THE MEANING OF TANG SOO DO MOO DUK KWAN

It is important to understand that Tang Soo Do is the art that you are studying, and Moo Duk Kwan is the style. Tang Soo Do is the technical side, and Moo Duk Kwan is the philosophical side of "Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan".

            Literally translated, the word "Tang" means T'ang dynasty of China, which reflects the shared cultural background between China and Korea from 617 907 AD. "Soo" means open hand that implies fist, punch, strike, or defense. "Do" means the way of life. Thus, "Tang Soo Do" is a Korean classical martial art which legendarily was influenced by the T'ang method of martial art.

"Moo Duk Kwan" means school of martial virtue. It is the scientific use of the body in methods of self defense combined with philosophy guiding the practitioner towards discovering their full potential. The basic ideal of 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.