a special board of many Tae Kwon Do masters, historians, and leaders was fonned to solve this problem. The term Tae Kwon was chosen because the term had close connection with the old name T'ae-Kyon both in pronunciation and meaning, and to visualize the fact that this art employs combined techniques of both foot and hand. Tae literally means to jump or kick or smash with the foot. Kwon" denotes a fist -chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. "Do" means an art, or way, or method.
Tae Kwon Do is famous for its kicks, a spectacular assortment of techniques which, when executed by an expert, are devastating. All of the basic Tae Kwon Do kicks can be delivered in a jumping or flying motion. Flying kicks are considered the ultimate in the Tae Kwon Do practitioner's arsenal of weapons. Tae Kwon Do practitioners also use a large array of hand techniques to punch, strike or block. In modem times, hand techniques have become increasingly more important in this art. The use of the feet however remains the trademark and beauty of Tae Kwon Do.
Since Tae Kwon Do is basically a kicking art, every practitioner must devote substantial time to developing the legs, hips and back. The fist step in training is a lengthy period of stretching exercises designed to make the practitioner limber and able to kick head high.
Tae Kwon Do kicking techniques are divided into direct and circular. The direct kick travels in a straight line from the kicker to the target area. The circular kick travels in any direction other than a straight line. Unlike Okinawan and Japanese karate systems, Tae Kwon Do advocates a broader array of kicks with an emphasis on spinning kicks. Many Tae Kwon Do kicks are aimed at head level that is relatively rare in other martial arts.
One of the more important aspects of Tae Kwon Do training is learning Tae Kwon Do "Hyungs", a set series of attacking and defensive movements which follow a logical, predetermined sequence. Hyungs also give the student the opportunity to practice the ideal blocking and attacking movements against an imaginary opponent. Just as the student in school learns to print so his handwriting is a departure from the ideal and becomes a mark of his personal style. The same may be said for Tae Kwon Do. A student's sparring or fighting style becomes his adaptation of the principles he has acquired from hyungs.