Grand Master H.U. Lee, the founder of the American Taekwondo Association, brought the ATA’s headquarters to Little Rock, Arkansas in 1977. Since that time, hundreds of thousands of people have traveled to the city for seminars, the chance to see old friends, and for the annual World Championships competition. As a result, the city of Little Rock has developed a close relationship with the ATA. When Grand Master H.U. Lee died in October 2000 from cancer, many of the city’s officials mourned with the ATA and their comments showed how much Grand Master H.U. Lee had done for their city. So, the Grand Master H.U. Lee’s wife, Mrs. Sun C. Lee and the ATA worked with the city to develop this Gate and Garden in the center of downtown Little Rock to honor Grand Master H.U. Lee. There are many elements of the garden, all with significance to the ATA and/or Korean culture. Why a Gate & Garden? In Korean culture a Gate is a symbol of welcome and gardens are places of tranquility, peace & rest.
The Songahm Fountain
Representing the bowls of the Master’s Ceremony- the top representing the Grand Master pouring out his knowledge to us- his students. The top bowl represents the knowledge of a student, which eventually spills over into the 2nd bowl, which represents the knowledge of an instructor. This bowl spills into the pool below, representing the knowledge of a Master.
The Songahm Gate
The Gate is designed -precisely- after a gate to a Korean Temple with special memories to Grand Master Lee. They even brought over experts from Korea to build it to be sure the gate was built correctly. Pictured here in front of the Gate, from L to R: Mr. George Frushour, Senior Master Dan Thor, Mr. Gary Betts and Mr. Corey Feldman.
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Master’s Ceremony Pictures
Grand Master Haeng Ung Lee
ATA Founder
1936 - 2000
Wall of Vision
Standing behind Grand Master H.U. Lee’s bust, inscribed with the names of the ATA founders and Masters.
The BeeRyong Bong
The Staff of
the Flying Dragon
This is a replica of the staff, which represents the Grand Master in Songahm Taekwondo. The actual staff is made of Jade, tipped with pure gold on the bottom and on the Songahm Star at the top. The turtle stamp of the Grand Master is at the very top, and the middle is hollow and hold the original Scrolls of Songahm. Around the main body of the staff is a picture representation the history of Taekwondo and the ATA.