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Tae Kwon
Do
Originated in Korea and developed over the course of 2,000 years. However, due to the suppression of the Korean
culture during the Japanese occupation of Korea (1910-1945) and then the Korean war, Tae Kwon Do was not introduced to the
United States and the rest of the world until the late 1950's. By this time the word "Karate" had become a generic term for
the martial arts. This is why, even though Tae Kwon Do is now practiced by more people than all of the other martial arts
combined, it is still sometimes referred to as "Korean Karate."
Tae Kwon Do is a Korean martial art turned sport that has grown as a global sport since the foundation of
the World Tae Kwon Do Federation in 1973.
Following the recognition of the WTF by the International Olympic Committee in 1980, Tae Kwon Do was staged
at the Olympics in Seoul in 1988 and in Barcelona in 1992 as demonstration sport.
In 1994, at the Paris 103rd IOC Seccion, Tae Kwon Do was adopted as an official program of Sydney 2000 Olympics.
Tae Kwon Do was confirmed as an official sport of the 2004 Athens Olymic Games and 2008 Beijing Olympic Games.
Tae Kwon Do was admitted into the Amateur Union (AAU) of the United States in 1974 and recognized by
the Olympic Committee in 1978. It is now also a Junior Olympic sport and part of the Pan American Games.
Tae Kwon Do has achieved as much in the past three decades as other sports did in over 100 years. The
Tae Kwon Do population has been ever growing as more people appreciate the benifits of it's influence on the sound mind and
body. The global population of Tae Kwon Do is estimated at over 50 million strong.
Brief history and description of the American and Korean Flags
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TAE
GUEK GEE: Symbolizes much of the thought, word, and mysticism of the Orient. It is depicted by a o divided equally by a horizontal S locked
in perfect balance.
*The
Blue part of "Taeguk" is called "Eum" and represents all negative aspects of balance that is typical.
*The Red part is called "Yang" and describes all positive aspects.
The two opposites express the
dualism of the cosmos.
*The white background of the
flag means Peace.
Example of Dualism:
Fire/Water - Day/Night - Dark/Light - Heat/Cold -Active/Passive
- Construction/Destruction - Masculine/Feminine
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THE
MEANINGS OF THE FOUR TRIGRAMS
(symbols on
flag)
_____ _____ __
__ __ __
_____ __
__ _____ __ __
_____ _____
__ __ __ __
Kun / Heaven
Yi / Fire Kam / Water
Kon / Earth
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The central thought in the Tae Guek Gee
indicates that while there is a constant movement within the sphere of infinity there is also a perfect balance and harmony.
A simple example is: Kindness and Cruelty. If a parent is kind to a child it is considered
good, But kindenss without discipline may spoil the child and weaken the child, thus leading the child to become a vicious
person and a source of disgrace to his ancestors.
For the Korean People the flag of Tae Guek Gee is a source of
pride and inspiration. During the Japanese occupation period begining in 1910 the Korean flag was outlawed in public places
and for thirthy five years the flag was hiden until Liberation Day in 1945. The Korean flag has been a symbol of it's country's
struggle for independence and freedom.
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A source of great pride and inspiration comes from the American flag. The continental congress left no record
to show why it chose red, white, and blue as the colors for the flag.
Yet in 1782 the congress of the confederation chose the same colors for the newly designed great seal of the
U.S.
The resolution on the seal listed the following as the meanings of each color:
RED: Hardiness, and Courage
WHITE: Purity, and Innocence
BLUE: Perserverance, Vigilance, and Justice
The stripes stand for the original thirteen colonies, and presidential orders in 1912,1959,and 1969 fixed
the stars for each state.
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Click here to learn more about the U.S Flag
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