Let’s take a closer look at the meaning of the actual phrase “Tae” “Kwon” “Do.”  “Tae” means “foot,” “leg,” or “to step on”; “Kwon” means “fist,” or “fight”; and “Do” means the “way” or “discipline.” If we put these three parts together, we can see two important concepts behind “Taekwondo”. More commonly it is known as the ‘Way of the hand and the foot’.

In other interpretations Taekwondo is firstly the right way of using Tae and Kwon ‘fists and feet,’ or all the parts of the body that are represented by fists and feet. Secondly, it is a way to control or calm down fights and keep the peace. This concept comes from the meaning of Tae Kwon ‘to put fists under control’ [or ‘to step on fists’]. Thus Taekwondo means “the right way of using all parts of the body to stop fights and help to build a better and more peaceful world.”

Taekwondo has been developing with the 5000-year long history of Korea, being called by several different names in the course. In Korea, Taekwondo began as a defensive martial art called “Subak” or “Taekkyon,” and developed as a way of training body and mind in the ancient kingdom of Koguryo, under the name of “Sunbae.” In the Shilla period, it had become the backbone of Hwarangdo that aimed at producing leaders of the country.

But Taekwondo is very different from many other oriental martial arts. First, physically it is very dynamic with active movements that include a myriad of foot skills. Second, the principle physical movements are in simpatico with that of the mind and life as a whole. Third, it possesses dynamic poses from another perspective.

Taekwondo can be characterized by unity: the unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the pose [“poomsae”] and confrontation. When you do Taekwondo, you should make your mind peaceful and synchronize your mind with your movements and extend this harmony to your life and society. This is how in Taekwondo the principle of physical movements, the principle of mind training, and the principle of life become one and the same. On the other hand, the right poomsae lead to the right confrontation, which will eventually produce great destructive power.

How can we reach such a unity in Taekwondo? Taekwondo is a way of life, much like having a job, raising a family, fighting for a cause, or any one of numerous raison d’etre. What makes Taekwondo different from these is that it is an activity for survival in extremely antagonistic situations. One must always overcome the enemy that is trying to cause harm. But simply winning a fight is not enough to guarantee one’s safety, because the enemy may recuperate and attack again. Moreover, there may be many other enemies than the one that was just defeated. One cannot ever feel safe unless one gains permanent peace. To attain this permanent or lasting peace, one needs unity. This is what Taekwondo aims for. Otherwise Taekwondo would be no different from street-fighting skills.

Taekwondo pursues harmonious growth and improvements of life through its unique activities. This is why one could say Taekwondo is a way of life. To ultimately enable ourselves to lead more valuable lives, we would do well by finding the guiding principles deeply hidden in Taekwondo.

Taekwondo can be characterized by unity: the unity of body, mind, and life, and the unity of the pose [“poomsae”] and confrontation. When you do Taekwondo, you should make your mind peaceful and synchronize your mind with your movements and extend this harmony to your life and society. This is how in Taekwondo the principle of physical movements, the principle of mind training, and the principle of life become one and the same. On the other hand, the right poomsae lead to the right confrontation, which will eventually produce great destructive power.

Taekwondo, as a modern sport, has developed with the aid of scientific analysis and technological development. ‘Sport’ activities include competition in many disciplines, including, sparring (fighting), poomsae (patterns in both traditional presentation and creative patterns, often accompanied by music), breaking of timber, tiles etc, self defence scenarios along with ‘fun’ competition in activities such as the highest or longest kicks. Competition is often available to children as young as 6 or 7 at local or state levels and 8 and over at national level. There are also competitions dedicated to the more senior participant with ‘masters’ events regularly available to the ‘over 30s’ and presented in multi-sport events, such as the Pan Pacific Masters Games.

Competitive sparring in Taekwondo requires the wearing of protective equipment, including head, chest, arm, fist, leg and groin protectors, along with mouthguards. The chest and head guards are coloured red or blue (head guards can also be white) to differentiate the athletes on the field of play. Australian referees and international referees have different uniforms of trousers and shirts. Competitors are required to have a coach by the court with them during competition and coaches and referees undergo an accreditation process and have prerequisite standards of participation. Modified rules are applied (in Australia) to young participants and may be applied to older participants, depending on the competition arrangements.