Patterns(Tul)

9th Gup (White Belt / Yellow Tip)

Chon-Ji means literally "the Heaven the Earth". It is, in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history, hence it is the initial pattern played by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts — one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth.

8th Gup (Yellow Belt)

Dan-Gun is named after the Holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 BC.

7th Gup (Yellow Belt / Green Tip)

Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876–1938). The 24 movements represent his entire life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.

6th Gup (Green Belt)

Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD.

5th Gup (Green Belt / Blue Tip)

Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536–1584), nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea". The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38th latitude and the diagram (士) represents "scholar".

4th Gup (Blue Belt)

Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. The 32 movements in this pattern represent Mr. Ahn's age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison (1910).

3rd Gup (Blue Belt / Red Tip)

Toi-Gye is the pseudonym of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (1501–1570), an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th latitude and the diagram represents "scholar".

2nd Gup (Red Belt)

Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.

1st Gup (Red Belt / Black Tip)

Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Yi Dynasty (1545–1598), who is reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present-day submarine. This pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

2nd Dan

Kwang-Gae is named after the famous Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne.

2nd Dan

Po-Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400 AD) who was a famous poet and whose poem "I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a hundred times" is known to every Korean. He was also a pioneer in the field of physics. The diagram represents his unerring loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.

2nd Dan

Ge-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek-Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.

3rd Dan

Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak to Chondo Kyo in 1905. The diagram represents his indomitable spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.

3rd Dan

Choong-Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duck Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 14th century. This pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolize the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison, before he was able to reach full maturity.

3rd Dan

Ko-Dang is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man-Sik, who dedicated his life to the independence movement and to the education of his people. The 45 movements represent the last two figures of 1945, the year Korea was liberated from Japanese occupation. ITF under Grand Master Choi Jung Hwa keeps the Ko-Dang name for this pattern, performing the 45-movement set that the mainstream ITF syllabus introduced as Juche. The diagram represents Baekdu Mountain.

4th Dan

Sam-Il denotes the historical date of the Independence Movement of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1, 1919. The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.

4th Dan

Yoo-Sin is named after General Kim Yoo Sin, a commanding general during the Silla Dynasty. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 AD, the year Korea was united.

4th Dan

Choi-Yong is named after General Choi Yong, premier and commander-in-chief of the Armed Forces during the 14th century Koryo Dynasty. Choi Yong was greatly respected for his loyalty, patriotism, and humility. He was executed by his subordinate commanders headed by General Yi Sung Gae, who later became the first king of the Yi Dynasty.

5th Dan

Yon-Gae is named after a famous general during the Koguryo Dynasty, Yon Gae Somoon. The 49 movements refer to the last two figures of 649 AD, the year he forced the Tang Dynasty to quit Korea after destroying nearly 300,000 of their troops at Ansi Sung.

5th Dan

Ul-Ji is named after General Ul-Ji Moon Dok who successfully defended Korea against a massive Tang Chinese invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 AD. Ul-Ji employing hit and run guerrilla tactics, was able to decimate nearly 300,000 of the opposing force. The diagram represents his surname. The 42 movements refer to the author's age when he designed the pattern.

5th Dan

Moon-Moo honors the 30th King of the Silla Dynasty. His body was buried near Dae Wang Am (Great King's Rock). According to his will, the body was placed in the sea "where my soul shall forever defend my land against the Japanese." It is said that the Sok Gul Am (Stone Cave) was built to guard his tomb; it is a fine example of the culture of the Silla Dynasty. The 61 movements in this pattern symbolize the last two figures of 661 AD when Moon Moo came to the throne.

6th Dan

So-San is the pseudonym of the noted monk Choi Hyong Ung (1520–1604) during the Yi Dynasty. The 72 movements refer to his age when he organized a corps of monk soldiers with the assistance of his pupil Sa Myung Dang. The monk soldiers helped repulse the Japanese pirates who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592.

6th Dan

Se-Jong is named after the greatest Korean King, Se-Jong, who invented the Korean alphabet in 1443 and was also a noted meteorologist. The diagram represents the King, and the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.

7th Dan

Tong-Il denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram symbolizes the homogeneous race.