Hwarang: Difference between revisions

{{about|the Silla elite youth|the Korean television series|Hwarang: The Poet Warrior Youth}}

{{Infobox Korean name

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| mr=Hwarang

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The Hwarang were also referred to as ''Hyangdo'' ("fragrant ones" or "fragrant disciples" – 향도; 香徒), the word hwarang and its colloquial derivatives being used for everything from playboy to [[Korean shamanism|shaman]] or husband of a female shaman. The word remained in common use until the 12th century but with more derogatory connotations.<ref>Rutt, p. 9</ref>

 

==Traditional sources for Hwarang==

 

 

==History==

 

===Wonhwa===

 

Both sources record that during the reign of [[Jinheung of Silla]], groups of beautiful girls were chosen and taught filial and fraternal piety, loyalty, and sincerity (no firm date is given for this, and some scholars express doubt this even occurred during Jinheung's reign).<ref>Rutt, 19.</ref> However, the leaders of the two bands of Wonhwa, Nammo (南毛) and Junjeong (俊貞), grew jealous of one another. When Junjeong murdered her rival, the Wonhwa were disbanded. No doubt the details of this origin story are most likely based on myth and legend, despite the facts surrounding the foundation of the sect being true, as supported by various documented sources. First note that the term ''wonhwa'' is composed of won 源, "source", and undoubtedly refers to the founders of the sect, while hwa 花, "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 (royal)|court]], one cannot overlook the obvious descriptions they portray. ''Nammo'' hints at one who is careless yet lucky, or perhaps someone who is 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.

 

===Origins of the Hwarang===

[[File:Hwarang.jpg|thumb|left|A modern-day Korean representing a Silla hwarang]]

The youths who 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.<ref>Silla Buddhism and the Hwarang Segi Manuscripts, 2007</ref> The Buddhist monks were often 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 practiced 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.<ref>Silla Buddhism and the Hwarang, 2010</ref> The monks would train themselves in physical fitness exercises through self-defense techniques, countering the weakening effects of long-term [[Buddhist meditation|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.<ref>ACTA Black Belt Manual, 2007</ref> 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 the success/prosperous of the Silla Kingdom. [[Won-gwang|Won Gwang Beop Sa]] (圓光法士) was a Buddhist monk who was asked by the Hwarang to teach them ways to develop aspirations, 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:

The Hwarang in the later 6th and 7th centuries trained in horsemanship, swordsmanship, archery, javelin and stone throwing, polo, and ladder-climbing.<ref>Joe, 70.</ref> By the seventh century the organization had grown greatly in prestige and numbered several hundred bands.<ref>Joe, 69.</ref>

 

 

 

===Disbandment===

After establishing a [[Unified Silla]], the [[Silla-Tang War]], and reestablishing relations with the [[Tang dynasty]], the Hwarang lost much of their influence and prestige during peacetime. This group was reduced to a social club for Silla's elite through various names. They would eventually disappear after the fall of Silla, but they lasted through the [[Goryeo|Koryŏ]] dynasty until they officially disbanded at the beginning of the [[Joseon]] dynasty.<ref>Lee, Peter H. (1996). Sources of Korean Tradition, Vol. 1: From Early Times Through the 16th Century. Columbia University Press. {{ISBN|978-0-23110-567-5}}</ref>

 

* 원상화 – Wonsanghwa: First Officer in charge of martial arts training (原上花)

* 상선- Sangseon: Training officers for the Hwarang (上仙)

* 낭도 – Nangdo: Followers of the Hwarang (郎徒)

 

 

==Five commandments==

 

Won Gwang, who had gained fame for his period of study in [[Sui dynasty|Sui China]], replied by composing the ''[[Sesok-ogye]]'' ("Five Commandments for Secular Life"; 세속 오계; 世俗五戒). These have since been attributed as a guiding ethos for the Hwarang:<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://koreanhistoricaldramas.com/hwarang/|title=The Original Flower Boys: Hwarang-do 화랑도|date=2016-12-03|newspaper=Sageuk: Korean Historical Dramas|language=en-US|access-date=2016-12-04}}</ref>

 

== Famous Hwarang ==

* [[Kim Gwanchang]] (김관창)

 

 

{{Korean martial arts}}

[[Category:History of education in Korea]]

[[Category:Korean warriors]]

[[Category:Military history of Korea]]

[[Category:Silla]]