Tang Soo Do
-tae kwon do -kung fu -judo -okinawan karate
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Another Korean martial art that is enjoying great popularity in the West is Tang Soo Do, meaning "way of the Tang hand". It was developed over 2,000 years ago, and was then known as soo bahk. The present grandmaster of the art is Hwang Kee, who founded the headquarters for the art shortly after World War 2. His academy is known as the Moo Duk Kwan and claims 20,000 black belts worldwide. |
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At first sight, Tang Soo Do looks very similar to Japanese or Okinawan karate. According to Hwang Kee, this is because of the common Chinese ancestry of both arts. The training hall where students engage in their art is called a dojang, and the training uniform or tunic is called a tobok. The art consists of striking techniques, such as punches, kicks, and special hand techniques. |  |
| A key part of understanding the ancient art of Tang Soo Do is to understand its many hidden meanings, including the philosophy behind the belt system. An absolute beginner is a white belt, which progresses to green, red, and finally black. Although some schools include yellow and orange belts, they are still considered white belts. One variation of the hidden meanings of the belt ranks is that of the life of a plant from planting to harvest. |  |
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A white belt is like a seed, planted and eager to sprout. The white belt is willing and able to learn and to grow into the next stage. The green belt symbolizes a green sprout, with its foundation started and roots growing. The green belt is a very critical period: if the foundation is not secured, the student will not be able to continue on. A green belt is dangerous to himself and others: he knows just enough to get himself into trouble. A red belt is like a grown plant: with firm roots and a secure foundation. When a student becomes a red belt, he discovers that he must focus less on himself and more on helping others to become a true martial artist. Red belts are hard workers and are always ready to share their knowledge. A black belt symbolizes a matured plant in its final stage and is ready to be harvested. Students must participate in an experience similar to internship to become fully- fledged black belts. |