Is tae kwan do is a art?

Answer 1

The Korean National Martial Art is correctly translated from Korean Hangeul (written alphabet), and spelled as "Taekwondo" ("kwon" rather than "kwan"). In order to accurately define what Taekwondo is, and determine if it is an "art" might requires an in-depth insight into the entire content of the whole curriculum, but the simple answer is yes - it is an art. Then again, it is so much more than that.

The term "art" in the English language can refer to many things. While the word art is derived from the Latin word meaning "skill," this is not the only, nor most essential aspect of Taekwondo (or any proper Martial Art). "Art" can refer to creative work, a talented performance, perceived beauty (which is said to be "in the eye of the beholder"), as well as the mere study of a system or collection of knowledge.

Possibly, one of the most poignant and insightful interpretations of the term "art," as it applies to Taekwondo, is in the often archaic, and literary usage as in "wherefore art thou," which means "to be" as in the "be verb" (is, am, are, was, were,). A common expression of eternal truth is "What it was; what it is; what it shall be." Taekwondo is what is. It encompasses the nature of "being" and what it takes to live, survive, thrive, endure, defend and enhance one's life to the fullest extent possible.

The "do" suffix in many Martial Art systems (IE: Judo, Aikido, Karate-do, and Taekwondo) is taken from the Chinese term "tao." While "do" is commonly simplified in laymen's terms as simply meaning "art," "skill," "way," or "path" it is actually all of those combined. The "Tao" of life is ideal action - in any given situation - which culminates in desired results. It encompasses both the positive and negative ("yin & yang", or "um & yang) throughout the universe and in our human existence, and strives for balance and harmony, but the Martial Art, such as Taekwondo, focuses on the positive dominating the negative. This is why the red "yang" portion of the "Taegeuk" symbol (Taichi-tu variation) on the South Korean Flag is always positioned to the right (when vertical) or above (when horizontal) over the blue "um."

Taekwondo is an education and physical activity about life as human beings, therefore it is an art, way, and path of ideal action.