What is taekwondo?

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art and Olympic sport. It is a system of self-defence that utilises kicking, blocking and striking techniques, with an emphasis on high, fast spinning kicks. Early Taekwondo was influenced by other styles of unarmed combat and at one point was referred to as Korean Karate.

Governing body

World Taekwondo (WT) is the international federation governing sport Taekwondo, and has its headquarters in South Korea, known as the Kukkiwon. Within Taekwondo, numerous other styles exist under different governing bodies, however WT are the most prominent and govern Taekwondo as a sport in the Olympics.

Tae

Means to kick or smash with the foot. Kicking techniques are fundamental to Taekwondo training and often involve fast, spinning or jumping techniques.

Kwon

Means to punch or strike with the hand. Like other martial arts, Taekwondo utilises a range of hand techniques, particularly for self-defence or poomsae.

Do

Means art or way. This refers to the deeper meaning of Taekwondo, and how its guiding principles should be applied to life beyond training. Taekwondo is a ‘way’ of living and interacting with the world.  

Taken together, Taekwondo literally translates as the art of hand and foot fighting

National flag of South Korea. Red and blue circle in the centre with four trigrams in each corner, made up of three black lines

South Korean Flag

The Taegukgi is the national flag of South Korea and is a symbol you will come across a lot in Taekwondo. The name Taegukgi means supreme, ultimate flag. There are three key parts of the Taegukgi:

  • White background – Represents purity and peace
  • Red & Blue circle – This is called Taegeuk and represents balance in the universe. Yin (blue) and yang (red) represent the balance between positive and negative. 
  • Trigrams – Each of the four trigrams represents one of the basic principles of the universe; air, water, earth and fire. Together, they represent the fundamental principles of movement and harmony. Observe each trigram and the trigram diagonal to it – they are opposites, demonstrating the importance of balance.

Want to learn more about how Taegeuk is fundamental to Taekwondo? See the Kup Grade Poomsae page for further information!

The tenets of taekwondo

There are five tenets of Taekwondo. Students should strive to incorporate these principles into their training and everyday life. Each tenet represents an ideal that should be nurtured through training and will aid in personal development. The tenets may vary between styles and organisations, but the core principles remain the same. 

Courtesy

Sometimes known as etiquette, this tenet refers to treating others with respect. To be polite and considerate of others is integral to Taekwondo training, and is an excellent tenet to apply in your day-to-day life.

Integrity

Integrity, or sometimes modesty, refers to being honest and true to yourself. No matter the situation, remain true to your principles and values. When known as modesty, this tenet urges students to refrain from vain or boastful behaviour.

Perseverance

The spirit of never giving up, even if things go wrong. Perseverance means focusing on your goals and not surrendering at the first sign of difficulty. This tenet can be challenging to apply in training and in life, but is fundamental to personal development

Self-control

In any martial art, self-control is King. The skills taught through Taekwondo can be lethal if misused, and self-control refers to your ability to exercise restraint. Whether it’s adjusting your power in training or controlling your emotions, self-control is vital to your development.

Indomitable Spirit

Even in the face of overwhelming odds, a person with an indomitable spirit will persevere until the end. This tenet refers to having the courage to stand by your principles, no matter the opposition. Inside and outside of training, this tenet should guide all Taekwondo students.