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Hangul 화랑
Revised Romanization Hwarang
McCune–Reischauer Hwarang
A modern day Korean representing a Silla Hwarang
Damyeom-ripbon-wang-heedo(唐閻立本王會圖)6th century, China envoy to visit. left-to-right : Wa, Silla, Baekje Ambassador



Traditional sources for Hwarang[edit]







It should be noted that this origin story is most likely based on myth and legend, as the term wonhwa is composed of won 源; literally source, and undoubtedly refers to the founders of the sect, while hwa 花; literally flower, is a euphemism for someone who has spent a great deal of time or money in the pursuit of something, i.e. a devotee. In the case of the wonhwa, devotion to philosophy and the arts. Furthermore, while the names nammo and junjeong could have been appellations adopted by these two ladies for use in court, one cannot overlook the obvious descriptions they portray. Nammo hints at one who is careless yet lucky, or perhaps someone that's innately insightful and therefore lackadaisical about further erudition. Junjeung clearly indicates a person who is talented and virtuous, despite the fact that she was the one who succumbed to homicidal tendencies. It would be logical to assume that if someone had to work hard, maybe even struggle with attaining certain goals, that envy might consume them if their counterpart, especially if viewed more as a rival, seemed to reach the same objectives with substantially less effort.


At some point thereafter, according to the Samguk Yusa, the Silla king, "concerned about the strengthening of the country ... again issued a decree and chose boys from good families who were of good morals and renamed them hwarang."[8] The actual word used in this chronicle is hwanang (花娘), meaning "flower girls".[9] This suggests that the Hwarang were not originally military in character, as the Wonhwa were not soldiers. These youths that were chosen by the Silla Kingdom became the knights and warriors for the Silla Dynasty within the age of the Three Kingdoms of Korea. A close relationship did exist between the Hwarang and Buddhism because Buddhism was accepted as a state religion by the royalty and aristocrats within the Silla Kingdom.[10] The Buddhist monks would often be mentors for the Hwarang in both physical and spiritual ways. The Hwarang would seek the teachings of these Buddhist monks because they knew that the martial arts possessed by these Buddhist monks were a source through which they could strengthen themselves for greater success in the future and for the benefit of the Silla Kingdom.[11] The monks would train themselves in physical fitness exercises through self-defense techniques, countering the weakening effects of long-term meditation and enabling them to protect themselves from bandits and robbers who tried to steal the donations and charities that were collected by the monks on their pilgrimages.[12] Both the Buddhist monks and the Hwarang would go on journeys to famous mountains to heighten their training and would seek encounters with supernatural beings for protection and success of the Silla Kingdom. Won Gwang Beop Sa (圓光法士) was a Buddhist monk who was asked by the Hwarang to teach them ways in developing ambition, bravery, and honor, in order to protect the Silla Kingdom from the other kingdoms inhabiting the peninsula. Won Gwang trained these youths in three areas 1.) Self-defense capabilities 2.) Self-confidence 3.) Self-control

Won Gwang taught the youths of the Hwarang to become warriors who could defend their beliefs with martial arts, to be confident in their actions, and to control themselves and their surroundings. Won Gwang gave to these Hwarang, martial arts techniques that combined the secret Buddhist monk's physical exercises, along with Taek Kyeon, the art of foot fighting that existed at that time (also known as: gwonbeop). Won Gwang also proposed 5 principles or guidelines that were later called the Five Precepts for Secular Life {Se Sok O Gye; 세속오계; 世俗五戒} which became a list of ethics that the Hwarang could embrace (this is why he is commonly known as Beop Sa or "lawgiver"):
1.) Show allegiance to one’s sovereign. {sa·gun·i·chung; 사군이충; 事君以忠}
2.) Treat one's parents with respect and devotion. {sa·chin·i·hyo; 사친이효; 事親以孝}
3.) Exhibit trust and sincerity amongst friends. {gyo·u·i·sin; 교우이신; 交友以信}
4.) Never retreat in battle. {im·jeon·mu·toe; 임전무퇴; 臨戰無退}
5.) Exercise discretion when taking a life. {sal·saeng·yu·taek; 살생유택; 殺生有擇}

These commandments and teachings of Won Gwang were followed by the Hwarang to protect the Silla Kingdom from rivaling kingdoms and helped unify the nation of Ancient Korea until the fall of the Silla Kingdom.




The Hwarang in the later 6th and 7th centuries trained in horsemanship, swordsmanship, archery, javelin and stone throwing, polo, and ladder-climbing.[14] By the seventh century the organization had grown greatly in prestige and numbered several hundred bands.[15]




  • 원화 - Wonhwa: royal female patron {源花} (disbanded)
  • 국선 - Gukseon: Grand Master {國先}
  • 풍월주 - Pungwolju: Chief officer {風月主}
  • 원상화 - Wonsanghwa: first officer in charge of training {院相花}
  • 화랑 - Hwarang: team commanders {花郎}
  • 낭도 - Nangdo: team members {郎徒}

Five commandments[edit]

Two youths, Gwisan (귀산,貴山) and Chwihang (취항, 取項), approached the Silla monk Won Gwang (원광, 圓光) seeking spiritual guidance and teaching, saying, “We are ignorant and without knowledge. Please give us a maxim which will serve to instruct us for the rest of our lives.”[19]


  2. Love and respect your parents(sachin ihyo; 사친이효; 事親以孝; 부모님께 효도하고)


Famous Hwarang[edit]

  • Kim Yushin
  • Kim Alcheon
  • Kim Wonsul
  • Gwanchang-The son of General P’umil who died as a martyr in the wars of unification within the Three Kingdom Era of Ancient Korea. Gwangchang was a Hwarang commander at the age of 16 and second in command of the Hwarang-do who fought against Paekche. After being caught by the Paekche forces, the general of Paekche lifted Gwanchang’s helmet to be surprised seeing a child as a high-ranking officer. Thinking of his own son, the general released Gwanchang instead of executing him and allowed him to return to the Silla army. Pleading with his father, Gwanchang was allowed to fight again the next day against Paekche. After a day’s battle Gwanchang was defeated and again captured. He broke free from his guards and attacked and killed Paekche’s chief commander but was subdued afterwards. Gwanchang was sentenced to death and the general of Paekche attached his head on his horse and sent it to the Silla army. General P’umil grasped his son’s head and was proud yet grief-stricken; he shouted, “He was able to die in the service of the king. There is nothing to regret.” The Hwarang rode into battle with determination and ferocity, successfully defeating Paekche due to the efforts of Gwangchang during the battle of Hwang San Bul.[20][21]

Other uses of Hwarang[edit]

Ribbon of the present day Hwarang Medal (South Korean Order of Military Merit, Fourth Class)


  • Grandmaster Ho Sik Pak named his martial arts federation the "Hwa Rang World Tang Soo Do Federation" in honor of the Hwa Rang.
  • Silla‘’新羅 花郎徒‘’ 興武大王·將軍 金庾信 Kim Yu-sin 後孫 a scion of a royal stock kim chul 實戰戰鬪護身術 創始者‘’Hosinsool.

See also[edit]


  1. ^ Shin, C.Y., p. 214.
  2. ^ Rutt, p. 22
  3. ^ Rutt, p. 30
  4. ^ Rutt, p.9
  5. ^ see McBride (2005).
  6. ^ Rutt, 20
  7. ^ Rutt, 19.
  8. ^ Translated in Rutt, 18.
  10. ^ Silla Buddhism and the Hwarang Segi Manuscripts, 2007
  11. ^ Silla Buddhism and the Hwarang, 2010
  12. ^ ACTA Black Belt Manual, 2007
  13. ^ K.D. Lee, 7-9.
  14. ^ Joe, 70.
  15. ^ Joe, 69.
  16. ^ Rutt, 21.
  17. ^ Peter H. Lee, 67.
  20. ^ 21. Hwarangkwan.org, 2014
  21. ^ 22. ACTA Black Belt Manual, 2007


  • McBride II, R. (n.d.). Retrieved 6 December 2014, from Silla Buddhism and the Hwarang segi Manuscripts. Korean Studies. (2007) Vol. 31 Issue 1, 19-38. 20p
  • McBride II, R. (n.d.). Retrieved 6 December 2014, from Silla Buddhism and the Hwarang. Korean Studies. Vol. 34 Issue 1. (2010) 54-89. 36p
  • ACTA Black Belt Manual,. (2007). History of Tae Kwon Do. Retrieved 6 December 2014, from ACTA Black Belt Manual
  • Hwarangkwan.org,. (2014). Kwan_Chang. Retrieved 6 December 2014, from http://www.hwarangkwan.org/kwan_chang.htm
  • Shin, Chi-Yun. "Glossary of key terms". New York: New York University Press, 2005.