Hwa-Rang

Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty (about 600 AD) early 7th Century. The Hwa-Rang youth group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three Kingdoms of Korea.

The 29 movements of Hwa-Rang refer to the 29th Infantry Division (where Taekwondo as a martial arts developed into maturity).

29 moves

4 kihaps

Note: “North” means the direction the student is facing before the form begins (usually the front of the room). Stances are described according to the foot in front (e.g. “left back stance” means a back stance with the left foot in front).

  1. Step out west with left foot into riding stance still facing north; slowly extend left hand palm,
  2. Combination right hand punch,
  3. Then left hand punch; Kihap
  4. Shift into right back stance to the east; twin out-forearm block,
  5. Grasp with the right hand and pull in while executing an upset punch with the left hand, then
  6. Pull right foot in before lunging out again in back stance right hand punch,
  7. Pull right foot into an upright vertical stance; downward knifehand strike with right hand,
  8. Step forward into left front stance to the west; front hand punch,
  9. Step with front foot into left front stance to the north; low block,
  10. Step forward into right front stance to the north; front hand punch,
  11. Use left hand to grab the wrist of the extended fist, pull back towards the left hip as if away from a grab; sliding side kick with right foot; Kihap
  12. Land in right back stance; knifehand strike,
  13. Step forward into left front stance to the north; front hand punch,
  14. Step forward into right front stance to the north; front hand punch,
  15. Pick up back foot and turn counterclockwise to left back stance facing east; twin knifehand guarding block,
  16. Step forward into right front stance; supported spear finger,
  17. Half step turn around into left back stance facing west; twin knifehand guarding block,
  18. Back leg roundhouse, land in front then
  19. Back leg roundhouse; land in left back stance facing west; twin knifehand guarding block,
  20. Pick up front leg and turn to left front stance facing south; low block,
  21. Shift front leg into left back stance facing south; back hand punch,
  22. Step forward into right back stance facing south; back hand punch,
  23. Step forward into left back stance facing south; back hand punch,
  24. Shift front door into left front stance facing south; low closed hand cross block,
  25. Step and slide forward into reverse L-stance—left foot pointed north and right foot pointed east while head faces south—double backwards elbow strike, kihap
  26. Pick up left foot and rotate counterclockwise into upright standing stance facing west with left hand up for inside block while right hand is down for low block; simultaneously switch the hands, executing a low block with the left hand and inside block with the right hand,
  27. Switch hands again, executing an inside block with the left hand and low block with the right hand,
  28. Step forward with left foot into left back stance facing west; twin knife hand guarding block,
  29. Pull front foot in and then step out into right back stance facing east; twin knifehand guarding block, kihap