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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

Bushido meant stoicism, self-discipline, and dignity in one’s personal bearing; it emphasized mastery of the martial arts through long training and practice; it lauded sacrifice in service to duty, without the slightest fear of death; it demanded asceticism and simplicity in daily life, without regard to comforts, appetites, or luxuries. The samurai was “to live as if already dead,” an outlook consonant with Buddhism; he was to regard death with fatalistic indifference, rather than cling to a life that was essentially illusory. Shame or dishonor might require suicide as atonement—and when a samurai killed himself, he did so by carving out his own viscera with a short steel blade. But traditional bushido had not imposed an obligation to abhor retreat or surrender even when a battle had turned hopeless, and the old-time samurai who had done his duty in a losing cause could lay down his arms with honor intact.
Ian W. Toll

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Other Glossary terms

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Qwan Ki Do
Qwan Ki Do is a Vietnamese martial art that combines various techniques and philosophies from traditional Vietnamese and Chinese martial arts.
Q
Katana
The katana is a traditional Japanese sword known for its distinctive appearance and craftsmanship.
K
Straight Lead
The straight lead is a fundamental striking technique in Jeet Kune Do (JKD), the martial arts philosophy developed by Bruce Lee.
S
Atemi-Waza
Atemi-Waza refers to striking techniques in traditional Japanese martial arts, including Judo, Aikido, and Karate.
A
Chin Na
Chin Na, also spelled Qinna, is a Chinese martial art technique that focuses on seizing and controlling an opponent through joint locks, pressure point manipulation, and other grappling techniques.
C
Centerline Theory
Centerline Theory is a fundamental concept in Wing Chun, as well as in other martial arts, that emphasizes the importance of controlling the central axis of the body during combat.
C
Plong
In the context of the traditional Thai martial art Krabi Krabong, "plong" refers to a long wooden staff used as a weapon.
P
Taekkyon
Taekkyon is a traditional Korean martial art that dates back to ancient times. It is characterized by its fluid, dance-like movements, which include a variety of kicks, strikes, and grappling techniques.
T
Ninjutsu
Ninjutsu, also known as "the art of stealth" or "the art of the ninja," is a traditional Japanese martial art that encompasses various skills and techniques used by ninjas (shinobi) for espionage, guerrilla warfare, and survival.
N
Foam Rollers
Foam rollers are cylindrical pieces of exercise equipment made from dense foam, used for self-myofascial release (SMR), a technique that helps relieve muscle tightness, soreness, and inflammation, and increase joint range of motion.
F
Vovinam
Vovinam, also known as Vovinam Việt Võ Đạo, is a Vietnamese martial art that was founded by Nguyễn Lộc in 1938. It incorporates a wide range of techniques, including striking, grappling, throws, and joint locks. Vovinam also includes the use of traditional Vietnamese weapons.
V
Judoka
A Judoka is a person who practices judo, a modern martial art and combat sport that originated in Japan.
J
Muay Korat
Muay Korat is another traditional style of Muay Boran, the ancient martial art that is the predecessor to modern Muay Thai.
M
Xuan Ji Bu
Xuan Ji Bu
X
Satba
A "satba" is a crucial piece of equipment used in Ssireum, the traditional Korean wrestling sport.
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