5 Fun Facts about Taekwondo

Although Taekwondo has reached an international audience, there are still a lot of facts you may not know about it. Here are a few:

1. The Hanbok Influence:

The traditional Korean Hanbok has had a subtle yet significant influence on the design of Taekwondo uniforms. The uniform, known as a “Dobok,” integrates aspects of the Hanbok, promoting ease of movement while paying homage to Korean culture.

2. The First International Footsteps:

While Taekwondo is now a global phenomenon, its first step onto the international stage was in Vietnam, where Korean troops taught Taekwondo to their Vietnamese counterparts during the Vietnam War. This marked the beginning of Taekwondo’s international journey.

3. The Secret Messages of Poomsae:

Each Poomsae (form) in Taekwondo tells a story or represents philosophical ideas. For example, the Taegeuk forms, practiced by color belts, symbolize elements of the universe and principles of Yin and Yang, reflecting the interconnectedness of mind, body, and spirit.

4. The Moon and Taekwondo:

The Korean flag, which features prominently in Taekwondo dojangs (training halls), symbolizes peace and the balance of forces through the representation of the yin-yang. The four trigrams around the central circle also represent cardinal directions, seasons, and elements, deeply connecting Taekwondo to natural and cosmic principles.

5. A Celestial Connection:

The black belt in Taekwondo is traditionally segmented into nine degrees, symbolizing the infinite journey of learning and improvement. The ninth-degree black belt, the highest attainable rank, represents the culmination of a practitioner’s journey, akin to reaching the zenith of the martial arts world.