American Black Belt Academy

Key Philosophies in Tang Soo Do:

1. CHUNG JIK                          HONESTY
2. KYUM SON                           HUMILITY
3. HIM CHO CHUNG                 CONTROL OF POWER
4. SHIN  CHOOK                      TENSION AND RELAXATION
5. WAN GUP                            SPEED CONTROL
6. CHUNG SHIN TONG IL          CONCENTRATION
7. YONG GI                             COURAGE
8. IN NEH                                ENDURANCE

Ten articles of faith on mental training:

1. Be loyal to one's country: Sacrifice to fulfill your duty to your country and your people.  This is based on the spirit of Hwa Rang Dan
2. Be obedient to one's parents and elders:  Children shall be dutiful to their parents.  Parents should be charitable to their children.
3. Be loving between one's husband and wife:  From the mother's body develops man's happiness, as harmony and affection from love between the sexes.
4. Be cooperative to your brothers:  Hold together with cooperation and control
5. Be cooperative to elders:  Protect the right of the weak with courtesy and modesty.
6. Be faithful to your teachers:  Learn the truth through practice and duty, loyalty and affection.
7. Be faithful to your friends:  Honor friendship and be peaceful and happy with harmony and faith towards all mankind.
8. Know the difference between good and evil:  Be able to distinguish between good and bad with fairness and rightfulness.
9. Never retreat in battle:  Sacrifice for justice and capability and bravery.
10. Always finish what you start:  Move with action and sureness and hope. 

For more about Tang Soo Do refer to:

     "The American Tang Soo Do Association Training Manual"

or

    "This is Tang Soo Do" -
        By Grandmaster Richard Byrne and Master Penny Mitchel 

CODE OF THE HWA RANG DAN
(a.k.a. Code of Tang Soo Do)

Be loyal to your country
Obedience to parents and elders
Honor friendship
Never retreat in battle
Respect all life

Belt Colors and Their Philosophical Relationships:

 White Belt:
    Element - Metal
    Season - Winter
    Animal - Tiger

Green Belt:
    Element - Wood
    Season - Spring
    Animal - Dragon

Red Belt:
    Element - Fire
    Season - Summer
    Animal - Bird

Black Belt:
    Element - Water
    Season - Fall
    Animal - Turtle

Details