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Mi Guk Kwan |
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Patch Philosophy |
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The Outer Circle Symbolizes the cycles of nature. The cycle nature of all life is borne out in numerous examples. The cycles of birth to death, of the seasons, planting to harvest, growth, stagnation and decline, order to chaos, are but a few examples of this. It also represents the earth itself and reminds us of our obligation to respect and protect the planet and environment in which we live.
Um / Yang Denotes the duality of nature and the law of opposites. Any item in nature exists in some sort of balance with its opposite. You cannot have love without hate. One cannot understand peace without the incidence of war. In fact one gives birth to its opposite and vice versa. The curved line indicates that in nature there are no absolutes. The lines that separate a concept or quality are not sharply delineated, they instead are represented more correctly as a gradual change, sort of blending, a change by degree.
American Flag (5 Star version) The American flag represents the philosophy of the West and the American way of life. It is superimposed over the Oriental UM/Yang in order to represent the blending of the philosophies of the East and the West
5 Stars Represents the five-element theory; Each of the fundamental movements of Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan represents one of the five elements. A step forward is identified with metal, withdrawal with wood, looking left is associated with water, looking right with fire, and central equilibrium is connected to earth. Water has properties of soaking and descending, (since water flows downward). Fire both heats and moves upward, (since flames rise in the air). Wood allows its form to be shaped into straight or curved pieces. Metal can be melted, molded and then hardened. Earth's properties include the provision of nourishment through sowing/reaping. There are four major principles describing changes in and interrelationships among the five elements: mutual creation, mutual closeness, mutual destruction, and mutual fear.
Chinese Symbol “Moo” Represents the prevention of conflict. Conflict resolution on an internal as well as an external basis is one of the major goals of a Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan practitioner. The symbol is drawn in eight strokes. Each stroke represents the eight points of the compass: N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW, SW. These directions correspond with the eight trigrams. The I Ching, also called the Book of Changes, tells of the formation of the eight trigrams, or Pa-Kua. According to Tachuan: in the system of the I Ching, there is the Tai-Chi, or the Grand Terminus, which generated two forms or Liung-Yi. Those two forms generated four symbols or Ssu-Hsiang. Those four symbols divided to further generate the eight trigrams or Pa-Kua. Each direction corresponds to different types of martial arts techniques. Warding off, or deflecting; rolling back or absorbing, pressing or slow steady pressure, (pressure points, application of wrist locks, etc.); and pushing; are located in the south, north, west and east respectively, hence are named the four directions or Ssa Cheng. The act of pulling down, or shocking the opponent by disrupting concentration and balance; of splitting or throwing; of elbow strikes, punching techniques, or kicking techniques; and shoulder strikes, or knee techniques; are in the southeast, northwest, southwest, and northeast, respectively, so these are called the Four Corners or Ssa Yu. Collectively these eight directions are often referred to as the Eight Gates. When we take the five stars and the eight strokes of the symbol for "Moo" we have a representation of the 13 influences of the Sip Sam Seh, from which the art of Tang Soo Do was formulated. The Chinese symbol also reminds us of the Southern and Northern Chinese influence in the development of Tang Soo Do.
Laurel Leaves The leaves represent life. Our art is living art and will continue to grow and evolve in accordance with the time, place, culture, where the art is practiced, as well as, the development of our individual practitioners. The leaves also represent peace. The ultimate goal of martial arts training is the fostering of world peace through human relations. There are 13 leaves on each side further emphasizing the Sip Sam Seh
Berries The berries represent the fruitful result of training. There are a total of eight berries each representing one of the eight key concepts, Courage, Humility, Honesty, Concentration, Endurance, Control of Power, Relaxation and Tension, and Speed Control.
Korean Symbols The Korean letters at the bottom of the patch stand for Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan, (Brotherhood or school in America where the way of the empty hand defense is practiced). Together with the Chinese symbol for "Moo", the Korean letters remind us of the Korean and Chinese influences that played in the development of Tang Soo Do.
The Colors of the Patch The colors of the emblem are consistent with the ranking system of Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan. The white area, the stars, and the white stripes of the American Flag correspond to the beginner level. The winter season, represents the emptiness, innocence, hidden potential and purity. The orange Chinese symbol for "Moo' symbolizes the second belt of our ranking system and signifies an awareness of one's potential. The green laurel leaves correspond to the intermediate student or green belt. The green belt represents the spring season with its growth, spreading, and advancement. The red berries and red stripes of the American flag corresponds with the advanced student or red belt. The red belt represents the summer season, the ripening of ones skills, active, (Yang). The blue portion of the American flag corresponds with the Dan student or blue belt. The Dan belt, (blue) equivalent of the black belt of other martial arts represents the autumn season, with maturity, calm, passive, (Um), harvest. The red letters outlined in blue for the Korean words "Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan" represent the master belt. The master is a master most importantly of himself. A fully integrated individual capable of teaching and directing Dans in the study of Tang Soo Do |
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About Tang Soo Do and the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc. The martial art known as Tang Soo Do is relatively modern. However, its basis, the Korean disciplines of Soo Bahk, and Tae Kyun, dates back many centuries. Tang Soo Do is a composites style influenced by the Northern Chinese arts, the Southern Chinese arts, and the Okinawan discipline of Karate. The Chinese influences were as follows; Basic Training (Seh Bop - method of postures, Bo Bop - method of steps, Ryun Bop - method of conditioning), and form and combat applications, (Dham Toi Sip E Ro, and "Tae Kuk Kwon"). The Okinawan influences were primarily a result of the Japanese occupation of Korea from 1910-1945. The term "Tang Soo Do" was the name Grandmaster Won Kuk Lee, founder of Chung Do Kwan originally applied to his art. After a meeting with Mr. Lee in 1947, Kwan Jhang Nim Hwang Kee decided to integrate the art of "Tang Soo Do" (Okinawan discipline of Karate) into his Hwa Soo Do discipline. Our kicking techniques, for which Tang Soo Do is recognized are based on the ancient Korean kicking style of Tae Kyun which were later formalized by Grandmaster Hwang Kee, founder of the Hwa Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan style. Tang Soo Do is both a hard and soft style, deriving its hardness in part from Soo Bahk and its soft flowing movements from the Northern and Southern Chinese systems. Grandmaster Charles Ferraro, founder of the Mi Guk Kwan system, began his studies in Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan in 1967 under Mr. Robert Cheezic, pin #2278. After the formation of the U. S. Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan Federation in 1976. Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro became a student of Master Hyun Chul Hwang, son of Grandmaster Hwang Kee. From 1976-1996 Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro studied and obtained a high level of proficiency in many martial and natural health disciplines, (8th Dan - Recognized as Founder (Kwan Jhang Nim) of Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan, 6th Dan Ju-jutsu, 5th Dan Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan, 5th Dan Aiki-jutsu, 3rd Dan American Goju, Certified Instructor Kali, and Master of Reiki - the art of natural healing). Kwan Jhang Nim Charles Ferraro opened his first Dojang in 1976 in New Haven, CT, under the name of New England Tang Soo Do Academy. After moving his Dojang to West Haven, CT in 1978, Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro decided to change the name of his school to West Haven Academy of Karate, Achievement Centers. At the time of this writing Grandmaster Ferraro and his students have opened eighteen Dojangs in four states. Because of the aforementioned achievements, growth and development of the various Dojangs, and the philosophical and fiscal direction of the existing federations, Grandmaster Charles Ferraro founded and established the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan, ("A brotherhood, school, and place in America to practice the way of the empty hand defense"). On December 9th, 1995, fifty-nine of Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro's senior students and studio owners held an unprecedented and historic meeting. It was at this meeting that it was decided by unanimous vote to form a new martial arts organization. It was through the dedicated efforts of those in attendance at this inaugural meeting that the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc. was formed with Kwan Jhang Nim Charles Ferraro as its president. Although Tang Soo Do and its great combat applications can be adapted to competition, it is not a sport. As a classical martial art, its purpose is to develop every aspect of the "self" in order to create a mature person who totally integrates his/her intellect, body, emotions, and spirit. This integration helps to create a person who is free from inner conflict and who can deal with the outside world in a mature, intelligent, forthright, and virtuous manner. The Mi Guk Kwan name gives us a direction where we can blend the philosophies of the East and the West, a vehicle through which we can focus our mental training and foster the American way of life. Tang Soo Do is the technique, Mi Guk Kwan is the philosophy. Tang Soo Do technique requires the mental discipline that Mi Guk Kwan offers. The two combined produce the total integration of mental, spiritual, and physical development which increases the benefits of each. From their harmony an awareness of being is created that makes Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan training a valuable art form. As a result of the decision to form the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan Association, Inc., an elected and appointed Board of Directors was established to guide it's membership in the growth and continuation of Tang Soo Do in the United States. The Board also maintains the standards of excellence set by Grandmaster Charles Ferraro and his appointed Technical Advisory Committee. The chartered members of the TAC are Sa Bom Nim Richard Kopf, Sa Bom Nim Howard Dugan, and Sa Bom Nim Joseph DeVita. Due to the vision, courage, and action of Kwan Jhang Nim Ferraro and many mature, intelligent, and independent individuals including the Charter Members, Technical Advisory Committee and Board of Directors who worked to create the Association, the future success of the Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan is a virtual certainty. Tang Soo Do practitioners are positive thinkers with a "rock-hard determination" to succeed. We are proud of our achievements, yet we know there is much more to learn. We are winners who share an unbreakable solidarity, yet we have independence to speak what we feel. These qualities will forever hold us together as kinsmen, as a family, and assure future generations that they will inherit the way of Tang Soo Do Mi Guk Kwan. |