Songahm Traditions

Songahm Taekwondo was developed to further the traditional martial arts, but not remain stuck in the past. It focuses on developing courtesy, humility, justice, friendship and many other important attributes. This is woven into the system, pattern and philosophy of Taekwondo.

Taekwondo: "the martial art that trains people physically and mentally"
Although the roots of Taekwondo can be traced back to the third century A.D., the actual word "Taekwondo" was not adopted until 1955. Because of the Japanese occupation of Korea, the martial arts of Korea went underground and was taught only in secret. After Korea gained its independence, war General Hong Hi Choi began a movement to unify the styles of training into one body (based on the traditional name, (Taekyon). His purpose behind the name change was to make the art a Korean art. The names being used at the time were Tang-soo Do (the Chinese word for "empty hand"), Gong-soo Do (the Chinese word for "empty hand" used by the Japanese in the translation Karate-Do), and Soo-bak Do (based on the ancient Korean art of Soo-bak), dated to over 1300 years ago.

Since the words were primarily reflective of the Chinese and Japanese arts, and because the poome-sae (forms) used were of Chinese, Japanese and Okinawan descent, General Choi decided to use the ancient word of Taekwon as a root from which to develop the current name for the art, Taekwondo.

"Taekwondo" officially recognized
General Choi presented the name "Taekwondo" to a committee specifically organized to choose a name for the national martial art. This committee voted unanimously to use the name and on April 11, 1955, the name was officially recognized by the government and Taekwondo became the national art of Korea. Taekwondo is made of three Chinese/Korean words: Tae, which means to kick or jump; Kwon, which means the fist or hand; and D, which means "the way" or the path as in a way of life.

In 1968, General Choi had a meeting with then Master Haeng Ung Lee. Master Lee was, at the time, teaching the Pyeong Ahn forms (pre-Taekwondo, Japanese based forms) to his organization of followers. General Choi taught Master Lee the first 16 Cheon-jee forms (also known as Chahng-ohyn system) in only four days and three nights. This was possible because the simplicity of each form allowed them to be learned with little effort. This system of forms was the first set of forms developed under the new "Taekwondo" of Korea.

Songahm Taekwondo
Literally translated, Songahm means "pine tree and rock." Grand Master Lee chose the pine tree as the symbol of Taekwondo for two reasons: first, because of its place in the Korean culture as a symbol of unchanging human loyalty, longevity, respect, and happiness; second, because of the parallelism between the pine tree itself and the student of Taekwondo. It is also interesting to note that the pine tree is the state tree of Arkansas, the place in which the Songahm system was introduced

The Pine Tree	The Student
In order for a seed to grow into a mighty pine, it must first die and be planted in the fertile soil	In order to become a black belt of Taekwondo, the student must first begin fresh and learn under a qualified Taekwondo instructor.
The seed will break forth form the ground and begin to grow. Gradually, the tree will stretch to the sky, its height only limited by the soil in which it was planted.	The student breaks off his white belt (representing that the student has no knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo) and sets goals for new heights. Gradually, the student will advance through the ranks being only limited by the student's and instructor's expectations.

The pine's attributes show a distinct correlation to the focused student.

The Pine Tree	The Student
A pine tree's rooting system is unique in that it travels straight downward deep into the earth instead of spreading out just under the surface. Most pines have deep roots (often as deep as the tree is tall) which is the main reason pines are seldom uprooted or blown over by heavy winds.	In the same way, a student should be firmly planted in his training and loyal to his or her instructor. The student must develop deep roots and understanding in Taekwondo or be easily uprooted.
The pine tree in rough winds and storms will bend, but seldom ever breaks under stress and pressure.	Just as the student of Taekwondo, in times of troubles and stress, must persevere, never becoming defeated in goals, and never "broken" by the problems he or she will face.
Pine trees can also grow anywhere. Climate and soil rarely are an issue in the growth of a pine. Pines are even found among the rocks.	The same is true for students, who can be trained and nurtured anywhere regardless of the surroundings.

The dedicated student continues to live according to the Songahm Spirit of Taekwondo regardless of how life around him or her seems to change. The "seasons of life" do not affect the sincere students of Taekwondo.

A rock, the second symbol in the word Songahm, is representative of the traditional style of Songahm Taekwondo.
Although the art behind Taekwondo has been around for over 1300 years, it has been through various changes of names, philosophies, and techniques. This shows its longevity, such as the longevity of a rock that can retain its shape. The earth itself is a large rock with dirt around it. Underneath all the dirt is a massive rock that has existed for thousands of years. The rock is a symbol of unity and a solid foundation.

Taekwondo took on the attributes of many other styles of martial arts, losing its traditions and focusing more on the sport than the art. Grand Master Lee not only returned Taekwondo to its traditional values and its focus on the personal development of the student physically, mentally and emotionally, but he also developed the first set of forms that were truly Taekwondo forms based on Taekwondo techniques (previous styles of Taekwondo borrowed patterns and styles from Chinese, Japanese, and Okinawa styles.)

The rock is solid and represents ageless history. It was created many thousands of years ago and remains basically the same today. Over the years, various changes may take place to the rock on its surface due to the elements that it must face. However, the integrity of the rock remains the same. It is still solid and a sure foundation. The same is true for Songahm Taekwondo. It was developed many hundreds of years ago and its surface has changed, but the integrity, the inner part of the style, still remains the same.