Hwa Rang Do
화랑도
Hwa Rang Do (화랑도, "Way of the Flowering Knights") is a comprehensive Korean martial art system encompassing striking, grappling, joint locks — kwanjyel gi (관절기) — weapons, and even healing techniques — in sul (인술). Named after the Hwarang (花郎) warrior tradition of the Silla Dynasty.
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Hwa Rang Do is one of the most complete martial arts systems in existence, with musul (무술, martial skills) and muwae (무예, martial arts of creativity). It appeals to dedicated practitioners seeking mastery across all combat ranges and weapons.
At a Glance
Who It's For
What You'll Learn
Over 4,000 techniques — gi sul (기술) — spanning all combat ranges
Striking — su gi (수기) — and kicking — jok gi (족기) — combinations
Joint locks — kwanjyel gi (관절기), throws — dunjigi (던지기), and grappling
Traditional Korean weapons — gum (검, sword), bong (봉, staff), ji pang e (지팡이, cane)
Acrobatics and falling techniques — nakbeop (낙법)
Meditation — myung sang (명상) — and healing arts — in sul (인술)
Your First Class
Wear a dobok (uniform) if available. Expect basic strikes and kicks, falling practice, and introduction to the art's philosophy. Classes run 60-90 minutes.
Watch & Learn
Legends of Hwa Rang Do
Choi Hong-hi (최홍희)
General Choi Hong-hi is credited as the principal founder of Taekwondo, synthesizing Korean martial traditions with Karate into a distinct kicking art. He established the ITF and spent his life spreading Taekwondo worldwide, making it one of the most practiced martial arts on the planet.
Joo Bang Lee
Joo Sang Lee
Taejoon Lee
Related Styles
Hapkido
Hapkido (합기도) is a Korean martial art that combines joint locks and throws (similar to Aikido) with dynamic kicks and strikes. It provides a comprehensive self-defense — hoshinsul (호신술) — system covering all ranges of combat.
Taekwondo
Taekwondo (태권도) is a Korean martial art known for its fast, high, and spinning kicks. It is one of only two martial arts in the Olympic Games and is practiced by over 80 million people worldwide.
Jiu-Jitsu
Japanese Jiu-Jitsu — jujutsu (柔術, "gentle art") — is the original grappling art of the samurai (侍), encompassing nage-waza (投技, throws), kansetsu-waza (関節技, joint locks), osae-waza (抑え技, pins), and atemi (当身, strikes). It is the ancestor of Judo, Aikido, and Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Kung Fu
Kung Fu — gongfu (功夫) — is a broad term for Chinese martial arts, or wushu (武術), encompassing hundreds of styles. Training typically includes forms — taolu (套路) — conditioning, and combat applications with an emphasis on philosophy and tradition.
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