This study aims to examine the background and die concrete physical activities of hwarang("flower of youth") of Silla for the purpose of deducing modem significance from a standpoint of the martial arts history. I have reached the following conclusions. First, the religious aspect of the hwarang was characterized by the factors of shamanism, taoism, and Buddhism. The actions of the hwarang as manifested in their physical activities originated from the ideological groundwork of the hwarangdo(hwarangship). The hwarangdo seems to have been based upon the racial tradition and belief for the express purpose of defending national territory and sovereignty by closely uniting and specially training the elite youth so that they could be of great use to the country not only militarily but socic-politically as well. When in perfect alignment with this supreme policy of the state, the hwarangdo seems to have functioned as the strongest internal movement - national movement. The central ideology of the hwarangdo were loyalty, filial piety, and mutual trust. Second, the physical activities of the hwarang may be classified into three categories - hunting, singing and dancing, and martial art. Hunting includes political and military methodology. Some hunting pictures of the Silla dynasty, however, showed scenes akin to recreation. Third, the physical activities of the hwarang had a close relation with education. It is worth notice that in training the hwarang not merely physical education but also moral and musical education were placed great importance on. On of the educational objectives in training the hwarang was apparently to produce Hercules or warriors that were m great demand in the country and society. The hwarng was supposed to be a youth of perfect health and undaunted courage and one who boldly stood up to an injustice. In short, the ideal the hwarang sought was to become a balanced personality with sufficient intellectual and emotional cultivation as well as being a master of martial arts by constantly practicing physical training.