TaeKwonDo is deep-rooted in the martial traditions of the Korean Peninsula. During the Three Kingdoms Era, Hwarang (flowering youth) warriors utilized the fighting arts for military purposes. They were in spirit much like the Samurai of feudal Japan, concentrating not only on fighting, but also on artistic and religious pursuits.

During this time period, martial arts flourished in the Kingdoms. Subak—a system of fighting utilizing striking techniques and simple joint manipulation—prospered. Some aristocratic members of the society also practiced Tae Kyon. This is the art from which Taekwondo derives its myriad of kicking techniques.

Over the years, the Korean people were subject to invasions by the Mongolians, the Chinese, and later, by the Japanese Empire. Japan restricted the practice of the Korean styles, and later introduced Judo, Karate, and even Kung-fu to the Koreans.

With these influences, and the traditions of Tae Kyon and Subak, a number of different schools of Korean martial arts sprang into life. These schools (kwans) mixed the native styles of Korea with the introduced styles of Japan and China to different degrees. From these kwans, a new art took shape, and in 1957, the name “TaeKwonDo” was established.

Tae, meaning “ to kick with the foot,” Kwon, meaning “to strike with the hand,” and Do, meaning “the art or way.”

In 1973, the World TaeKwonDo Federation was born, giving an international organization to govern the practice of TaeKwonDo. It is this organization that was admitted into the Olympic Committee, and after being a demonstration sport in the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games, it has since become a full medal event sport.

For more information consult:

TAE KWON DO: The Ultimate Reference Guide to the World’s Most Popular Martial Art, Updated Edition. New York: Checkmark Books, 1999.