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Represents the prevention of conflict. Conflict resolution
on an internal as well as an external basis is one of the major goals of a Tang Soo Do Mi
Guk Kwan practitioner. The symbol is drawn in eight strokes. Each stroke represents the
eight points of the compass: N, S, E, W, NE, SE, NW, SW. These directions correspond with
the eight trigrams. The I Ching, also called the Book of Changes, tells of the formation
of the eight trigrams, or Pa-Kua. According to Tachuan: in the system of the I Ching,
there is the Tai-Chi, or the Grand Terminus, which generated two forms or Liung-Yi. Those
two forms generated four symbols or Ssu-Hsiang. Those four symbols divided to further
generate the eight trigrams or Pa-Kua. Each direction corresponds to different types of
martial arts techniques. Warding off, or deflecting; rolling back or absorbing, pressing
or slow steady pressure, (pressure points, application of wrist locks, etc.); and pushing;
are located in the south, north, west and east respectively, hence are named the four
directions or Ssa Cheng. The act of pulling down, or shocking the opponent by disrupting
concentration and balance; of splitting or throwing; of elbow strikes, punching
techniques, or kicking techniques; and shoulder strikes, or knee techniques; are in the
southeast, northwest, southwest, and northeast, respectively, so these are called the Four
Comers or Ssa Yu. Collectively these eight directions are often referred to as the Eight
Gates. When we take the five stars and the eight strokes of the symbol for "Moo"
we have a representation of the 13 influences of the Sip Sam Seh, from which the art of
Tang Soo Do was formulated. The Chinese symbol also reminds us of the Southern and
Northern Chinese influence in the development of Tang Soo Do. |