Chon-Ji – (chon-gee) – 19 movements
Literally means, “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 consist of two similar parts; one to represent the Heavens and the other the Earth.
Dan-Gun – (dan-gun) – 21 movements
Named after the holy Dan-Gun legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 BC.
Do-San – (doe-san) – 24 movements
The pseudonym of the patriot An Chan Ho, who devoted his entire life to the furthering of the education of Korea and its independence movement.
Won-Hyo – (wan-yo) – 28 movements
The noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in 686 AD.
Yul-Gok – (yool-go) – 38 movements
The great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536 – 1584), nicknamed the “Confucius” of Korea. The 38 movements represent his birthplace on the 38º line of latitude and the diagram plus over minus represents “scholar”.
Joong-Gun – (june-gun) – 32 movements
The patriot an Jung Gun who assassinated Hiro Bumi Ito, the first Japanese Governor-General of Korea, know as the man who played the leading part of the Korea-Japan merger. The 32 movements represent Mr. An’s age when he was executed in Lui-Shung Prison in 1910.
Toi-Gye – (tag-it) – 37 movements
The penname of the noted philosopher and scholar Yi Hwang (16th Cen., AD), an authority on neo-confucism. The 37 movements represent his birthplace on the 37º line of latitude, and the diagram plus over minus represents “scholar”.
Hwa-Rang – (fa-don) – 29 movements
Named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty about 1450 years ago. The group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements represent the 29th infantry division in which Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.
Choong-Moo – (chong-moo) – 30 movements
The given name to the great Admiral Yi-Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (kobukson) which was the precursor of the present day submarine, in 1592 AD. The reason why this pattern ends up with a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservations of his loyalty to the king.
Kwang-Gae – (kwan-gee) – 39 movements
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 – (poo-yen) – 36 movements
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 – (ge-baa) – 44 movements
Named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.
Eui-Am – (you-am) – 45 movements
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 his religion from Dong Hak (oriental learning) to Chondogyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The diagram represents his indomitable spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.
Chung-Jang – 52 movements
Chung-Jang (or Choong-Jang) is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi 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 – 45 movements
The Juche hyeong has 45 movements. Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, the idea that man is that master of the world and his own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, which symbolize the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram represents Baekdu Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Korea.
Sam-Il – 33 movements
Sam-Il name refers to the historic March 1st Movement, the biggest nation-wide Korean independence movement against the imperial Japan in 1919. The 33 movements in the pattern represent for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.
Yu-Sin – 68 movements
Yu-Sin (or Yoo-Sin) is named after General Kim Yu-Sin, a commanding general during the Silla Dynasty who played an important role in the merger of Goguryeo and Baekje by Silla. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 AD the year the three kingdoms were unified. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn to the right rather than the left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin’s mistake of following his king’s orders to fight with foreign forces (Tang Dynasty of China) against his own people (Goguryeo and Baik-je).
Choe-Yeong – 45 movements
Choe-Yeong (or Choi-Yong) is named after General Choe Yong, Premier and Commander-in Chief of the armed forces during the 14th century Goryeo Dynasty. Choi Yong was greatly respected for his loyalty, patriotism, and humility. He was executed by subordinate commanders headed by General Yi Seonggye, who later became the first king of the Joseon Dynasty.
Yeon-Gae – 49 movements
Yeon-Gae (or Yon-Gae) is named after the famous general Yon Gae Somoon during the Goguryeo Dynasty. He defended Goguryeo from the aggression of the Tang Dynasty by destroying nearly 300,000 of their troops at Ansi Sung. (This pattern normally resides between Choi Yong and Se-Jong)
Eul-Ji – 42 movements
Eul-Ji (or Ul-Ji) is named after general Eulji Mundeok who successfully defended Goguryeo against a Sui invasion force of over one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612AD. By employing hit and run guerilla tactics, he was able to destroy the majority of the force. The diagram of the hyeong represents his surname. The 42 movements represent the author’s age when he designed the pattern.
Mun-Mu – 61 movements
Mun-Mu (or Moon-Moo) honors King Munmu, the 30th king of the Silla Dynasty, who completed the unification of the three kingdoms (Goguryeo, Baik-je, Silla). 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”. The 61 movements in this pattern symbolize the last two figures of 661 AD when Munmu came to the throne. (This pattern normally resides between Choi Yong and Sea-Jong)
Seo-San – 72 movements
Seo-San (or So-San) is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyon Ung during the Joseon 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 who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592 during the Imjin War. (This pattern normally resides between Choi Yong and Sea-Jong) Seo-San is the longest of all Taekwon-do patterns.
Se-Jong – 24 movements
This pattern is named after Se-Jong who was the 4th King of the Yi Dynasty. He was known for his many great achievements in domestic and foreign affairs, diplomacy, scientific advancements, defense matters and culture. His most remarkable achievement was his invention of “Hangeul”, the Korean Alphabet. The 24 movements of this pattern represent the 24 letters of the “Hangeul”.
Tong-Il – 56 movements
Tong-Il means “unification” which is the ultimate goal of all Koreans. Korea used to be one country, but was divided into North and South Korea in 1945 by the ideological conflict between the USSR and the USA after World War II. Yon Mu Sun, the diagram of this pattern symbolizes the North and South becoming one.
