About taekwon-do

Taekwon-do is a korean art of self-defence developed by General Choi Hong Hi using elements of the ancient Korean martial art of Taek Kyon and of Shotokan karate. It is a scientific use of the body in the method of self defence, a body that has gained the ultimate use of its facilities through intensive physical and mental training. It is a martial art that has no equal in either power or technique.

In many martial arts concentration is placed on the hands. Taekwon-Do places greater emphasis on the legs and feet. Although hand techniques are an important part of training, the leg being of greater strength and of greater length that the arm, creates more space between opponents, allowing more freedom of movement and efficiency of technique. The dynamic and devastating jumping and flying kicks give Taekwon-Do its trademark.

'Tae' stands for jumping or flying to kick or smash with the foot. 'kwon' denotes the fist-chiefly to punch or destroy with the hand or fist. 'Do' means an art or way - the right way built and paved by the saints and sages in the past.

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Ranking

The system of rank in Taekwon-Do is denoted by the various colours of the belts worn by practitioners. There are six belts: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black. White is given to beginners and black is given to students have progressed through the grades and have a solid foundation for learning the techniques of Taekwon-Do.

WHITE (10th/9thKup) Represents innocence.A person who has no knowledge of Taekwon-Do

YELLOW (8th/7th Kup) Represents the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundation is laid.

GREEN (6th/5th Kup) Represents the plants growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.

BLUE (4th/3rd Kup) Represents the heavens towards which the plant matures into a tree as training continues.

RED (2nd/1st Kup) Represents danger, warning both wearer and opponent to exercise control.

BLACK (1st - 9th Dan) Represents the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear. It is also the opposite to white.

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