Soo Bahk Do
Encyclopedia
Soo Bahk Do is the name of the martial art founded and taught by Kwan Jang Nim Hwang Kee
, his successor Hwang Hyun Chul
, known as H.C. Hwang, and instructors who are certified by member organizations of the World Moo Duk Kwan, Inc.
the indigenous arts of self defense (Soo Bahk Ki and Tae Kyun) were combined with other fighting principles (Northern and Southern Chinese Kung Fu) and moral guidelines such as the philosophy of Do (Tao), No Ja (Lao Tzu) and Kong Ja (Confucius) by Founder Hwang Kee, into what is now known as Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) Moo Duk Kwan. When developing the martial art, Hwang Kee drew heavily on the Muye Dobo Tongji, ancient text published in 1790 that translates as The Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of the Martial Arts of Ancient Korea.
Hwang Kee created the Moo Duk Kwan on November 9, 1945. Hwang Kee was first inspired to study the Martial arts in 1921 when he was about seven years old. At a traditional Festival called "Dan O" he was visiting a nearby village, where they had archery, wrestling and many other festivities. As Kee was enjoying the festival, a group of seven or eight men had a dispute with another man. Suddenly the group of men attacked the lone man, who began evading and counter attacking with his feet, and standing in a doorway as to fight one man at a time, eventually defeating the group of men. This ability to defend oneself against several attackers so impressed Hwang Kee that at that moment he knew he wanted to learn the martial arts.
For several years Hwang Kee studied and researched many sources. At the age of 22 some claim he was recognized as a Master. In May 1935 Hwang Kee began working for the Korean railroad company which allowed him to travel. In May 1936 he met a Chinese Kung Fu master named Yang, Kuk Jin. Kee trained with Yang until 1946. At that time China was experiencing a communist revolution. The training consisted of (postures), Bo Bop (steps), Ryun Bop (conditioning) and Hyung (Forms) with their applications. November 9th 1945 Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan. The basic ideal of the Moo Duk Kwan is the development of its participants. Strong individuals in Spirit and Body make strong communities, strong communities make strong nations, Strong and peaceful nations make a strong and peaceful world. In 1957, Kee made a discovery of Soo Bahk, a true Korean martial art, from Muye Dobo Tongji. Kee developed the Soo Bahk system to be studied through the Moo Duk Kwan. He chose the name Soo Bahk Do, a derivative of Soo Bahk Ki, hand striking technique, and Soo Bahk Hee, hand striking dance, which were detailed in the Muye Dobo Tongji. In 1960, the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association was incorporated and officially registered with the Korean government as the traditional Korean martial art.
1. White
Belt (10th Gup) - The white belt represents winter. Potential and skills are hidden under the pure white snow. This rank is generally assigned to beginners until three months of training.
2. Orange
Belt (8th Gup) -The orange belt represents between the white belt and the green belt meaning winter and spring. The orange belt is an acknowledgment of development and hard work. This rank is generally assigned to students with three months to a year of training.
3. Green
Belt (6th Gup)- The green belt symbolizes spring. The student has begun to study jump and spinning kick techniques. This rank is generally assigned to students with six months to one year of training.
4. Red
Belt (3rd Gup) - The red belt represents summer.
5. Midnight Blue
belt - The midnight blue belt, also known as the Dan level, signifies autumn. The student's training is intensified. Combination strikes, mastering self-defense techniques and developing a spiritual connection with the martial art are requisites. This rank generally takes four to five years to achieve.. Also means that you have left the gup levels and are at a new beginning in dan levels.
Rank in Soo Bahk Do is a privilege despite age or physical ability. It is a marker of mental and physical credential cultivated from years or decades of training under the direction of certified instructors. Students and parents alike can expect a journey that will take them to new levels of self-confidence, positive self-esteem, mental and physical wellbeing and above all membership in a worldwide organization the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. Through consistent Soo Bahk Do training and marked progress, students are invited to “test” for rank promotion. Candidates are required to own a uniform a belt and join the “Federation” before their first test. The Federation is the administrative arm of our Art that documents test certifications and coordinates a host of other regional/national endeavors. Studio “Gup tests” are usually conducted one Saturday of each month at the discretion of the studio owner and cost $30 plus an additional $5 - $7 if a new belt and uniform trim are required. Students start at white belt, 10th gup and progress to (yellow) orange, green and red belt earning stripes between each gup level to 1st gup and black belt candidacy. Gup test candidates are eligible to test a minimum of three months after their last examination by invitation. There are no age requirements therefore students who assert themselves are eligible for Cho Dan (black belt) candidacy as their progress and certified instructors permit. In general, students require at least 5 years of continuous training and PVT participation to reach the level of black belt in Soo Bahk Do.
In the United Kingdom, "Soo Bahk Do" and the Soo Bahk Do "fist" are trade marks of the UK Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation.
Hwang Kee
Grand Master Hwang Kee was one of the most important figures in the Korean martial art of Tang Soo Do. He was the founder of Soo Bahk Do and the school of Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan.-Life:...
, his successor Hwang Hyun Chul
Hwang Hyun Chul
Hwang Hyun Chul is a ninth-degree black belt in Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan and the son of the late Hwang Kee, founder of the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan system.- Biography :...
, known as H.C. Hwang, and instructors who are certified by member organizations of the World Moo Duk Kwan, Inc.
History
In KoreaKorea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
the indigenous arts of self defense (Soo Bahk Ki and Tae Kyun) were combined with other fighting principles (Northern and Southern Chinese Kung Fu) and moral guidelines such as the philosophy of Do (Tao), No Ja (Lao Tzu) and Kong Ja (Confucius) by Founder Hwang Kee, into what is now known as Soo Bahk Do (Tang Soo Do) Moo Duk Kwan. When developing the martial art, Hwang Kee drew heavily on the Muye Dobo Tongji, ancient text published in 1790 that translates as The Comprehensive Illustrated Manual of the Martial Arts of Ancient Korea.
Hwang Kee created the Moo Duk Kwan on November 9, 1945. Hwang Kee was first inspired to study the Martial arts in 1921 when he was about seven years old. At a traditional Festival called "Dan O" he was visiting a nearby village, where they had archery, wrestling and many other festivities. As Kee was enjoying the festival, a group of seven or eight men had a dispute with another man. Suddenly the group of men attacked the lone man, who began evading and counter attacking with his feet, and standing in a doorway as to fight one man at a time, eventually defeating the group of men. This ability to defend oneself against several attackers so impressed Hwang Kee that at that moment he knew he wanted to learn the martial arts.
For several years Hwang Kee studied and researched many sources. At the age of 22 some claim he was recognized as a Master. In May 1935 Hwang Kee began working for the Korean railroad company which allowed him to travel. In May 1936 he met a Chinese Kung Fu master named Yang, Kuk Jin. Kee trained with Yang until 1946. At that time China was experiencing a communist revolution. The training consisted of (postures), Bo Bop (steps), Ryun Bop (conditioning) and Hyung (Forms) with their applications. November 9th 1945 Hwang Kee founded the Moo Duk Kwan. The basic ideal of the Moo Duk Kwan is the development of its participants. Strong individuals in Spirit and Body make strong communities, strong communities make strong nations, Strong and peaceful nations make a strong and peaceful world. In 1957, Kee made a discovery of Soo Bahk, a true Korean martial art, from Muye Dobo Tongji. Kee developed the Soo Bahk system to be studied through the Moo Duk Kwan. He chose the name Soo Bahk Do, a derivative of Soo Bahk Ki, hand striking technique, and Soo Bahk Hee, hand striking dance, which were detailed in the Muye Dobo Tongji. In 1960, the Korean Soo Bahk Do Association was incorporated and officially registered with the Korean government as the traditional Korean martial art.
Belt Rankings
Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan has five belt rankings:1. White
White
White is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light that stimulates all three types of color sensitive cone cells in the human eye in nearly equal amounts and with high brightness compared to the surroundings. A white visual stimulation will be void of hue and grayness.White light can be...
Belt (10th Gup) - The white belt represents winter. Potential and skills are hidden under the pure white snow. This rank is generally assigned to beginners until three months of training.
-
- 9th Gup: White with one blue stripe
2. Orange
Orange (colour)
The colour orange occurs between red and yellow in the visible spectrum at a wavelength of about 585–620 nm, and has a hue of 30° in HSV colour space. It is numerically halfway between red and yellow in a gamma-compressed RGB colour space, the expression of which is the RGB colour wheel. The...
Belt (8th Gup) -The orange belt represents between the white belt and the green belt meaning winter and spring. The orange belt is an acknowledgment of development and hard work. This rank is generally assigned to students with three months to a year of training.
-
- 7th Gup: Orange with one blue stripe.
3. Green
Green
Green is a color, the perception of which is evoked by light having a spectrum dominated by energy with a wavelength of roughly 520–570 nanometres. In the subtractive color system, it is not a primary color, but is created out of a mixture of yellow and blue, or yellow and cyan; it is considered...
Belt (6th Gup)- The green belt symbolizes spring. The student has begun to study jump and spinning kick techniques. This rank is generally assigned to students with six months to one year of training.
-
- 5th gup: Green with one blue stripes.
- 4th gup: Green with two blue stripes.
4. Red
Red
Red is any of a number of similar colors evoked by light consisting predominantly of the longest wavelengths of light discernible by the human eye, in the wavelength range of roughly 630–740 nm. Longer wavelengths than this are called infrared , and cannot be seen by the naked eye...
Belt (3rd Gup) - The red belt represents summer.
-
- 2nd gup: Red with one blue stripe
- 1st Gup: Red with two blue stripes.
5. Midnight Blue
Midnight Blue
Midnight blue is a dark shade of blue, close to black, that was named for its darkness. Midnight blue is the color of a vat full of Indigo dye; therefore, midnight blue may also be considered a dark shade of indigo...
belt - The midnight blue belt, also known as the Dan level, signifies autumn. The student's training is intensified. Combination strikes, mastering self-defense techniques and developing a spiritual connection with the martial art are requisites. This rank generally takes four to five years to achieve.. Also means that you have left the gup levels and are at a new beginning in dan levels.
Rank in Soo Bahk Do is a privilege despite age or physical ability. It is a marker of mental and physical credential cultivated from years or decades of training under the direction of certified instructors. Students and parents alike can expect a journey that will take them to new levels of self-confidence, positive self-esteem, mental and physical wellbeing and above all membership in a worldwide organization the Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation. Through consistent Soo Bahk Do training and marked progress, students are invited to “test” for rank promotion. Candidates are required to own a uniform a belt and join the “Federation” before their first test. The Federation is the administrative arm of our Art that documents test certifications and coordinates a host of other regional/national endeavors. Studio “Gup tests” are usually conducted one Saturday of each month at the discretion of the studio owner and cost $30 plus an additional $5 - $7 if a new belt and uniform trim are required. Students start at white belt, 10th gup and progress to (yellow) orange, green and red belt earning stripes between each gup level to 1st gup and black belt candidacy. Gup test candidates are eligible to test a minimum of three months after their last examination by invitation. There are no age requirements therefore students who assert themselves are eligible for Cho Dan (black belt) candidacy as their progress and certified instructors permit. In general, students require at least 5 years of continuous training and PVT participation to reach the level of black belt in Soo Bahk Do.
Eight Key Concepts
Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan proffers eight key concepts for martial arts training.| Key concept | Translation |
|---|---|
| Yong Gi (용기) | Courage Courage Courage is the ability to confront fear, pain, danger, uncertainty, or intimidation... |
| Chung Shin Tong Il (정신통일) | Concentration |
| In Neh (인내) | Endurance Endurance Endurance is the ability for a human or animal to exert itself and remain active for a long period of time, as well as its ability to resist, withstand, recover from, and have immunity to trauma, wounds, or fatigue. In humans, it is usually used in aerobic or anaerobic exercise... |
| Chung Jik (정직) | Honesty Honesty Honesty refers to a facet of moral character and denotes positive, virtuous attributes such as integrity, truthfulness, and straightforwardness along with the absence of lying, cheating, or theft.... |
| Kyum Son (겸손) | Humility Humility Humility is the quality of being modest, and respectful. Humility, in various interpretations, is widely seen as a virtue in many religious and philosophical traditions, being connected with notions of transcendent unity with the universe or the divine, and of egolessness.-Term:The term "humility"... |
| Him Cho Chung (힘조정) | Control of Power |
| Shin Chook (신적) | Tension Muscle tone In physiology, medicine, and anatomy, muscle tone is the continuous and passive partial contraction of the muscles, or the muscle’s resistance to passive stretch during resting state. It helps maintain posture, and it declines during REM sleep.-Purpose:Unconscious nerve impulses maintain the... and Relaxation |
| Wan Gup (완겁) | Speed Control |
Ten Articles of Faith
Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan holds ten articles of faith in practice of martial discipline and practical life.| Article |
|---|
| 1. Be loyal to one's country Country A country is a region legally identified as a distinct entity in political geography. A country may be an independent sovereign state or one that is occupied by another state, as a non-sovereign or formerly sovereign political division, or a geographic region associated with a previously... |
| 2. Be obedient Obedience (human behavior) In human behavior, obedience is the quality of being obedient, which describes the act of carrying-out commands or being actuated. Obedience differs from compliance, which is behavior influenced by peers, and from conformity, which is behavior intended to match that of the majority. Obedience can... to one's parents and elders |
| 3. Be loving to one's husband or wife Wife A wife is a female partner in a marriage. The rights and obligations of the wife regarding her spouse and others, and her status in the community and in law, varies between cultures and has varied over time.-Origin and etymology:... |
| 4. Be cooperative to your brothers |
| 5. Be respectful Respect Respect denotes both a positive feeling of esteem for a person or other entity , and also specific actions and conduct representative of that esteem. Respect can be a specific feeling of regard for the actual qualities of the one respected... to elders |
| 6. Be faithful to your teacher |
| 7. Be faithful to friends |
| 8. Face combat Combat Combat, or fighting, is a purposeful violent conflict meant to establish dominance over the opposition, or to terminate the opposition forever, or drive the opposition away from a location where it is not wanted or needed.... only in justice and with honor |
| 9. Never retreat in battle Battle Generally, a battle is a conceptual component in the hierarchy of combat in warfare between two or more armed forces, or combatants. In a battle, each combatant will seek to defeat the others, with defeat determined by the conditions of a military campaign... |
| 10. Always finish what you start |
Service mark
In the United States, "Soo Bahk Do"[6] and the "Soo Bahk Do logo"[7] are federally registered service marks of the U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation.In the United Kingdom, "Soo Bahk Do" and the Soo Bahk Do "fist" are trade marks of the UK Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation.
See also
- Moo Duk KwanMoo Duk KwanMoo Duk Kwan is split into two groups. One is Soo Bahk Do, formerly Tang Soo Do, and earlier Hwa Soo Do. The other is Taekwondo Moo Duk Kwan. Soo Bahk Do was founded by Grand Master Hwang Kee, November 9, 1945...
- U.S. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation
- U.K. Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation
- Philippine Soo Bahk Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation