Hwa Rang Do
Officially Hwa Rang Do (화랑도)
Comprehensive Korean martial art founded 1960 by JOO BANG LEE + JOO SANG LEE — claims lineage from ancient HWARANG YOUTH WARRIOR order (Silla Kingdom, ~600 CE). Combines striking + kicking + throws + joint locks + weapons + Ki (energy) work + healing (chi arts). Broader curriculum than most Korean arts; ~4,000+ techniques taught over multi-decade curriculum.
Quick facts
Category
Combat Sports
Type
Individual
Players
1–2
Duration
~90 min
Where played
indoor
Country of origin
🇰🇷 South Korea
Estimated origin
Founded 1960 by brothers Joo Bang Lee (born 1938) + Joo Sang Lee. Claimed lineage from ancient Hwarang (~600 CE Silla youth warrior corps) via Buddhist monk Suahm Dosa. World Hwa Rang Do Association founded 1968.
Olympic
No
Popularity
regional
How it works
Objective
Master 4 physical + mental + emotional + spiritual disciplines through comprehensive martial art training.
Rules
Basic rules
4 DIVISIONS: NAE GONG (internal Ki), WEH GONG (external technique), MOO GI GONG (weapons), SHIN GONG (mental)
Signature 4-fold curriculum.
SASH RANKS: black sash 1-9 dan; over 4,000 techniques in full curriculum
Signature sash rank system.
TAE SOO DO — junior/introductory belt-based rank system (color belts)
Junior curriculum.
COMBINES STRIKING + KICKING + THROWS + JOINT LOCKS + GROUNDWORK + WEAPONS + KI/CHI
Signature comprehensive scope.
HEALING ARTS — traditional Korean pressure-point + herbal medicine
Signature Shin Gong healing.
Scoring
Sparring: technique + intent scoring; multi-format.
Win condition · Judges' decision in sparring; testing for rank.
Equipment
Black uniform (dobok) with sash (belt)
Signature all-black uniform.
Weapons (later ranks): sword, bo staff, dagger, chain-based weapons
Multi-weapon training.
Terminology
- Hwarang
- Flowering knights — Silla Kingdom youth warrior order (~600 CE).
- Nae Gong
- Internal energy (Ki) development.
- Weh Gong
- External physical technique.
- Moo Gi Gong
- Weapons training.
- Shin Gong
- Mental/spiritual + healing training.
Major competitions
WHRDA World Championships
quadrennial · Global · since 1980
Where it is played
Governing bodies
World Hwa Rang Do Association (WHRDA)
Founded 1968 · Los Angeles, USA
Famous names & records
Famous athletes
- Joo Bang Lee (KR, co-founder)
- Joo Sang Lee (KR, co-founder)
- Taejoon Lee (US, current headmaster)
- Michael Jai White (US, actor + practitioner)
Sources & provenance
- Wikipedia — Hwa Rang Do— Wikipedia
- WHRDA official— WHRDA