University of LeicesterTaeKwon Do Club

PATTERNS (TUL)

REGARDING PATTERNS

There are twenty-four patterns in Tae Kwon Do, corresponding to the 24 hours in the day, a continuously repeated cycle that represents eternity. Each pattern except Chon-Ji and Tong-il is named after important people or events in Korean history, as a reminder of the importance of honouring and cultivating respect for those who have accomplished great things. For certain patterns, the shape of the diagram and the total number of movements representing the pattern are also significant.

A Tae Kwon Do pattern is a choreographed sequence of fundamental movements in an imaginary fight against one or more attackers. The execution of the movements requires the application of the Theory of Power. Correct breathing generates internal energy, which increases power.

The twenty-four patterns are introduced gradually as the student progresses with his training and are beneficial for Tae Kwon Do students of all ages and levels of training. The patterns must be performed precisely and smoothly; the overall effect should be one of harmonious, perfectly controlled movement.

By practicing the patterns diligently, students can improve their memory skills, ability to concentrate, muscular development, physical coordination, and sense of balance. Each student should strive to perform the patterns to the best of his or her ability. We practise patterns to improve our Tae Kwon Do techniques, to develop sparring techniques, to improve flexibility of movement, master body-shifting, develop muscles, balance and breath control. They also enable us to acquire techniques that cannot be obtained from other forms of training.

Patterns are usually performed at full speed, but it is often beneficial for senior students to practice patterns at half speed or even slower. Please note that, although slower, patterns performed in this fashion should be carried out with no less power than at full speed.

The beginner will no doubt be appalled to know that there are a total of 970 movements altogether in the patterns (964 if you substitute Ko-Dang for Juche, and 1,009 if you do them both). However, once you get stuck in you will no doubt find that the time flies by, and will reach the end of the final pattern without even noticing where the time has gone.

POINTS TO BE CONSIDERED WHEN PERFORMING PATTERNS

Patterns should begin and end on the same spot. This will indicate the student's accuracy.
Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
Muscles of the body should be tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
The exercise should be performed in a fluid, rhythmic movement with the absence of stiffness.
Each pattern should be accelerated or decelerated according to instructions.
Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next.
Students should know the name and purpose of each movement.
Students should perform each movement realistically.
Students should remain in the finishing move of the pattern until told otherwise by the instructor.

PATTERNS LINKS

For additional reading on patterns please consult the following:

Sonkal Praha Patterns - run-through of each pattern, photos of the techniques and a movie of the pattern being performed
Kup Pattern History / Dan Pattern History - more of the stories behind the names

PATTERNS OVERVIEW

Korean	Pattern	Moves	Grade	Listen	View
천지	Chon-Ji	19	9th Kup	Listen	View
단군	Dan-Gun	21	8th Kup	Listen	View
도산	Do-San	24	7th Kup	Listen	View
원효	Won-Hyo	28	6th Kup	Listen	View
율곡	Yul-Gok	38	5th Kup	Listen	View
중근	Joong-Gun	32	4th Kup	Listen	View
퇴계	Toi-Gye	37	3rd Kup	Listen	View
화랑	Hwa-Rang	29	2nd Kup	Listen	View
충무	Choong-Moo	30	1st Kup	Listen	View
광개	Kwang-Gae	39	1st Dan	Listen	View
포은	Po-Eun	36	1st Dan	Listen	View
계백	Ge-Baek	44	1st Dan	Listen	View
의암	Eui-Am	45	2nd Dan	Listen	View
충장	Choong-Jang	52	2nd Dan	Listen	View
주체 고당	Juche Ko-Dang	45 39	2nd Dan	Listen Listen	View View
삼일	Sam-Il	33	3rd Dan	Listen	View
유신	Yoo-Sin	68	3rd Dan	Listen	View
최영	Choi-Yong	46	3rd Dan	Listen	View
연개	Yong-Gae	49	4th Dan	Listen	View
을지	Ul-Ji	42	4th Dan	Listen	View
문무	Moon-Moo	61	4th Dan	Listen	View
서산	So-San	72	5th Dan	Listen	View
세종	Se-Jong	24	5th Dan	Listen	View
통일	Tong-Il	56	6th Dan	Listen	View

Fundamental Exercises

The fundamental exercises are one of the first exercises taught to beginners, and are not strictly patterns as such, rather they are a method of teaching and developing the basic skills to beginners in a formalised manner. While not being patterns, they are performed in much the same way as the patterns, and with the same effort and spirit.

There are a variable number of exercises, depending on the organisation. In ULTKD, we practise two variations of saju-jirugi; these are essentially the same sequence of movements but performed in opposite directions. The same applies for saju-makgi. There is also saju-tulgi, which can be taught to 2nd Kup students.

Saju indicates 'four' as in direction; jirugi means a punch. Saju-jirugi therefore means 'four-direction punch'. Similarly, saju-makgi means 'four-direction block', and saju-tugi 'four-direction thrust'.

	Saju-Jirugi (Listen) View: 1 2 3 4	Saju-Makgi (Listen) View: 1 2 3 4	Saju-Tulgi
	PDF	PDF	PDF

The Kup Patterns

Patterns are available in three formats: clicking on the pattern name will give you a run through of the moves, detailing stances & techniques and giving the names for each in Korean. Pleas note that the diagrams for these are presented as the way you would face to begin the pattern. This makes learning the pattern easier, but the diagram will technically be upside down. Clicking the PDF link will bring up the full entry from the Encyclopaedia Of Tae Kwon Do; these files are large, and contain step-by-step instructions on each move, including photos and applications. The Overview files are a quick reference guide to use as a reminder of how the pattern goes. The Diagrams are presented from the point of view of an observer, with the red X indicating the start point facing the observer.

GRADE	PATTERN	MOVES	MEANING
Yellow Tag	Chon-Ji PDF Overview	19	CHON-JI 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, 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.
Yellow Belt	Dan-Gun PDF Overview	21	DAN-GUN is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2,333 B.C.
Green Tag	Do-San PDF Overview	24	DO-SAN is 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.
Green Belt	Won-Hyo PDF Overview	28	WON-HYO was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year of 686 A.D.
Blue Tag	Yul-Gok PDF Overview	38	YUL-GOK is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi l (1536-1584) nicknamed the 'Confucius of Korea'. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38th latitude and the diagram represents 'scholar'.
Blue Belt	Joong-Gun PDF Overview	32	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 in Lui-Shung prison (1910).
Red Tag	Toi-Gye PDF Overview	37	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 latitude, and the diagram represents ' scholar'.
Red Belt	Hwa-Rang PDF Overview	29	HWA-RANG is 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.
Black Tag	Choong-Moo PDF Overview	30	CHOONG-MOO was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Lee 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. The reason why this pattern ends with a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

Dan Patterns

DEGREE	PATTERN	MOVES	MEANING
I	Kwang-Gae PDF	39	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 A. D., the year he came to the throne.
	Po-Eun PDF	36	PO-EUN is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400) 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.
	Ge-Baek PDF	44	GE-BAEK is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.
II	Eui-Am PDF	45	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 PDF	52	CHOONG-JANG is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Lee Dynasty, 14th century. This pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolize the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity.
	Juche PDF	45	JUCHE is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, the idea that man is the master of the world and his own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain which symbolizes the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram represents Baekdu mountain.
	Ko-Dang	39	KO-DANG is the pen-name of the patriot Cho Man Sik, who dedicated his life to the Korean Independence Movement and the education of his people. The 39 movements signify his terms of imprisonment and birthplace on the 39th parallel.
III	Sam-Il PDF	33	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 PDF	68	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 A.D., 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 PDF	46	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.
IV	Yong-Gae PDF	49	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 A.D., the year he forced the Tang Dynasty to quit Korea after destroying nearly 300,000 of their troops at Ansi Sung.
	Ul-Ji PDF	42	UL-JI is named after general Ul-Ji Moon Dok who successfully defended Korea against a Tang invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 A.D. 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.
	Moon-Moo PDF	61	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.
V	So-San PDF	72	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 Myunh Dang. The monk soldiers helped repulse the Japanese pirates who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592.
V	Se-Jong PDF	24	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 digram represents the king, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.
VI	Tong-Il PDF	56	TONG-IL denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram symbolizes the homogenous race.

Ko-Dang vs Juche

The observant student will have noticed that, despite there being 24 patterns, there are actually 25 listed in the tables herein. The reason for this is the small yet controversial matter of Ko-Dang vs Juche.

Juche was introduced in 1983, as a replacement for Ko-Dang. General Choi developed the pattern to reflect some of the new techniques that had been perfected in more recent years; while it contains many of the same movements as Ko-Dang it also includes the slow motion kicks, two direction kick, dodging kicks and flying hand attacks. It is also said to challenge the 2nd degree more, as Kodang was considered to be comparatively easy.

In an interview conducted during a visit to Britain in November 1999, General Choi stated: "As new techniques were developed they needed to be represented in the patterns. The pattern Kodang was replaced simply because it represented the latest Korean history, basically last in first out."[1]

General Choi's final years were marked by his efforts to end the seperation between North and South Korea. He introduced Taekwondo to North Korea in 1980, and in 1983 he won further favour with the North Korean leader, Kim Il-sung, by changing one pattern from Ko-Dang (named after Cho Man-sik, a North Korean democratic Christian moderate) to Juche (after the isolationist policy of "self-reliance" invented and advocated by Kim Il-sung [2]). Though Choi's intention had presumably been reconciliatory, due to the political climate at the time (which, incidentally, was a fairly repressive military dictatorship) it went down rather badly in South Korea.

There is still considerable discussion revolving around the use of these two patterns. While Juche is the official pattern given in the ITF syllabus, some clubs (generally the more traditional) teach Ko-Dang instead, while others teach both. The situation is further complicated when organisations require Juche, but allow students to perform Ko-Dang under certain conditions related to age or physical disability; and became downright farcical at the 2004 World Championships in South Korea when competitors performed Juche but called it Ko-Dang so as not to offend the hosts! Following from this, on 24th June 2008 [3] GM Choi's ITF-C branch announced that they were officially renaming the pattern from Juche to Ko-Dang (and, incidentally, spelling them both wrong in the process), thus causing yet more confusion. It is not known at this time whether the other two branches will follow, but it seems unlikely.

References:
[1] - Interview with General Choi
[2] - Juche on Wikipedia
[3] - Tul Update

Reccommended Reading:
Biography of Cho Man-sik
USTF Newsletter, 17/09/2005 (pdf)
Black Belt Thesis by Mr. Dalton VI, IUTF

Do-San's Birthday

A final oddity. As everyone at green tag and above knows, Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho, who lived between 1876 and 1938, and who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement. Unfortunately, there are many sources that contradict this, and instead give his date of birth as November 9th 1878! So which is it? Are Taekwondo students rigorously learning the wrong date, perhaps due to a typo creeping in early on, or is there some sort of conspiracy in action to conceal the truth from us? Enquiring minds need to know. I have written to the authorities about this, and will share the replies as soon as I get them. Watch this space!
Examples:
[1] - Wikipaedia entry
[2] - Biography at Global Korean Network