Modern Hwarang-Do

Founded by Joo Bang Lee, modern Hwarang-do is an eclectic mix of hard and soft techniques with linear and circular movements that loop or follow an oval, and can be used offensively or defensively. Hwarang-do also utilizes fantastic jumping and spinning kicks, locks, throws, chokes, and basic wrestling. Weaponry includes spear, sword, sticks, and knives. Famous modern Hwarang-do practitioneers include the first female world champion of professional full-contact karate, Graciela Casillas(1956-), and author and instructor Michael Echanis (1950-1978). Finally, Hwarang is also a Korean form or hyung, named after the Hwarang warriors, which is purported to have originated in the Silla Dynasty.

Modern Hwarang-do, or Way of the Flowering Knights, is a purely Korean moral and philosophical code that includes a series of physical techniques claimed by its founder to have been practiced by the Hwarang warriors of the Silla Dynasty. This claim is also made by many Tae Kwon Do stylists, who argue that the precursor to their art, called Tae Kyon or Subak, meaning "unarmed combat," was originally the preserve of the Hwarang warriors.

Unfortunately, there are no extant historical documents nor archeological records to support these claims. Indeed, historical records indicate that the Hwarang warriors, while remarkably adept archers and accomplished swordsmen, practiced only rudimentary unarmed combat skills, and left no existing records of a fencing school, or a complete unarmed combat system. However, the lack of historical documentation should in no way detract from the practice of modern Hwarang-do, a legitimate and respectable martial art for any serious Korean combat stylist. Indeed, all Korean fighting arts owe a debt to the Hwarang's illustrious traditions.