Hwa Rang Do® and its "undergraduate" style Tae Soo Do® -the way of worriar spirit - is the direct descendent of the art practiced by Hwa Rang "Flowering Manhood" Warriors from 540 A.D. in the kingdom known as Silla in present day Korea. The Hwa Rang were young members of nobility who were recruited and taught martial arts, warfare, literature, poetry, dance, philosophy and Buddhism in order to become models and leaders. Silla, with its elite Hwa Rang warriors, was able to unite the whole of the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for the first time in history. Thus the roots of what is now known by the modern martial art name Hwa Rang Do®, founded by Dr. Joo Bang Lee, originated from the combat skills of the Hwa Rang Warriors and the system has been developed according to the ancient principles of Um-Yang, which emphasizes balance and harmony with others and nature.

Hwa Rang Do® is one of the most comprehensive systems of self-defense and combative techniques to be found in the world today. The Hwa Rang Do® program includes hard/linear movements, soft/circular movements, foot and hand techniques (kicking and punching), joint manipulation, takedowns/throws/sweeps, groung fighting/grappling, weapon, development of KI (meditation/breathing) and finally healing. It is an art, and not a sport, therefore while there's emphasis on effectiveness of techniques, there's also emphasis on discipline, respect, and tradition.

Tae Soo Do® was developed for the beginner martial artists. It is the mandatory prerequisite program for students that are new to the study of Hwa Rang Do®. Tae Soo Do® focuses on the basic martial art skills, linear movements in a "hard" style to build body awareness, balance, power and speed, in order to build a strong foundation for entrance into the Hwa Rang Do level. You will also learn mechanics underlying the physical realm of training, while also developing a greater understanding of the philosophies inherent in the practice of a martial art. After you receive a black belt in Tae Soo Do program, you will enter the Hwa Rang Do program as a Yellow Sash. For rank progression, see below.

Again, for a complete information about Hwa Rang Do®/Tae Soo Do®, please go to http://www.hwarangdo.com.

Students generally start as Tae Soo Do white belt. Once students receive black belt in Tae Soo Do, they will start as Hwa Rang Do Yellow sash. To view our students list with their belt rank, please click here.

Tae Soo Do Moo Kub (9th Grade) --- White Belt
Tae Soo Do Pal Kub (8th Grade) --- Orange Belt
Tae Soo Do Chil Kub (7th Grade) --- Yellow Belt
Tae Soo Do Yuk Kub (6th Grade) --- Green Belt
Tae Soo Do Oh Kub (5th Grade) --- Purple Belt
Tae Soo Do Sa Kub (4th Grade) --- Blue Belt
Tae Soo Do Sam Kub (3rd Grade) --- Brown Belt
Tae Soo Do E Kub (2nd Grade) --- Red Belt
Tae Soo Do IL Kub (1st Grade) --- 1/2 Black Belt
Tae Soo Do Cho Dan (1st Degree) --- Black Belt = Hwa Rang Do Chil Kub (7th Grade)

Hwa Rang Do Moo Kub (9th Grade) --- White Sash
Hwa Rang Do Pal Kub (8th Grade) --- Orange Sash
Hwa Rang Do Chil Kub (7th Grade) --- Yellow Sash
Hwa Rang Do Yuk Kub (6th Grade) --- Green Sash
Hwa Rang Do Oh Kub (5th Grade) --- Purple Sash
Hwa Rang Do Sa Kub (4th Grade) --- Blue Sash
Hwa Rang Do Sam Kub (3rd Grade) --- Brown Sash
Hwa Rang Do E Kub (2nd Grade) --- Red Sash
Hwa Rang Do IL Kub (1st Grade) --- 1/2 Black Belt
Hwa Rang Do Cho Dan (1st Degree) --- Black Sash

Hwa Rang Cho Dan --- 1st Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do E Dan --- 2nd Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Sam Dan --- 3rd Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Sa Dan --- 4th Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Oh Dan --- 5th Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Yuk Dan --- 6th Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Chil Dan --- 7th Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Pal Dan --- 8th Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Gu Dan --- 9th Degree Black Sash
Hwa Rang Do Ship Dan --- 10th Degree Black Sash