What does Hwoarang mean in Korean?
In the world of Tekken, a popular fighting game, there is a character by the name of Hwoarang. His unique and intriguing name often piques the curiosity of many, leading to questions like what does Hwoarang mean in Korean.
Meaning and Inspiration
The name "Hwoarang" (, pronounced " hwuh-RAHNg") is derived from two Korean words: (hwarang) and (yeonga). Literally, Hwoarang means "a beauty/flower-like brave soul," which is inspired by the Hwarang youth society, a group of aristocratic youth from Korea’s Silla kingdom period, known for their heroic bravery and noble behavior. These young men were deeply dedicated to the concept of patriotism, morality, and courage, values that defined them as noble and exceptional warriors.
Background
To understand the meaning and inspiration behind Hwoarang’s name, one needs to look back into Korea’s history. Hwarang, or (**) in Korean, literally translates to "flowers in young men" or "children of flowers." Founded around 660 CE by General Kim Yu-shin, the Hwarang movement aimed to instill morals, virtues, and education among young nobility and aristocrats. As Hwarang youth underwent intense training and physical and moral education, they acquired essential skills to lead others by example.
Their emblem, a peacock spreading its magnificent feathers, signified strength, power, and resilience, a potent symbol of courage. Within the group, friendship and camaraderie between peers were deeply valued as each member saw himself not just as an individual, but as a member of an extended family, ready to sacrifice himself for his loved ones. Emboldened by the phrase ‘For my brother (), I’ll be courageous; for my mother ()!, I’ll endure,’" exemplifies their strong loyalty.
Fitting Choice for the Tekken Character
When choosing the name for Hwoarang in Tekken, creators decided to incorporate this symbol of Korean heritage into a memorable and catchy character name. This fusion reflects Hwoarang’s noble essence: his fighting spirit is ignited by the concept of duty, loyalty, and his connection to the honorable warriors before him.
Did Hwoarang actually have an eye removed in a fight?
If there were any doubts on this topic, there exist hints in Tekken to guide us: during various instances in the Tekken lore, it has been speculated that Hwoarang lost his left eye (or, alternatively, only his eyelid and lashes) during an encounter or battle with other high-tier fighters.
In Tekken 3‘s storyline, when narrated by Jun Kazama and Jin Kazama (their mother’s children with other men), a flash cut reveals an alternate battle setting where Jin loses control under the Devil Gene. If this version occurs or at least did happen to this extent in Tekken 7 would require more knowledge and knowledge beyond the immediate given details.
Regarding Hwoarang.