Three Kingdoms and Taekkyon
Koguryo Kingdom
The Kingdom of Koguryo was located on the Northern part of Korea and was surrounded by Chinese enemies. This Kingdom was looking to take over the country by growing and training a stronger worrier group called 'sunbae'. The word 'sunbae' means never gives up from a fight.
It has been said in story, the Kingdom of Koguryo on the 10th of March every year, at a place of respect enjoyed games of sword, dance, archery, Taekkyon contest and other folk games and that Taekkyon was the favourite of all games. This history can be proven by wall paintings discovered in tombs, showing two warriors in a match of Taekkyon. The sunbae's lived together in groups, studying history and the literature of art. The sunbae's of Koguryo devoted themselves to their Kingdom by constructing roads and fortresses for their people. |
Shilla Kingdom
The Kingdom of Shilla was located on the South Eastern part of Korea. This Kingdom warrior group was called Hwarangdo or 'hwarang', which was a younger group of warriors. The hwarang were trained to be important people of the Kingdom. They were trained to be loyal and to sacrifice everything.
To be part of the Hwarangdo, young people were selected through contests. After selection they lived together and learned and exercised Subak (another form of martial art which is also part of Taekwondo), fencing, horse riding and other folk games. They also helped in the Kingdom and built roads and fortresses for their people. The Hwarangdo's followed Buddhism practices and this was based on bronze statues found of Kumgang Yoksa (a guardian of Buddha). These statues show a man of great strength, showing his bare hand in a defensive/offensive stance. The shape of his fist indicates a 'Jungkwon' which is part of Taekwondo and the flat fist and the way he stands is called 'Pyon Jumok' another part of taekwondo. The Hwarangs took Taekkyon to the people in the Kingdom, making it popular amongst ordinary people. Shilla was the smallest of three kingdoms but it was the strongest in practising and making Taekkyon popular. |
Paekje Kingdom (also known as Baekje)
There is not much written about the history of Paekje but we do know that it was the Kingdom located on the South West of Korea, neighbouring Shilla. In A.D. 660, Paekje unified with Shilla.
It was said in stories that Paekje looked down at martial arts and sports such as horse riding and archery.
It was said in stories that Paekje looked down at martial arts and sports such as horse riding and archery.