Patterns

Four-directional punch. No meaning.

Four-directional block. No meaning.

Means literally “the heaven and the earth”. It is, in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history, and is therefore the initial pattern played by the beginner. It consists of two similar parts: one to represent heaven and the other earth.

Named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2,333 BC.

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.

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

The pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536–1584), nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”. The 38 movements refer to his birthplace on the 38th latitude, and the diagram represents “scholar”.

Named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun, who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea. The 32 movements represent Mr. Ahn’s age when he was executed in Lui-Shung prison (1910).

The pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century), an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements refer to his birthplace on the 37th latitude; the diagram represents “scholar”.

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.

The name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Lee Dynasty, reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592. The pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolise his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potential, checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

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.

The pseudonym of the loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400), a famous poet 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 loyalty to king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.

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

The pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on 1 March 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.

The pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang, who lived during the Lee Dynasty in the 14th century. The 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.

A philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything; in other words, that man is the master of the world and his own destiny. It is said this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, which symbolises the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram represents Baekdu Mountain.

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 movement.

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. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn on the right rather than left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin's mistake of following his Kings' orders to fight with foreign forces against his own nation.

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 Lee Dynasty.

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.

Ul-Ji is named after general Ul-Ji Moon Dok who successfully defended Korea against a Tang's 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 a large percentage of the force. The diagram represents his surname. The 42 movements represent the author's age when he designed the pattern.

Moon-Moo honours 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 661 A.D. when Moon Moo came to the throne.

So-San is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyong Ung (1520-1604) during the Lee 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.

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, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.

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