Irish United Tae Kwon Do Federation
Interpretation of Patterns
There are twenty-four patterns in Tae Kwon Do. Each is named after a significant figure or group in Korean history.
The nine coloured-belt patterns and some of the black-belt patterns are listed below
CHON-JI
19 Movements
Literally translated means "Heaven and Earth". In
the orient it is interpreted as the creation of the world, or the
beginning of human history. Therefore, it is the initial pattern
practised by the beginner. It consists of two similar parts, one
representing Heaven and the other Earth.
DAN-GUN
21 Movements
Is named after the Holy Dan Gun, the legendary founder of Korea
in the year 2333 BC.
DO-SAN
24 Movements
Is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahan Ch'ang Ho. (1876-1938). The
24 movements represent his entire life, which he devoted to
furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.
WON-HYO
28 Movements
Was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty
in the year 686 A.D.
YUL GOK
38 Movements
Is the pseudonym of the philosopher and scholar Yi I. (1536-1584
AD) nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea". The 38
movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38 degrees
latitude and the diagram ( ± ) represents "Scholar".
JOONG-GUN
32 Movements
Is named after the patriot Ahn Joong Gun who assassinated Hiro
Bumi Ito, the first Governor-General of Korea, known as the
person who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger.
There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr. Ahn's age
when he was executed at Lui Shung prison in 1910.
TOI GYE
37 Movements
Is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th. century AD),
an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The movements of the pattern
refer to his birthplace on 37 degrees latitude, the diagram ( ±
) represents "Scholar".
HWA-RANG
29 Movements
Is named after the Hwa Rang youth group which originated in the
Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. This group eventually
became the driving force for the unification of the three
Kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements refer to the 29th infantry
division, where Tae Kwon Do developed into maturity.
CHOONG-MOO
30 Movements
Was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon Sin of the Yi
Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured
battleship (Kobukson) in 1592 AD, which is said to be the
precursor of the present day submarine. The reason why this
pattern ends with a left hand attack is to symbolise his
regrettable and untimely death, which occurred before he had a
chance to display the full extent of his loyalty to the king.
GWANG-GAE
39 Movements
Gwang-Gae is picked after the famous Gwang-Gae-T'o 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 his reign, which lasted 39 years.
PO-EUN
36 Movements
Po-Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400 A.D.)
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.
GAE-BAEK
44 Movements
Gae-Baek was a General in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 A.D.). The
Diagram (I) represents his severe and strict military discipline.
EUI-AM
45 Movements
Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean
Independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements relate
to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Oriental Culture)
to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The diagram (I)
represents his indomitable spirit displayed while dedicating
himself to the prosperity of his nation.
CHOONG-JANG
52 Movements
Choong Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who
lived during the Yi Dynasty in the 15th century. This pattern
ends with a left hand attack to symbolise the tragedy of his
death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity.
SAM-Il
33 Movements
Sam-Il denotes the historical date of the Independence Movement
of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1st, 1919.
The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 Patriots who
planned the Independence Movement.
YOO-SIN
68 Movements
Yoo-Sin is named after General Kim Yoo Sin, Commanding General
during the Silla Dynasty, who unified the three separate Kingdoms
of Korea. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 A.D.,
the year Korea was united.
CHOI-YOUNG
46 Movements
Choi-Young is named after General Chio Yong, Premier and
Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces during the 14th century
Koryo Dynasty. Choi Young 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.