Close This Window

History of Taekwondo
(quoted from the New Student Orientation Handbook)

Taekwondo is considered to be the oldest of all martial art concepts. Recorded evidence of Korean martial arts dates back thousands of years. Ancient wall murals in Korea depict men in typical martial arts stances. Royal tomb drawings from the Korguyo historical era (beginning in 37 BC) are numerous enough to indicate that Taekwondo was a popular activity among Korean people. Temple drawings from the Sill historical era (beginning in 57 BC) depict men with highly developed musculature performing martial arts techniques. in 1706, Yongjo, the 21st King of the Yi Dynasty, ordered the publication of an illustrated book on hand-to-hand combat, the techniques. From this early evidence, there is no doubt that Taekwondo was distinctly different from the Chinese "kung fu" or the Japanese "karate".

At the close of World War II, then the Korean War, the Korean people began the task of mending 50 years of damage to their economic, national  and cultural heritage. Traditional martial arts again began to be practiced, but because of the strong Japanese presence for nearly half a century, the techniques were altered by the "karate" influence - and there still was no universally recognized, specific name for the Korean style.

In 1955, a committee was asked to select one name to call the Korean martial art of hand and foot techniques. The term "Taekwondo", which means the "way" or method of the hand and foot technique toward personal development, was officially accepted.

Over the next decade, a series of new forms was created using techniques which were currently in use. Their creation was an important step in re-establishing the spirit of the ancient Korean martial art as a way of defense and personal improvement.

These new forms, however, did not emphasize the development and use of the kick to its best advantage - which is to provide longer reach and greater striking strength. (Some of the forms included no kicking techniques.) For that reason, Grand Master H. U. Lee began to develop the Songahm Style.

The Songahm style also emphasizes balance of the body movement and developing a "center point of harmony." Proper physical development requires exercises on both sides of the body - which is a truth not followed in other forms. Proper mental development also requires development of the "right hemisphere" and the "left hemisphere" of the brain - or both logical and intuitive skills, thinking and feeling. The forms symbolize returning to "center." The reality is that a person must learn, in martial arts or life, to hold a "center" emotionally, physically and intellectually. This is part of Taekwondo. On a very simple level, it can mean not just knowing self defense technique, but also knowing when it is wise to use them. 

In 1962, Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee left Korea to teach Taekwondo in the United States. He and the instructors under his direction established successful schools in several states. These first schools were to form the nucleus of the American Taekwondo Association founded by Grand Master Lee in 1969.

As the ATA continued to grow, Grand Master Lee realized that it would someday be large enough to support the development of a major advance in the art of Taekwondo. He selected senior instructors, including Master William Clark and Master Robert Allemier, to assist him in the effort of creating new forms; and Mr. M. K. Lee on defense and instructional technique and philosophy.

Because Grand Master Lee believes the philosophy of Taekwondo is reflected in the form, many hours of study were devoted to the physical and mental requirements of the new style.

Under his guidance, the group created an original set of forms and one-step sparring techniques which were introduced in 1983. The new forms, called Songahm, incorporated the traditional techniques in combinations to allow for the gradual development of coordination, physical ability, mental strength and endurance. From the first form, students are taught kicking techniques that are the hallmarks of the ancient Korean martial art.

These forms are protected by copyrights and may be used only by ATA member schools, by the ATA's international division (The Songahm Taekwondo Federation) and by others who have received specific licensing rights. Maintaining careful control of the Songahm Style lets the organization ensure that the techniques will be taught and performed in accordance with the original design.

The name "Songahm" means "pine tree temple". The pine tree is symbolic of long life and "evergreen" consistency. The "temple" is the Haein Temple in Korea where more that 200 ATA and STF instructors trained in 1987, the largest group of instructors from overseas ever to visit the homeland of Taekwondo. The temple was a haven for martial arts and martial artists throughout history in the Orient. There is no religious significance to the temple term or visit in 1987; but the historic significance of the temple sheltering martial arts in the past, and ATA/STF trip on 1987, are important in martial arts history. The Haein Temple is noted in Korea for ancient trees and it's "treasures" from Korean and Oriental history - literally a museum of the spirit of Korean culture and tradition. Each student symbolizes a sanctuary or "safe place" for the living Songahm Taekwondo tree and tradition to take root.

© Butler ATA Taekwondo Center 2006

Close This Window