Be true to your school.
Just like you would to a girl or guy.
Be true to your school
And let your colors fly.
Be true to your school!

- The Beach Boys

One thing that is very noticeable about our school is that we bow to one another all the time. Many of you may be wondering why we bother. We bow for three reasons: to show respect, humility, and trust. By lowering your eyes from the person to whom you are bowing you are showing trust. The gesture shows that you trust that the person will not strike you when you are unaware. By lowering your head you are showing respect and humility. Your gesture acknowledges the other person’s rank.

Koreans have been bowing for thousands years. Master Lee says that the act of bowing is homage to the past; a way to maintain tradition and connect with the Korean heritage. Do you know why we shake hands? According to  Master Lee, in ancient times, most people’s weapon hand was their right hand, so when they went to shake hands, they held out their right hand to show that they would not attack the other person in an immoral manner. It is much like bowing.

Master Lee states that the way you bow is significant because your gestures give away the meaning behind the action.  You could either be going through the motions because you know that you must bow to the higher ranks, or you could really have respect for the person to whom you are bowing. For the Tae Soo Do students, bowing to a TSD black belt or Hwa Rang Do students is mandatory, but the Hwa Rang Do students, themselves, bow to each other voluntarily. The Hwa Rang Do students acknowledge to each other their accomplishments from the mutual journey of the difficult path of training.

Just like bowing is a form of respect, wearing your patches properly and maintaining your uniform shows respect for your school and your art.  Many beginning TSD students forget to sew their patches on their uniforms, or sew them on incorrectly, or even have their mothers and girlfriends do it for them! According to Master Lee, we were the only Hwa Rang Do School to have a school patch. The patch is a symbol of school pride. By sewing the patch on yourself, you are showing that you care about your school enough to do something that may be difficult for you. And I know that many of the students don’t know how to sew, especially you guys.  I watched my dad bleed all over his new Hwa Rang Do uniform trying to sew on one of his patches!  Similarly, having a clean, pressed uniform for demonstrations and testing shows the pride you take in your school and your art.

By now you may have realized that every thing we do in our school has some meaning.  As a beginning student, you are required to learn and repeat the gestures that are taught to you and to follow the etiquette but as you continue your training you find your own meaning in those gestures and you will commit yourself completely to them.  I am sure you’ve seen people “air kissing” but not fully committing to truly embracing each other. It is the same with bowing.  You either bow tentatively or you bow with pride and care and commit yourself to it fully. So when in doubt, bow and wash your uniforms!

Chloe Ginsburg – TGT Member