THE PATTERNS OF TAE KWON-DO
Colour Belt Patterns
Chon-Ji Tul (19 movements) Yellow Tag
Literally means heaven and earth. It is in the orient interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history, therefore 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.
Dan-Gun Tul (21 Movements) Yellow Belt
Dan Gun is named after the Holy Dan Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.
Do-San Tul (24 Movements) Green Tag
Do-San is a pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876 - 1938). The 24 movements represent his life, which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and the Korean Independence Movement.
Won-Hyo Tul (28 Movements) Green Belt
Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD.
Yul-Gok Tul (38 Movements) Blue Tag
Yul-Gok is a pseudonym of a 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 degree latitude and the diagram of the pattern represents scholar.
Joong-Gun Tul (32 Movements) 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. There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr Ahn's age when he was executed at Lui-Shung in 1910.
Toi-Gye Tul (37 Movements) Red Tag
Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century) an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th degree latitude and the diagram represent "scholar".
Hwa-Rang Tul (29 Movements) Red Belt
Hwa Rang means "Flowering Youth" and is named after the Hwa Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty around 600AD. This group eventually became the actual 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 (The leader of the 29th infantry was General Choi).
Choong-Moo Tul (30 Movements) Black Tag
Choong-Moo 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, 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. He was noted for his unrestrained loyalty to the King.
Black Belt Patterns
Kwang-Gae Tul (39 Movements) 1st 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.
Po-Eun Tul (36 Movements) 1st DAN
Po-Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong-Mong-Chu 1400AD who was a famous poet and who's 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 represent his unerring loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
Ge-Baek Tul (44 Movements) 1st DAN
Ge-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek-Je Dynasty (660AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.
Ko-Dang Tul (39 Movements) 2nd DAN
Ko Dang is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man-Sik, who devoted his life to the Korean Independence Movement & to the education of the Korean people. The 39 movements signify his times of imprisonment & his birthplace on the 39° latitude.
Eui-Am Tul (45 Movements) 2nd 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 (Oriental Culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The diagram represents his indomitable spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.
Choong-Jang Tul (52 Movements) 2nd DAN
Choong-Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 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 Tul (33 Movements) 3rd 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.
Yoo-Sin Tul (68 Movements) 3rd DAN
Yoo Sin is named after General Kin 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 unified. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn to the right rather than the left side, symbolizing Yoo sin's mistake of following his king's orders to fight with foreign force against his own nation.
Choi Yong Tul (46 Movements) 3rd 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 subordinate commanders headed by General Yi Sung Gae, who later became the first king of the Yi Dynasty.
Se Jong Tul (24 Movements) 4th DAN
Se-Jong is named after the greatest Korean King, Se-Jong, who invented the Korean alphabets in 1443, and was also a noted meteorologist. The diagram represents the king, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.
Ul-Ji Tul (42 Movements) 4th DAN
UL-JI is named after general UL-JI Mun Duk who successfully defended Korea against a Chinese invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 AD, Ul-JI employing hit and run guerilla tactics was able to decimate a large percentage of the force. The diagram represents his surname. The 42 movements represent the author's age when he designed the pattern.
Tong Il Tul (56 Movements) 4th DAN
Tong Il denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram symbolises the homogenous race.
Moon-Moo Tul (61 Movements) 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. The Sok Gul Am is a fine example of the culture of the Silla Dynasty. The 61 movements in this pattern symbolize the last two figures of 6612 AD when Moon Moo came to the throne.
Yon Gae Tul (49 Movements) 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 Chinese troops at Ansi Sung.
So-San Tul (72 Movements) 5th DAN
So San is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyong Ung (1520 - 1604) during the Yi Dynasty. The 72 movements refer to his age when he organised a corps of monk soldiers with the assistance of his pupil Samung Dang. The monk soldiers helped repulse the Japanese pirates who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592.