Taekwondo Black Belt Patterns 

Patterns are various fundamental movements, most of which represent either attack or defence techniques, set to a fixed logical sequence. In patterns the student systematically deals with several imaginary opponents under various assumptions using every available attacking and blocking tool from different directions. Thus pattern practice enables the student to go through many fundamental movements in series to develop sparring techniques, improve flexibility of movements, master body shifting and gain rhythmical movements. In short patterns can be compared with a unit tactic or a word if fundamental movement is an individual soldier's training or alphabet. Accordingly pattern the ledger of every movement, is a series of sparring, power tests, feats and characteristic beauty. Though sparring may merely indicate that an opponent is more or less advances, patterns are a more critical barometer in evaluating an individual's technique. 

 

Gwang Gae Tul consists of 39 movements. 

Gwang Gae is named after the famous Gwang-Gae-To 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 and the 39 movements refer to his 39 year reign. 

 

Po-Eun Tul consists of 36 movements. 

Po-Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400AD) 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 King and Country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty. 

 

Gae-Baek Tul consists of 44 movements. 

 

Gae-Baek was a great General in the Baek Je Dynasty (660AD). The diagram (|) represents his severe and strict military discipline. 

 

Eui-Am Tul Eui-Am Tul consists of 45 movements. 

 

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 while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation. 

 

Choong Jang Tul consists of 52 movements. 

 

Choong Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty in the 15th century. The pattern ends with a left hand attach to symbolise the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity. 

 

Ko-Dang Tul consists of 39 movements. 

 

Ko-Dang is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man Silk who dedicated his life to the Independence Movement and the education of his people. The 39 movements refer to his times of imprisonment and his birthplace on the 39th parallel. 

 

Sam-Il Tul consist of 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 consists of 68 movements. 

 

Yoo-Sin is names after General Kim Yoo-Sin, Commanding General during the Silla Dynasty, who united the three separate Kingdoms of Korea. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668AD, the year Korea was united. 

 

Choi-Yong Tul consists of 46 movements. 

 

Choi-Yong is named after the General Choi 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. 

 

Yon-Gae Tul consists of 49 movements. 

 

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

 

Ul-Ji Tul consists of 42 movements. 

 

Ul-Ji is names after General Ui-I Moon Dok, who successfully defended Korea against a Tang invasion force of nearly one million soldiers, led by Yang Je in 612AD. Ul-Ji, employing hit and run guerrilla tactics, was able to decimate a large percentage of the force. The diagram (Z) represents his surname. The 42 movements represent the author's age when he designed the pattern. 

 

Moon-Mo Tul consists of 61 movements. 

 

Moon-Mo 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 symbolise the last figure of 661AD when Moon Mo came to the throne. 

 

So-San Tul consists of 72 movements. 

 

So-San is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyong Ling (1520-1604) during the Yi Dynasty. The 72 movements refer to his age when he organised a corp 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 Tul consists of 24 movements. 

 

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 letters of the alphabet. 

 

Tong-Il Tul consists of 56 movements. 

 

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