What is Taekwon-Do?
Taekwon-Do is a martial art from Korea. Taekwon-Do means “the way of the foot and the hand”, ’Tae’ referring to foot and foot techniques and ’kwon’ referring to hand and hand techniques. ’Do’ translates to “way” and it means the path, thought and the spiritual/mental side of Taekwon-Do. Taekwon-Do’s roots are in Korean, Chinese and Japanese martial arts. The founder of Taekwon-Do is general Choi Hong Hi, 9. dan. Taekwon-Do is more than a hobby for many, it is a lifestyle.
Taekwon-Do has developed into a modern and global sport. Practising Taekwon-Do is diverse including for example patterns, sparring, self-defense, power breaking and special techniques.
Tenets Of Taekwon-Do
Taekwon-Do’s principles and values guide practitioners’ mental as well as physical development. In this way, the purpose of Taekwon-Do is also to cultivate righteous, determined, and diligent individuals. Therefore, the instructor is not only a coach but also a teacher.
- Courtesy
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Self-Control
- Indomitable Spirit
The Taekwondo Oath
By taking the oath, a Taekwon-Do practitioner commits to following the rules and ethical conduct characteristic of the art. The oath is a promise to the instructor, but above all, to the practitioner themselves. It is recited during belt tests, camps, and competitions, and sometimes at the beginning of regular training sessions.
The Finnish version of the oath and the translation is listed below.
- Lupaan noudattaa Taekwon-Don pääperiaatteita. (I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo.)
- Tulen kunnioittamaan opettajaa ja ylempiä vöitä. (I shall respect the instructors and seniors.)
- Lupaan olla käyttämättä Taekwon-Doa väärin. (I will never misuse Taekwondo.)
- Tulen olemaan puolestapuhuja vapaudelle ja oikeudenmukaisuudelle. (I will be a champion of freedom and justice.)
- Autan rakentamaan rauhallisempaa maailmaa. (I shall build a more peaceful world.)