Video: Taekkyeon, a Traditional Korean Martial Art
A look at one of the major ancestors of Taekwondo, Taekkyeon, and its continued practice in the modern era.
The Korean Peninsula is home to a number of martial arts style, most famous of which is Taekwondo. Much older than Taekwondo, and in many ways its direct ancestor, is Taekkyeon. The practice dates back to some of Korea’s oldest dynasties—murals from around 2,000 years ago depict people in traditional stances.
Although Taekkyeon has lost popularity with the rise of Taekwondo, it is still taught today with plenty to offer its students. The style emphasizes fluid, rhythmic movements that turn attackers’ energy against them. Offense focuses on quick, high kicks paired with balancing hand movements, though hand-based attacks are also used. The combination of hand and foot movements, and their potential to either strengthen or disrupt balance, is a central theme of Taekkyeon. When two adherents come together, the result is an almost dance-like exchange, usually ending with one person on the ground.
This video, courtesy of UNESCO, showcases Taekkyeon against the beautiful landscapes of South Korea. It traces the history of Taekkyeon, from its earliest development to the recent efforts to preserve the art and pass it on to new generations. Like other elements of its traditional culture, South Korea now recognizes and works to actively protect Taekkyeon to ensure its millennia-old customs aren’t lost.
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