Editing Hapkido (section)

== Principles ==
On the "[[hard and soft (martial arts)|hard-soft]]" scale of martial arts, hapkido stands somewhere in the middle, employing "soft" techniques similar to [[jujutsu]] and [[aikido]] as well as "hard" techniques reminiscent of [[taekwondo]] and [[Tang Soo Do|tang soo do]]. Even the "hard" techniques, though, emphasize circular rather than linear movements. Hapkido is an [[Eclecticism|eclectic]], [[Hybrid martial arts|hybrid martial art]], and different hapkido schools emphasize different techniques. However, some core techniques are found in each school (''[[Kwans|kwan]]''), and all techniques should follow the three principles of hapkido:

* Harmony or blending principle ({{Korean|hangul=화|hanja=和|rr=hwa}})
* Circle principle ({{Korean|hangul=원|hanja=圓|rr=won}})
* Flowing or water principle ({{korean|유/류|流|yu / ryu}})

'''''Hwa''''', or harmony, is simply the act of remaining relaxed and not directly opposing an opponent's force. For example, if an opponent were to push against a hapkido practitioner's chest, rather than resist and push back, the hapkido practitioner would blend with the opponent, avoiding any direct confrontation by moving in the same direction as the push and utilizing the opponent's forward momentum to execute a throw. Thus, this principle is largely based on energy conservation, allowing the hapkido practitioner to remain strong and fresh while his opponent becomes tired throughout the conflict. 

'''''Won''''', the circle principle, is a way to gain momentum for executing the techniques in a natural and free-flowing manner (much like being swept up in a vortex). If an opponent attacks in a linear motion, as in a [[punch (combat)|punch]] or [[knife]] thrust, the hapkido practitioner would redirect the opponent's force by leading the attack in a circular pattern, thereby adding the attacker's power to his own. Once he has redirected that power, the hapkido practitioner can then execute any of a variety of techniques to incapacitate his attacker. The hapkido practitioner must learn to view an attacker as an "[[Energy#Scientific use|energy]] entity" rather than as a physical entity. The bigger the person is, the more [[Potential energy#Work and potential energy|energy]] a person has, and the better it is for the hapkido practitioner. Additionally, these circular motions are not limited to mere circles but can also take on spiral or even helical formations, which further serve to confound your adversaries.

'''''Yu''''', the water principle, is analogous to the concept of a "moving target" wherein the saying, ''"In regards to a stream, you can't step on the same water twice,"'' the current forever moves the water downstream and that persistent flow can erode away just about anything, even a boulder, which is often perceived as a substance that's "stronger" than water. Hapkido is fluid and does not rely on brute force against force. Rather it is much like water as an adaptable entity, in that a hapkido master will attempt to deflect an opponent's strike in a way that is similar to free-flowing water being divided around a stone, only to return and envelop it.