| Martial Arts refers to a systematic style of personal | | | | martial arts were basically unknown in the United |
| combat. There are many different variations of the | | | | States until after the 1950's. An example of this lack of |
| arts. Here is an introduction to the subject. | | | | knowledge was given in the popular James Bond |
| Any discussion of martial art facts should begin with | | | | movie "GoldFinger", where Bond who was supposed |
| the meaning of the word itself. The term martial arts | | | | to be an expert in unarmed combat himself displays at |
| comes from the Roman god of war Mars. The phrase | | | | distressing lack of knowledge about the nature of |
| arc Martialis actually translates as the "arts of Mars." | | | | karate and judo. |
| Although there is no doubt that martial arts was | | | | Some non-Asian forms of unique martial arts include |
| developed in the beginning as a part of warfare, even | | | | khridoli which is a very ancient Georgian form that |
| from the earliest times it had other purposes. Today, | | | | used mostly bare hands and Glima, which is an ancient |
| marital arts are used for a wide variety of purposes. | | | | Scandinavian martial art that is thought to date back to |
| Some of them are very spiritual in nature and some | | | | the Vikings and is still the National sport of Iceland. |
| are non-spiritual. They include self discipline, mediation, | | | | Today, many forms of martial arts have become |
| self confidence, and sport. | | | | sports. Judo and Tae Kwon Do are both events in the |
| Although martial arts are thought by many to be | | | | Summer Olympics. Archery, boxing, javelin throw, |
| almost exclusively of Asian origin, the development of | | | | wrestling and fencing are other Olympic sports that |
| formal systems of self defense actually took place | | | | have martial arts roots. |
| world wide. The Europeans developed several unique | | | | Today, the increased media attention has brought the |
| styles of fighting including savate, the French kick | | | | ancient martial arts to a new level of popularity. Martial |
| boxing discipline developed by sailors and street | | | | arts movies and televised competitions have also |
| fighters. American Indians and Hawaiian islanders both | | | | helped increased the interest and exposure of martial |
| had their own forms of martial arts. | | | | arts. Although many of the ancient forms of personal |
| Although certain people brought knowledge of the | | | | combat that were developed over the centuries have |
| Asian forms of martial arts to the West from the very | | | | been lost, martial arts has experienced a revival |
| beginning of the contact between Asia and the West, | | | | through sport and competition. |