Hwa Rang
Hwa Rang and the following pattern, Choong Moo, have an interesting place in this pattern set. They contain similar sequences to previous Chang Hon patterns, but they are among the first created despite being placed at the end of the color belt patterns. Knowing a little about the order in which the Chang Hon patterns were created gives some interesting insight when combined with knowledge of the origins their sequences.
Hwa Rang uses sequences from the first three Pinan/Heian kata, as well as two from Passai/Bassai-Dai. It is interesting, then, to see how some of them are reused in "earlier" patterns, knowing that Hwa Rang was created first, and seeing how they were later modified to differentiate them.
The following videos were used as reference:
ITF Legacy performance of Hwa Rang.
Hirokazu Kanazawa performing Heian Shodan, Heian Nidan, Heian Sandan, Bassai-Dai (Shotokan).
Hwa Rang opens with a forward palm, sometimes performed slowly, followed by two punches. This sequence is incredibly common in Karate kata. The example used below is from Bassai-Dai, which contains another movement that appears in Hwa Rang.
Knowing that Hwa Rang was created before Yul Gok offers a different perspective on the latter's opening sequence. It could be that Yul Gok simply opens with a punch to differentiate it from Hwa Rang, and that a similar sequence appearing in Sochin is simply a coincidence.
Movement 5 of Hwa Rang is described by the Encyclopedia as an "upward punch." However, Choi's 1965 book describes it as a "(middle section) block with (left outer) forearm." It describes the same movement of "HEI-AN PATTERN II" as an "inward strike with (left hammer) fist."
Choi's Heian Nidan used an inward strike, Hwa Rang used an inward block, and later, Won Hyo was created and reused this sequence with another inward strike. Perhaps they felt that these inward motions were all too similar, and changed Hwa Rang to an upward punch to differentiate them.
Regardless, Hwa Rang follows the opening punches with sections from Heian Nidan and Shodan, replacing the downward hammer fist with a downward knife hand.
Hwa Rang proceeds with a punch, followed by a grab and side kick resembling this kick in Bassai-Dai.
Hwa Rang proceeds with a knife hand and two punches before turning 90 degrees and executing another sequence from Heian Nidan previously seen in Won Hyo, though at another angle and with only one knife hand.
The following kicking section does not resemble anything found in Karate kata. For my thoughts these kicks: read here.
Moving South, the punch in the back stance resembles the 2nd movement of Heian Godan as performed in Shotokan, but this is likely coincidental. Said sequence of Heian Godan appears in full later in Yoo Sin.
It's possible that the low X block into the elbow strike was inspired by the low X block into double forearm block from Heian Yondan. Some Karate style will apply the block as a downward elbow, though this is likely just an interesting coincidence.
The sequence right before the end, the inner forearm block with low block, is taken directly from Heian Sandan.
Hwa Rang ends with a knife hand block on both sides. Heian Nidan and Bassai-Dai both end similarly, with Heian Nidan performing two on each side, and Bassai (pictured below) performing them at 45 degree angles.
