The Secrets of the Warrior-Scholar · The origins of Tang Soo Do and Moo Sa Do’s Symbol / Logo By Master Daniel Segarra When I created the Martial Art known as Moo Sa Do Kwan I

The Secrets of the Warrior-Scholar

The Symbol of Moo Sa Do Kwan

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The origins of Tang Soo Do and Moo Sa Do’s Symbol / Logo By Master Daniel Segarra

When I created the Martial Art known as Moo Sa Do Kwan I did so

out of necessity not desire. I wanted a curriculum that could truly

take you from beginner to master step by step without the pitfalls

and politics of so many martial arts organizations I belonged to

before. To do this I knew in my heart that I had to do so not from

my Ego but from my center. Everyone has an Ego, to for some it‟s

obvious to others it‟s not, they usually have an abnormally large

ego and as we say in the Korean martial arts:

“Large Egos are carried by small minds”

It‟s the subconscious almost invisible role the Ego can play that can infect some of our

decision making in negative ways. So to remove my Ego from the equation I simply and

repeatedly asked this powerful question:

“How would my Grandmaster do this?”

This made me think on a different level or „out of the box‟ if you will. As Einstein said „No

problem can be solved on the same level of consciousness that created it” I elevated my

consciousness with this simple question and the ideas began to flow so fast I could not keep

up with them. Asking yourself power questions like this taps into the magic inside you.

The Logo of Moo Sa Do Kwan is a result of this. It is very special as it has encoded in it the

Moo Sa Do Kwan philosophy and much thought and meditation went into refining it. I hope

this guide gives you a deeper appreciation of the depth and breadth of your art and inspires

you to explore your full potential in it. And I hope you often ask yourself „How would a Master

do this?‟ Then do it that way.

Thank you,

In the spirit of the martial arts;

Dan Segarra


The Five components of the Moo Sa Do Kwan Logo

The MSD Logo comprises of Five components:

1. The hands

2. The Stripes

3. The Belt

4. The Stars

5. The Chinese Writing

The hands

The Hands in the Moo Sa Do Kwan logo represent the Um and Yang opposites of nature. The

left open hand represents Um the soft, defense, expansion, relaxation and friendship.

The closed right hand represents Yang the firm, offense, contraction, and justice. Together

they show balance. The left open hand is in front of the right closed fist to show we prefer

peace but are prepared to defend ourselves and what is right.

The Stripes

The Stripes total five. This represents the five Universal energies (Wood, Fire, Earth, Metal

and Water). There are three red stripes within the Blue circle (belt) symbolizing Neh Kang Weh

Yu or Be gentle outwardly with inner strength. The White stripes represent inner purity and

clarity. The three red stripes also represent training the Mind, Body and Spirit or in Korean Neh

Gong (inner), Weh Gong (outer), Shim Gong (spirit).

They also represent the O Kae or Five rules of the Hwa Rang Knights.

In the year 540 A.D., Korean King Chinhung came to power in the Silla Kingdom at the ripe

young age of 7 years old and ruled until 576 A.D. One of his greatest contributions to Korean

History is the foundation of the "Hwa rang" Knights which eventually led to the unification of

Korea for the first time in history under the leadership of General Yoo Shin Kim. King Chinhung

called upon the services of Won Kwang Bopsa, who developed a moral code of conduct, which


would be harmonious with the laws of nature, the "Hwarang O Kae." As modern day Knights,

we still practice and abide by the Hwa Rang O Kae,

The Knights Five Rules of Conduct – Hwa Rang O Kae

1. Loyalty to one‟s country

Il. Sa Kun E Chung

2. Loyalty to one‟s parent and teachers

E. Sa Chin E Hyo

3. Trust and Brotherhood among friends

Sam. Kyo U E Shin

4. Courage to never retreat in the face of the enemy

Sa. Im Jun Moo Teah

5. Justice to never take a life without a cause

O. Sal Sang U Teck

In 1945 Tang Soo Do/Soo Bahk Do Grandmaster Hwang Kee expanded the original five rules

to ten. This is represented by the ten elements on the belt (the seven stars and the three

Chinese characters)

Ten Articles of Faith (Modern Knights Code)

1. Be Loyal to your Country.

2. Be Obedient to your parents.

3. Be Loving between Husband and Wife.

4. Be Cooperative and caring between brothers and sisters .

5. Be Respectful to your Elders.

6. Be Faithful and Loyal to your teacher.

7. Be Faithful and Loyal to your friends.

8. Face Conflict with Justice and Honor.

9. Never Retreat in Battle. Don‟t Give up!

10. Always Finish what you Start.


The Blue Belt

As mentioned in my publication the Secrets of the Warrior Scholar – The

Origins of the Belt Ranking System in Moo Sa Do we wear midnight blue

colored belts. This is actually the ancient tradition in Korea. Black belt being

of Japanese origin/ In Korea the Royal guards wore white uniforms trimmed

with Indigo (midnight) blue. This was originally due to that particular color

dye being very expensive so only Royalty and its vassals would usually wear

it. But colors also have a psychological effect and meaning to us. Blue

represents water, truth, maturity, humility etc. The psychological effect being

when practioners wear a midnight blue belt they understand they have more

to learn, whereas black colored belts symbolize and ending, blue represent a beginning. The

blue belt also represents the center or „Huri‟ in Korean also called the „Dan Jun‟. Emphasizing

that we operate from our center.

So attaining the level of Midnight Blue belt in Moo Sa Do is a major achievement and that is

why it plays such an important part of its logo.

The seven Stars

The Seven Stars symbolize the seven body parts, seven energy centers and the seven levels

of centeredness.

The Seven stars also represent the Dipper (斗宿) constellation which points to the North star.

This harkens back to the ancient times when travelers would use the North star to guide them

safely home, so to we use our training to guide us safely through life.

Seven Levels of Centeredness

1. Connect to your center

2. Maintain your center while being still

3. Maintain your center while moving

4. Maintain your center working in a group environment

5. Maintain your center with a cooperative partner

6. Maintain your center with an uncooperative partner

7. Maintain your center in danger or under stress.


The Great Bear

The Seven Stars also is represented in Western

Astrology by the Bear archetype. The Bear represents

the first form in Moo Sa Do due to its deliberateness

and power in movement and strong connection to the

Earth. In Eastern culture the Dipper is also central to all

other astrological signs.

Seven stages of being a member

1. Customer

2. Member (Casual member)

3. Jae Ja (Family member)

4. Kyo Jo (Instructors assistant)

5. Jo Kyo (Assistant instructor)

6. Kyo Sa (Teacher)

7. Sa Bom (Master Instructor)

Seven Body Zones

1. Head

2. Shoulders

3. Arms

4. Hands

5. Hips

6. Knees

7. Feet

Seven Human Needs

1. Physiological needs – air, food, reproduction

2. Safety needs – shelter, environment

3. Social/Love needs – relationships, family, groups

4. Esteem needs – personal accomplishment, recognition


5. Cognitive needs – to learn, understand and grow

6. Aesthetic needs – symmetry, order and beauty

7. Self Actualization needs – exploring your potential

The Chinese characters

The Chinese characters on the Moo Sa Do Kwan

Symbol represent living in balance from our center. The

three characters are Moo (武 warrior) Sa (士 scholar)

and Do (道 way or path). They remind us that our

decisions, choices and actions should be that of a

Warrior Scholar.

They character Do (道) is circled representing the

Warrior and Scholar sides of us should be balanced.

Also the circle plus the seven stars represent eight

compass points on the circle. The eight compass points represent the eight Natural forces,

which are similar but different from the Five Elemental energies.

The Eight Elemental Forces:

1. 火 Fire ☲

2. 地 Earth ☷

3. 澤 Lake ☱

4. 天 Heaven ☰

5. 水 Water ☵

6. 山 Mountain ☶

7. 雷 Thunder ☳

8. 風 Wind ☴

This combined with the Five elements Fire (火, Earth 土, Metal 金, Water 水 and Wood 木)

creates what we call the Ship Sam Seh or 13 martial forces and is covered in detail in Secrets

of the Warrior Scholar the Ship Sam Seh. The eight forces are symbolically represented using


a series of broken and solid lines called trigrams. When combined these form sixty four

hexagrams and are the basis for the oldest book in the world the I Ching and is an important

part or the Moo Sa Do System. The I Ching can be used as a tool to think beyond the Ego and

in accordance with nature. It is the basis for the Eastern Culture and Philosophy and due to its

simple beauty it also has had a dramatic impact on the West. The binary language which

ultimately led to the modern computer was developed in 1679 by Gottfried Leibniz who was

inspired by the trigrams in the I ching. When this Eastern philosophy met Western

Science the world was forever changed in a positive and profound way.

The three phases of development

The Moo Sa Do Kwan Symbol represents three

phases of Universal and Human development:

Phase 1 Universal - Cosmocentric

The Universes energy takes the form of Negative (Um

represented by the open hand) and Positive (Yang

represented by the closed hand) which creates the

Five Elements (the Five stripes), the Five Elements

creates the physical Universe (represented by the

Seven Stars). The Universal Laws are the “Do” or way. People that follow that way are called

Moo Sa Do In (Warrior Scholar People) represented by the three characters: Moo 武 Do 道

Sa 士.

Phase 2 Personal - Egocentric

Since you are a part of the Universe your energy also takes the form of Um (negative) and

Yang (positive) which manifests itself in Five elements. Balancing these we become centered,

we then test our center through seven levels of centeredness to explore our full potential as

human beings in accordance with the natural Laws this is the Warrior-Scholar Way. We learn

technically to deal with physical conflict through martial arts motions while at the same time

learning to transform our inner conflict into positive virtues within ourselves through Moo Sa

Do‟s unique martial art philosophy.


Phase 3 Interpersonal - Worldcentric

The hands also represent the senior/Junior relationship. The student goes through the five belt

colors (five stripes) and through the seven levels of membership (customer, member, jae ja,

kyo Jo, Jo Kyo, Kyo Sa and Sa Bom) we help them along their paths as Warrior-Scholar‟s so

in this way Moo Sa Do has the potential to positively impact many people through its members

sharing their knowledge with others. The modern Knights of the Moo Sa Do style have helped

spread Moo Sa Do‟s positive philosophy throughout the world.

1. Phase 1 Cosmocentric you understand you are part of nature

2. Phase 2 Egocentric you begin training yourself to begin connecting with nature

3. Phase 3 Worldcentric you understand your role in Moo Sa Do and help others through

your example.

道

Cosmocentric

Universe

Egocentric

You

Worldcentric

Othes/Society


The Universal meaning

The Universes energy manifests as Um/Yang the positive and negative forces (The hands)

create the: 5 elements; Wood, Fire, Earth, Water, Metal (represented by the 5 stripes) which

create; The (7) Stars and all things in the Universe.

The Stars nourish life and growth (represented by the belt)

Life inspired the Moo Sa Do philosophy (represented by the Chinese characters)

So the logo reminds us to be in harmony with Nature as we are a part of it, from the inner to

the outer, the Microcosm to the Macrocosm.

This also reminds us that everything in us originates from the inner to the

outer in training. The outward manifestation of our presentation is actually

an expression of our inner self.

Movement and physical conflict

When the mind is balanced like the Yin (Um) Yang it tells the Hips

(center) to begin moving using the Five elements as reactions to the

threat. For example when someone aggressively attacks that is akin to

the Fire element. The balanced response would be to yield like water

extinguishing the fire. So the hips tell the other body parts (which equal

seven like the stars in the logo; head, hips, shoulders, knees, feet,

elbows and hands) to move accordingly.

In martial arts the body can also be likened to an army, the mind is the

general or ‟primary actor‟, the hips the captain, the elbows and

knees the sergeants and the feet and hands the soldiers. If this chain of

command is kept then movements will be natural and powerful.

Capitan

General

Sergeant Sergeant

Sergeant Sergeant

Soldier Soldier

Soldier Soldier


For example the General (Mind) tells the Captain (hip) to move, the Captain tells the sergeants

(knees and/or elbows) to move and they in turn move the soldiers (hands and feet). Like

clockwork cogs connected together, one affecting the other. Just like an armies victory

depends on quality leadership and good soldiers, quality technique depends on good basics

and a proper connection between mind (leader), captain (hips), and body (soldiers). And just

as in an army, a general must communicate clear instructions, so to must our consciousness

communicate clear instructions, and allow the natural chain of command to be followed. In

order to do that our minds (generals) must be prepared through proper training, attitude and

focus.

Inner Conflict

The Five elements are not just tactical responses which trigger physical responses but also the

key to inner alchemy turning the lead of negativity into the gold of self mastery. Each of the

Five elements has a positive and negative virtue:

Wood – Mokshijae 木試才 Wood Test Skill – The element wood is associated with anger. Just

like fire needs wood to burn, so, too, does anger. As with all emotions, we do not want to

suppress them; nature gave them to us for a reason, but it is equally important not to let them

get out of control. To pass the wood test skill, take away the fuel, and the fire dies out; focus

on being centered, and the anger subsides. Transform the anger into compassion.

Compassion for others leads to propriety.

Fire – Hwa-Ipjeok 水受牌 Fire Entrance Record – Joy is the emotion associated with fire. As

with all of the elements, we want to have balance. We want to cultivate our center, finding joy

where ever we are. Even the most mundane tasks can provide us with joy, if we apply the

proper attitude. Focus on the present moment; find joy in the simplest things. Don‟t chase

happiness. Invite it in, and you will pass the fire entrance record. The virtue associated with fire

is propriety. When we have empathy and compassion for ourselves and others this leads to

respect (propriety) which transforms the heart.

Earth – Toseunggeup 土昇級 Earth Ascending Level – Pensiveness is associated with the

Earth element. The Earth element can be grounding, or when deficient dreamy. As with all of


the emotions, we must be sensitive to our present level of centeredness, and adjust ourselves

accordingly. Aspirations are important but to turn our dreams into our reality we must balance

aspiration with perspiration. In other words, dreams are nothing without being grounded in

action. Acknowledge the present, take appropriate action and center yourself, to pass the

Earth ascending level. The virtue associated with earth is faith. When we have empathy and

compassion for ourselves and others this leads to respect (propriety) which transforms the

heart and strengthens our faith.

Metal – Geumsureon 金修練 Golden Cultivation– The metal element is associated with

sadness. It is natural to feel sad at times, but it is important to acknowledge the emotion, let it

happen and let it go. Instead of letting the sadness overwhelm us, we can cultivate the emotion

and turn it into something positive, like the alchemist who turns the metal lead into gold. The

virtue associated with metal is justice. When we have empathy and compassion for ourselves

and others this leads to respect (propriety) which transforms the heart and strengthens faith.

Our faith allows us to believe and gives us the motivation and confidence to act righteously,

just, and in harmony with our higher self.

Water – Susubi 水受牌 Water Reception Pillar – Fear is the emotion associated with water.

Crying and bladder control, weak knees are all effects rooted in fear. Fear happens when we

are thinking outside the present moment thereby protecting our minds into imaginary

situations. You cannot have fear when you are centered. Also fear affects the posture, usually

making you hunch your shoulders; straighten your posture like a column (pillar), breathe and

center yourself and you will pass the water reception pillar. The virtue associated with water is

wisdom. Empathy and compassion for ourselves and others leads to respect (propriety) which

transforms the heart and strengthens faith. Our faith allows us to believe and gives us the

motivation and confidence to act righteously, just, and in harmony with our higher self. Justice

develops wisdom and wisdom deepens our compassion. As our wisdom grows we can see

past illusions and outward manifestations of our inner selves. Wisdom allows us to see past

each person‟s mask and have compassion for their transgressions and struggles. Each time

we complete the cycle of the five elements our true nature becomes more brighter or as

Grandmaster Hwang Kee would say more „luminous‟.

So all the ingredients of this unique martial art can be used as a vehicle to self mastery. From


the most basic actions to the challenges

of combat we must practice them with

the original intent in mind. Which is to

transform ugliness of conflict into

the beauty of mastery. This practice is

called Su Il (守一) or keeping oneness.

Su Il means literally to keep, protect,

guard the one, or to be so strong no

one can disturb your peaceful mind.

Each time you go through the cycle of

the Five elements you progress higher

and higher in levels, at first you must

train yourself to enter a centered state

of mind. You extend this state through practice which leads to Stages. States are temporary

but repeated practice will lead to advancement in stages. States are temporary, stages are

permanent.

So as you can see one can practice traditions such as bowing, sitting, standing at attention

ignorantly thinking they only have value as an actual combat applications and completely miss

the opportunity to use them and the many other aspects of classical martial arts as steps

towards self mastery. There is a schism of understanding in classical martial arts for many.

Much of the classical martial arts were taught by people that were born of its culture and some

naturally and intuitively understood these concepts, many if not more did not, and with each

passing of these traditions especially when passed to the West the real value of them began to

fade and was lost. But when seeking to understand their original intent their value still echo‟s

hundreds of years later to those sincere few that seek it. Those few that put this alchemy into

practice understanding the value and purpose of traditions, techniques and philosophy are

rewarded with something more valuable than all the gold of the world.


Final Thoughts

So as you can see a tremendous amount of thought and care went into the development of

this special symbol or our art. Wear this symbol proudly and study its philosophy to explore

your full potential as human beings. One of the most beautiful things about the Eastern culture

is it can simplify a sometimes complex subjects so we can better understand them intuitively. It

is not in opposition to the Western philosophy but a different way of explaining the same

Universal concepts.

It is the Science of developing your full potential.

Moo Sa!


Well here we are at the end of this book. I‟d like to thank you for

your time and I hope some of my ideas and concepts are helpful to

you as you progress in your martial arts journey in Moo Sa Do.

If you are not yet a member of our organization and would like

more information about our style Moo Sa Do Kwan™, please feel

free to ask me any questions via our face book page:

www.facebook.com/moosado or visit our webiste: www.warrior-

scholar.com you can also contact me personally there and I will be happy to answer any

questions you have.

I am available to teach clinics both nationally and internationally to share the Moo Sa Do style

with those interested. Clinics can be on various topics and combinations of topics:

Ki Gong (energy exercises)

Advanced Ho Sin Sool (Self Defense) & Body guarding skills.

Sparring strategies

Meditation and mental technologies

Weaponry and improvised weaponry

And much more.

My extensive credentials and resume are online at; http://www.warrior-

scholar.com/blog/?page_id=178

My meditation book is available at; http://www.lulu.com/content/770689

My email is; [email protected] Thank you,

In the spirit of the martial arts;

Dan Segarra

http://www.facebook.com/moosado



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mailto:[email protected]


Secrets of the Warrior-Scholar Series

Mastering your Goals – Your guide to detting goals from white belt to master

From Tang Soo Do to Moo Sa Do the History of the FTKC

The Moo Sa Do Symbol

The Origins of the Belt Ranking System

The 13 Secret Principes

Leadership – The 12 Qualities to become a Leader

Mind Mastery Series

The Power of the Mind

Advanced Memory Techniques

Documents

The Secrets of the Warrior-Scholar · The origins of Tang Soo Do and Moo Sa Do’s Symbol / Logo By Master Daniel Segarra When I created the Martial Art known as Moo Sa Do Kwan I