To understand the movements and techniques of Hapkido, three theories must be
studied:
Yu - Water
Water symbolizes many things in Korea. It is adaptable. Water never fights
against the objects in its path. There is no conflict, rather water moves around
the objects in its path. It never loses its form. We should learn to adapt in
the same way as water to survive the obstacles we all face in our life.
Won - Circle
In Hapkido, the circle represents natural and continuous movement. It also
symbolizes the evolution of a martial artist's training. For as a martial artist
gets closer to the black belt objective, he becomes aware that he is returning
to the place that he started, thus completing the circle of his training. As he
progresses, he starts a new circle with the advantage of the knowledge he has
acquired. The new circles will be much smaller like spirals, which will lead the
martial artist not forward but upward.
Wha - Harmony
While training in Hapkido, the simultaneous combination of body, mind and technique
must always be present. The Harmony of body, mind and technique is essential to
the Hapkido practitioner. As the practitioner learns to attain harmony within
himself, it becomes possible for him then to achieve harmony with the adversary.
From there, one learns to achieve harmony within a situation. And finally, one
learns to achieve harmony between oneself, the adversary and situation.