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Tenets of Taekwon Do

Courtesy                       Ye Ui

Integrity                       Yom Chi

Perseverance              In Nae

Self Control                  Guk Gi

Indomitable Spirit        Baekjul Boolgool

The reason for 24 Patterns

The life of a human being, Perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared to eternity.  Therefore we mortals are no more than simple travellers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day.


It is evident that no one can live for more than a limited amount of time.  Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for a thousand years.  Some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way gaining immortality. Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while the material is not.  Therefore, what we can do to leave something behind for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives.


Here I leave Taekwon Do for mankind as a trace of man of the late 20th Century.

The 24 patterns represent the 24 hours, One day, or all of my life


General Choi Hong Hi 9th Degree

Grandmaster

Interpretation of Patterns

Chon ji: 19 movements (Performed by 9th kup & above)

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


Dan gun: 21 movements (Performed by 8th kup & above)

Is named after the holy Dan Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.


Do San: 24 movements (Performed by 7th kup & above)

Is the pseudonym of the patriot An Chang Ho (1876-1938). The 24 movements represent his entire life. Which he devoted to the education of Korea and its independence movement.


Won hyo: 28 movements (Performed by 6th kup & above)

Won hyo was the noted monk that introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.


Yul gok: 38 movements (Performed by 5th kup & above)

Yul gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584 A.D.) nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38th latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.


Joong Gun: 32 movements (Performed by 4th kup & above)

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 a Lui-Shung prison (1910).


Toi Gye: 37 movements (Performed by 3rd kup & above)

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 37 latitude, the diagram represents “scholar".


Hwa Rang: 29 movements (Performed by 2nd kup & above)

Hwa rang is named after the Hwa Rang youth group which originated in the Silla dynasty in the early 7th century.  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.


Choong moo: 30 movements (Performed by 1st kup & above)

Choong moo was the given name to the great admiral Yi Sun Sin of the Lee Dynasty .He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (kobuksun), which was the precursor of the present day submarine, in 1592 A.D.  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 his king.

Interpretation Of Belt Colours

White Belt
Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon Do.
Yellow Belt
Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Taekwon Do is being laid.

Green Belt
Signifies the plant's growth as Taekwon Do skills begin to develop.

Blue Belt
Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon Do progresses.

Red Belt
Signifies Danger, cautioning the the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.

Black Belt
Opposite to white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon Do, also indicates the wearers imperviousness to darkness and fear.


Taekwon Do Oath

I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon do

I shall respect the instructor and seniors

    I shall never misuse Taekwon do

I shall be a champion of freedom and justice

I shall build a more peaceful world