WEDGE-TAILED EAGLE
The eagle is a common symbol used by Hapkido organisations around the world representing power, speed, strength and bravery.
The Melbourne Hapkido eagle is based on the Australian Wedge-Tailed Eagle. As we are an Australian organisation, we acknowledge the traditional custodians of the country we train on, the Boonwurrung people and the greater Kulin Nation as a mark of respect.
The creator and spiritual leader of the Boonwurrung people and Kulin nations, Bunjil, takes the form of a Wedge-Tailed Eagle when travelling.
The Boonwurrung people remember a time when Port Philip Bay was a grassy plain before the sea levels rose.
During this time, it’s told the Boonwurrung people and Kulin nations were in discord, fighting with one another and neglecting the land. Over time the sea became angry and flooded the plain in punishment. The people went to Bunjil to ask him to stop the sea rising so all their lands would not be flooded. He told them if they changed their ways he would help. Bunjil entered the sea near Elwood / St Kilda and commanded it to stop rising.
This is the land we train on today.
We pay our respects to the elders past, present and emerging of the Boonwurrung people and Kulin nations, the traditional owners-custodians of the lands we train on.