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Hwarangdo

What is Hwarangdo?

Hwarangdo, also known as the "Way of the Flowering Knights," was an elite group of young male warriors in ancient Korea, specifically during the Silla Dynasty (57 BC – 935 AD). The Hwarang were originally established as a group of noble youths who were trained in various disciplines, including martial arts, literature, arts, and ethics. Their training aimed to develop them into well-rounded leaders who could serve the kingdom both in times of peace and war.

The Hwarang followed a code of conduct known as the "Sesok Ogye" or "Five Commandments," which emphasized loyalty to the king, filial piety, trust among friends, courage in battle, and the prohibition of unnecessary violence. These principles were deeply rooted in Confucian, Buddhist, and indigenous Korean values.

The Hwarang played a significant role in the unification of the Korean Peninsula under the Silla Dynasty and are often romanticized in Korean culture and history as paragons of virtue, bravery, and cultural refinement. Their legacy continues to influence various aspects of Korean martial arts and cultural heritage.

Related Article: Hwarangdo: Exploring the Martial Art of the Flowering Knights

Martial Arts does not teach you how to fight, it teaches you why not to.
Lakshya Bharadwaj

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Other Glossary terms

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Enshin
Enshin Karate is a modern style of karate founded by Joko Ninomiya in 1988.
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Wushu
Wushu is a modern exhibition and full-contact sport derived from traditional Chinese martial arts.
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Ssireum
Ssireum is a traditional form of Korean wrestling that has been practiced for centuries.
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Kubotan
A kubotan is a self-defense keychain weapon developed by Sōke Takayuki Kubota in the late 1960s.
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Submission
In the context of martial arts and combat sports, a submission is a technique used to force an opponent to concede defeat, typically due to pain, the threat of injury, or an inability to escape.
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Shuangdao
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Mai Sok San
In the context of traditional Thai martial arts, particularly Krabi Krabong, "Mai Sok San" refers to a type of weapon that is essentially a pair of wooden clubs or batons, often designed with a handle.
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Satba
A "satba" is a crucial piece of equipment used in Ssireum, the traditional Korean wrestling sport.
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The Folding Fan, known as "Phi Tiêu" in Vietnamese, is a traditional weapon used in various martial arts, including Vovinam.
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Bamboo Sword (Dao)
In martial arts, the term "Bamboo Sword (Dao)" typically refers to a practice weapon made from bamboo that is designed to emulate the characteristics of a traditional Chinese dao.
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Qiangshu
Qiangshu (枪术), also known as Spear Technique, is a traditional Chinese martial art that focuses on the use of the qiang (枪), a spear.
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Jun Fan Gung Fu
Jun Fan Gung Fu is a martial arts system developed by Bruce Lee before he created Jeet Kune Do.
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Kyū
In the context of Kyudo, the Japanese martial art of archery, Kyū (級) refers to the ranking system used to measure the proficiency and skill level of practitioners.
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