CHIN MU KWAN TAEKWON-DO

SEOLLAL Happy New Year

In Korea New Years is celebrated 2 times, one using the solar Gregorian calendar, January 1^st and the traditional one using the lunar calendar which will be February 14^th in 2010. The Korean New Year is the same time as the Chinese New Year. 2010 will be the Year of the Tiger. The Lunar New Years is more important than the solar. Korean New Year is typically a family-oriented holiday. The three-day holiday is used by many to return to their home towns to visit their parents and other relatives. Koreans greet the New Year both Western and lunar by visiting East coast locations such as Gangneung and Donghae in Gangwon Province, where they are most likely to see the first rays of the New Year's sun

Traditionally on the eve of News Years Day people clean their houses and light it with colorful halogens In the small villages they stay awake all night to hold narye, an exorcising ceremony to expel any evil spirits. Ten dancers wearing Ch'oyong masks will dance to musical accompaniment. People will burn bamboo to ward away evil spirits. They believe that with the sound of the exploding bamboo's knots, the demons would get scared and run away.

On New Years Day everyone cleanses their bodies' both in the villages and big cities then they dress in their best hanbok (traditional Korean clothes not tobok). Together, the extended family performs ch'arye (a ceremony to commemorate their ancestors).

Next  is Sebae  a traditional practice of paying respect to one's elders on Korean New Year. This is part of their Confucian instilled culture. Something children in the west should learn and be taught. They wish their parents a happy new year by performing a deep traditional bow and the words saehae bok manhi badeuseyo which means may you receive many blessings in the new year. Parents typically reward this gesture by giving their children New Year's money (It is also called Lucky Money, usually in the form of crisp paper money in an envelope) and offering words of wisdom. Historically in older times, parents gave out rice cakes and fruits instead of money. Sebae starts with bowing to the grandparents, then parents, uncles and aunts. Next would be served the traditional Korean food ddeokguk, a rice dumpling soup and traditional drinks such as shikhye (rice punch) and sujunggwa (a spicy drink of persimmon and cinnamon).

After eating ddeokguk, it is considered truly the New Year. On Seollal, traditional Korean folk games are played such as Yutnori, Paengichigi (top spinning) and Neolttwigi (standing, high-jump seesaw for girls). Young boys engage in kite battles by trying to cut each other's strings by coating their own with powdered glass.

So this year it will be easy to remember Korean new year since it will fall on St Valentine's Day.

English            Form or pattern

Korean           Hyoung

Japanese         Kata

Mandrin          Xian

Cantonese      Ying / Kuen

            First of all we need to define what form is:  Form is a pre-arranged sequence of moves, using blocks and attacks in a logical order, fighting an imaginary opponent, using timing, coordination, rhythm and power in a grace like movement.

The hanja for hyoung is made up of two characters, the top 刑 means to shave or to mold or law. The bottom one 土 is soil or clay. The literal translation of the Kanji for form is "One who molds clay". But as martial artists and looking back at the other hanja, we realize there is always more than meets the eye. I hope you get a deeper appreciation for hyoung/form after reading this, since form is the soul of Taekwon-Do.

 The deeper meaning of this hanja for form is: through a strict procedure, the master artisan (master instructor) will take the clay (the student) and through this process of strict rigid standards, slowly develop a useful vessel (the making of a martial artist). Form has as we have said has been called the soul of the martial arts.

            Do you as masters or instructors mold your students to a perfect vase through form, making your student a pieces of highly sought after art? Priceless works of art found in museums that you are proud of? Or do you let them breeze through without the strict standards not caring how the form looks? Considering form as nothing more than a bothersome yoke to get them to the next rank? Not taking pride in your work and letting them end up on the dollar store shelf, like common cheap pottery?

            You are martial artist, yes an artist, you are creating art, a living art. Take pride in your product take pride in your art, create master pieces!

History of Form

            No exact date can be found for the formation of form, but empty hand training is found in the hieroglyphics of ancient Egyptian tombs. Form has been nicknamed the "Oriental Dance of Death." Ancient times, it developed out of necessity, because of laws like that of Hamurabi, which stated an eye for an eye and tooth for a tooth. For safety, empty hand techniques (even weapons) could be practiced at full power without injuring someone.

            Eventually, as armies and warlords developed secret movements, which were deadly, they were incorporated into set patterns to practice. When invading armies or new rulers took over, and the populace was disarmed, ways of self-protection were disguised in the forms. Since it became illegal to even practice any kind of martial arts, it became necessary to disguise the training. This can be seen in the Chinese Lion Dance for New Years or special occasions. Underneath the lion are specific hand techniques and foot work, hidden from the eye, but yet practiced to perfection. Some styles are based on just form, such as tai chi chuan

            The deadly movements became hidden in dance where they could be practiced openly. As different schools of thought developed in training, methods and techniques were hidden even deeper in the patterns and behind closed doors. Only the master could interpret the moves and only to his most loyal students or family. For those who were at 2009 nationals the senior masters, showed many hidden meanings and techniques in some of the forms the forms