Interpretations of patterns. The name of the pattern, the number of movements, and the diagrammatic symbol of each pattern symbolises heroic figures in Korean history or instances relating to historical events. Interpretations of patterns are learnt so that you can draw some inspiration and guidance from the examples given of the tenets of Tae Kwon-Do.

Below are listed all 24 patterns of Tae Kwon Do, please click on the name of the pattern to find out more about the person the pattern is named after (links to Wikipedia)

Coloured Belt Patterns

 
Chon Ji: Literally means heaven and earth, it is in the orient interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of the human history, it is therefore 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: Is named after the holy Dan Gun legendary founder of Korea in the 2333BC.

Do San: Is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876 – 1938) who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and its independent movement.

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

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 38 degree latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.

Joong Gun: Is named after the patriot An 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. An’s age when he was executed in Lui Shung prison in 1910.

Toi Gye: Is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century AD) an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 37 degree latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.

Hwa Rang: Is named after the Hwa Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty about 1,350 years ago. This group eventually became the driving force behind the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements of this pattern refer to the 29th Infantry Division where Tae Kwon-Do developed into maturity.

Choong Moo: Was the given name of the great Admiral Yi Sun Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) which was a precursor of the modern day submarine, in 1592 AD. The reason why this patter ends with a left hand attack is to symbolise his regrettable death having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

Black Belt Patterns

 

Kwang Gae: Is picked after the famous Kwang-Gae T-o-Wang, the 19th ruler 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 for 39 years.

Po Eun: Is the pseudonym of the loyal subject Chong Mong Choo (1400 AD) who was a famous poet and whose poem “I would not serve a second master though I may 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: Is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.

Eui Am: Is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1st 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 represents his indomitable spirit displayed whilst dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.

Choong Jang: Is the pseudonym of given to General Kim Duk Ryan who lived during the Lee dynasty (15th century). This pattern ends with a left hand attack to symbolise the tragedy of his death in prison before he was able to reach full maturity.

Ko Dang: Is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man Sik who dedicated his life to the independence movement and the education of his people. The 39 movements signify his times of imprisonment and also his birth place on the 39th parallel.

Sam IL: Denotes the historical date of the independence 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 movement.

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 668AD the year Korea was united.

Choi Yong: Is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces during the fourteenth century Koryo Dynasty. Choi Yong was greatly respected for his loyal, 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.

Yon Gae: Is named after the famous general during the koguryo Dynasty, Yong Gae Somun. The 49 movements refer to the last two figures of 649AD, the year he forced the Dang Dynasty to quit Korea after destroying nearly 300,000 troops at Ansi Sung.

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 162AD. Ul-Ji employing hit and run guerrilla tactics, was able to decimate a large percentage of the force. The diagram represents his surname. The 42 movements represents the author’s age when he designed the pattern.

Moon Moo: Honours the thirteenth king of the Silla Dynasty. His body was buried near Dae Wang Am (Great Kings Rock). According to his will, the body was placed in the sea “Where my soul shall forever defend may land against the Japanese”. It is said that 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 symbolise the last two figures of 661 A.D. When Moon moo came to the throne.

So San: Is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hung Ung, 1520-1604, during the Yi Dynasty. The 72 movements refer to his age when he organised a corps of monk soldiers with assistance of his pupil Samung Dang. The monk soldiers helped repulse the Japanese pirates who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592.

Se Jong: Is named after the greatest Korean king, Se-Jong, invented the Korean alphabet in 1443 A.D. and was also a noted meteorologist. The diagram represents the king, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.

Tong IL: Denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which was divided since 1945. The diagram symbolises the homogenous race.

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