The way of the foot and the fist

"The way of the foot and the fist." The same Do as in judo or aikido: an art that goes beyond technique to become a path. It is lived on three levels: traditional Korean martial art, world Olympic sport and art of living. An empty-hand art, renowned for its dynamic and powerful leg techniques.

You progress through grades. The beginner starts at the 10th keup (white belt) and moves up to the 1st keup, passing through the colors. Then come the dan, the black belts.

• WhitePurity, the very first step.
• YellowThe earth: the seed takes root.
• GreenGrowth: the plant rises.
• BlueThe sky: the horizon opens up.
• RedDanger, the sun: power and control.
• BlackMastery, where the true path begins.

And above all: it is for everyone. Children, teens, adults, seniors: you can start at any age and progress at your own pace. No need to be flexible or athletic to begin.

Taekwondo has its roots in ancient Korean arts (taekkyon and subak) and in the spirit of the Hwarang. Modern Taekwondo reinvented itself in the 20th century from the karate learned during the Japanese occupation. From this synthesis was born an identity centered on the legs.

Moo Duk Kwan · 1945Founder: Hwang KeeOne of the most widespread; it would also give rise to Tang Soo Do.

Ji Do Kwan · 1946Founder: Chun Sang-supBorn from the karate section of the Yun Moo Kwan, refounded after the war.

No single man "invented" Taekwondo. But one figure dominates its unification: General Choi Hong-hi (최홍희), who proposed the name "Taekwondo" in 1955 then founded in 1966 the first international federation, the ITF. In parallel, the Korean state gathered the schools within the Korea Taekwondo Association, then the Kukkiwon (1972): this current would become Olympic Taekwondo.

1. 10th–16th c.Ancient Korean martial arts: subak and taekkyon, with their characteristic leg work.
2. 1910–1945Japanese occupation: Korean masters train in karate, the technical base of the future schools.
3. 1944–1946Birth of the "kwans," the founding schools of Seoul.
4. 1955General Choi Hong-hi coins the name "Taekwondo," adopted to unify the schools.
5. 1965The Korean federation takes the name Korea Taekwondo Association.
6. 1972Inauguration of the Kukkiwon in Seoul, world headquarters and reference academy.
7. 1973First World Championships and creation of the World Taekwondo Federation.
8. 2000Sydney: Taekwondo becomes an official Olympic sport.

The Do (도, 道), "the Way," is the heart of Taekwondo. Inherited from the Confucian and Taoist traditions, it turns a fighting technique into a lifelong journey. Five tenets guide this way, lived every day at the dojang.

1. 1
   Courtesy · 예의 · ye-uiRespect for others, politeness and humility. The virtue that holds the dojang community together.
2. 2
   Integrity · 염치 · yeom-chiBeing honest with others and with oneself, knowing how to tell right from wrong.
3. 3
   Perseverance · 인내 · in-naePursuing your goal despite the obstacles. Mastery is built over time.
4. 4
   Self-control · 극기 · geuk-gi"To conquer oneself": controlling your movements as well as your thoughts.
5. 5
   Indomitable spirit · 백절불굴 · baekjeol-bulgul"Broken a hundred times, never subdued": firmness in the face of injustice.

The student oath"I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo and my master; I shall never misuse them; I shall be a champion of freedom and justice; I shall help build a more peaceful world."Recited at the start of the course, it engages the student well beyond technique.

At the center of the Korean flag is Taegeuk (태극, 太極), the “Supreme Peak”: the harmony of eum (blue) and yang (red), opposing and complementary forces from which the entire universe is born. Around it, the eight trigrams represent the forces of nature and give their name to the eight fundamental poomsae.

You take off your shoes, you bow (kyeongnye), you wear the dobok. The dojang, "the place where one follows the Way," rests on an etiquette of respect. Proclaimed national martial art in 1971, Taekwondo has its world headquarters in Seoul: the Kukkiwon (국기원), the reference authority for techniques, poomsae and dan grades.

• 태권도
  Taekwondo跆拳道The way of the foot and the fist
• 도
  Do道The Way, the path of life
• 품새
  Poomsae品勢Form: codified sequence
• 겨루기
  KyorugiThe sparring (Olympic event)
• 격파
  Kyokpa擊破The breaking of boards
• 도장
  Dojang道場The training hall
• 도복
  Dobok道服The uniform ("garment of the Way")
• 사범님
  Sabeom-nimThe master / head instructor
• 태극
  Taegeuk太極The "Supreme Ultimate" (eum-yang)
• 국기원
  Kukkiwon國技院The world headquarters of Taekwondo

Two ways to continue: understand the belt journey, or dive into the poomsae.