The origin of Tae Kwon Do is obscured by more than 5,000 years of Korean history. Although the history is quite lengthy, this brief summarization will acquaint you with its growth and struggle to survive.

The evolution of Tae Kwon Do is supported by historical evidence. Since the human race has existed on earth, people have had to develop personal skill in fighting to obtain food and defend against wild animals. Thus, martial arts existed all over the world for use as a basis for survival. In some areas the martial arts flourished and developed into more than just a means of survival. Such an art is Tae Kwon Do.

The earliest records of Tae Kwon Do date back to about 50 B.C. During this time, Korea was divided into three kingdoms: Silla, which was founded in the Kyongju plain in 57 B.C.; Koguryo, founded in the Yalu River Valley in 37 B.C. and Baekche, founded in the southwestern area of the Korean peninsula in 18 B.C. Evidence of the practice of Taek-Kyon (the earliest form of Tae Kwon Do) has been found in paintings on the ceiling of the Muyong-chong, a royal tomb from the Koguryo dynasty. These and other mural paintings show unarmed combatants using techniques that are virtually identical to those of modern-day Tae Kwon Do. Of particular interest are the details that show the use of the knife hand, fist and classical fighting stances — all components of modern Tae Kwon Do.

In, 1945 Korea was liberated from 36 years of Japanese rule and a number of Koreans made a special effort to revitalize the traditional art of Tae Kwon Do. Experience, wisdom and imagination have helped in man’s development of Tae Kwon Do into an art form, not just for use in self-defense. After twenty centuries of struggling to exist, it is now practiced in over 120 countries with its following totaling some 21 million. It is generally regarded as the most popular martial art and is the only one represented in the Olympics.