The modern martial art called Hwa Rang Do was first brought to the public as a traditional Korean martial art based in Seoul, South Korea in the early 1960’s. It is one of the premier, traditional “non sport” full spectrum martial arts to emerge out of South Korea in the 20th century. It was brought to the United States in the late 1960’s. Hwa Rang Do is a blend of hard and soft movements based on the theory of (Um & Yang) with linear and circular techniques (Kang-Sul & Yu-Sul) that can be used offensively or defensively. Hwa Rang Do also incorporates all ranges of hand strikes, kicking, joint locks, throws, falling, submission holds and ground defense techniques. It also includes the study of various aspects of unarmed and armed patterns, called Hyung. Weaponry includes the long staff, short stick, spear, sword, various types of knives and traditional archery. The student of Hwa Rang Do is also taught the inner aspect of breath control, Ki energy development and the healing methods of acupressure therapy and herbal medicine treatment. In essence, the modern art of Hwa Rang Do is the unification of the original native Korean martial skills, as well as some of the reformed Korean martial arts brought together to form one complete system with an emphasis on the aspect of molding the student’s character through understanding of the martial way called Mudo.
Hwa Rang Do Code of Ethics
Five Rules
1. Loyalty to one’s country.
2. Loyalty to one’s parents and teachers.
3. Trust and brotherhood among friends.
4. Courage to never retreat in the face of the enemy.
5. Justice to never take a life without cause.
Nine Virtues
1. Humanity
2. Justice
3. Courtesy
4. Wisdom
5. Trust
6. Goodness
7. Virtue
8. Loyalty
9. Courage