Interpretations of Patterns

Chon-Ji (19) means literally “the Heaven and 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.

Dan-Gun (21) is named after the holy Dan-Gun, legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.

Do-San (24) is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1878-1938) The 24 movements represent is entire life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.

Won-Hyo (28) was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.

Yul-Gok (38) is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the Confucius of Korea.  The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38 latitude and the diagram +  represents scholar.

Joong-Gun (32) 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 at the Lui-Shung prison in 1910.

Toi-Gye (37) is the penname of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16 century), an authority on Neo-Confucianism.  The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37 latitude and the diagram + represents scholar.

Hwa-Rang (29) is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7^th century.  (This group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea, the Silla, Paekche and Koguryo.) The 29 movements refer to the 29^th Infantry Division where Tae Kwon Do developed into maturity.

Choong-Mu (30) was the given name to the great Admiral  Yi Soon Sin of the Yi Dynasty.  He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine. The reason 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.

Gwang-Gae (39) is named after the famous Gwang-Gae-T’o-Wang, the 19^th 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 (36) is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400) who was a famous poet and who's 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 (44) is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 A.D.). The diagram (l) represents his severe and strict military discipline.

Eui-Am (45) is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, the leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements relate to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Oriental Culture) to Chondo Kye (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1950. The diagram (l) represents this indomitable spirit displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.

Choong-Jang (52) is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, fifteenth 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 (45) 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/her 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.

Sam-Il (33) denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korean 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 (68) 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 the left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin’s mistake of following his king’s orders to fight with foreign forces against his own nation.

Choi-Yong (46) is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed forces during the 14^th 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 Yi Dynasty.

Yon- Gae (49) is named after a famous general during the Kogueryo 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 (42) 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 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 General Choi Hong Hi's age when he designed the pattern.

Moon-Moo (61) honors 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 (72) is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyong Ung (1520-1604) during the Yi 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 (24) is named after the greatest Korean king, Se-Jong, who invented the Korean alphabet in 1443, and was also a noted meteorologist having invented (1442 A.D.) the first rain gauge in human history. The diagram represents the king, while the 24 movements represent the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.

Tong-Il (56) denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram symbolizes the homogenous race

 

 

Chon-Ji (천지/天地)






Dan-Gun (단군/檀君)


Do-San (도산/島山)





Won-Hyo (원효/元曉)


Yul-Gok (율곡/栗谷)





Joong-Gun (중근/重根)







Toi-Gye (퇴계/退溪)




Hwa-Rang (화랑/花郎)







Choong-Mu (충무/忠武)









Gwang-Gae (광개/廣開)








Po-Eun (포은/圃隱)







Ge-Baek (계백/階伯)




Eui-Am (의암/義菴)








Choong-Jang (충장/忠壯)





Juche (주체/主體)







Sam-Il (삼일/三一)





Yoo-Sin (유신/庾信)








Choi-Yong (최영/崔榮)







Yon-Gae (연개/淵蓋)





Ul-Ji (을지/乙支)








Moon-Moo (문무/文武)











So-San (서산/西山)






Se-Jong (세종/世宗)







Tong-Il (통일/統一)