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Songahm Symbols and Traditions |
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Songahm Symbols & Traditions
Songahm Star
In philosophy pertaining to life, the late father of Songahm Taekwondo, Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee, described the Songahm Star created by the form as being an example of a day in the life of a person.
"Life has a center point. Everything on earth has a center point. This is where we obtain our balance. The center point of the human being is the heart, physically, emotionally and spiritually. The completed forms form a star with a center point and eight outer points, which create a circle if connected. This is the circle of life.
"Each day we live completes a circle: we rise in the morning from our place of rest; then, we go through the day accomplishing our goals and overcoming obstacles that life puts in our way; and, when evening comes, we return to our place of rest. We constantly try to improve this circle. We got to work or we go to school. Why? Because this is the way we complete the best circle. We try to have the best life. Study gives us knowledge that we can apply to make a living. The job is the resource we use to make that living. Diligent study and a good job results in a good pattern or 'poome-sae' in our life.
"Not only is the circle seen in day to day activity, but also in our entire life itself. We come from the dust of the earth and our bodies return to the dust of the earth. During the span between birth and death, we move throughout life setting and accomplishing goals. This is the reason all forms begin and end at the same spot," said Grand Master.
He continued, "As we complete each form, we must imagine ourselves as drawing a circle freehand. No one can draw it perfectly the first time, We just try to close the circle and then we adjust and refine it to make it perfect. It is the same way we must face life. We're not going to make it perfect. However, we can strive to correct the flaws as we move along. We must complete the circle, the 'Winner's Circle.'"
If a student is not aware of the place to begin or end the form, nor has a plan of action to get through the process, how can the student achieve the desired result? The same is true for success in life. Here are Grand Master Lee's words concerning this philosophy: "If a person does not know where to begin or end in life (setting goals), then that person will become confused when given a choice between two paths."
In a perfect Songahm star, the distance from the center point of the star to the east point is nine feet. The total distance from the east point to the west point equals eighteen feet, representing the number of forms in the Songahm system. All forms performed on the star traditionally begin facing the east in respect to Taekwondo's motherland.
The Pine Tree
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.
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 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.
The Rock
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 Okinawan 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.
The Scrolls of Songahm
Children of Songahm:
Listen as I tell about the old times and the new dawn.
In those unwritten years, thousands of lives ago, the first Grand Master also came to the mountain. His disciples and most loyal students followed his journey. He was a master of martial art.
Grand Master's vision was that mortal life is short, yet he had much to do and teach. Would his technique and tradition be lost as the morning mists? There were thousands of techniques and postures for the body in movement. There was a steel-tempering of the heart that could change a man's way in life. He studied how these lessons could live beyond written words of twice-told tales of olden ways.
As a master weaver looms fine-spun thread, he wove thoughts across techniques in patterns of art with life. As his students learned the fabric of his art, they could see techniques crossed with spirit...the art would remain in spirit and force long after the weaver was dust.
Disciples of Grand Master practiced these patterns woven for them by their master. And they, in turn, passed them to their juniors, generation after generation.
Did that first master martial arts weaver realize he had wrought so well that his art would live millions of days? Did his spirit touch us as he wove those first patterns for hearts of future generations? For he is with us even today. The techniques are the same in spirit as when he taught them. The tree has grown, but holds the same roots.
Other masters grafted their hearts into the great design. They added new life as parents in new generations add to the life of their family, and by adding, make it greater, not less.
With dawn drawing light across the sky, I Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee, invite you, my disciples, students, and family, to join me in a journey through out new day. Families need new generations to live - the spirit of Grand Master needs new enthusiasm and growth to be nourished in us.
I am duty-bound by the mantel of mastership to refresh tradition of spirit with knowledge and skills of our new age.
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