Brief History of Tang Soo Do
The origin of Tang Soo Do, as well as any of the martial arts, is general and obscure, though there are a number of historical theories. The most credible and traditional view is that the martial arts did not start in any one country, but in all parts of the globe as it was needed by primitive people.
The ancestral art of Tang Soo Do can be traced back to the time when Korea was divided into three different kingdoms. Among the three kingdoms, the Silla dynasty was the most famous for the development of the martial arts. A corps formed of young aristocrats called the "Hwa Rang Dan" was the major group who developed the arts. These warriors were intstrumental in unifying the peninsula as the new Silla Dynasty. They also furnished many of the early leaders of that time. Most Korean martial arts trace their spiritual and technical heritage to this group.