Forms, also called patterns, (hyung or poomses in Korean) are a series of attacks and blocks against imaginary oppo- nents. They illustrate how various techniques would be applied. Practicing the patterns helps develop coordina- tion, balance, timing, proper breathing and proper form, all essential elements of effective TKD. Repetition helps the movements become part of “muscle memory” so that in a real life situation the body can react intuitively.
Chongi – Literally means “Heaven and Earth” and in the orient is interpreted as the beginning of human history or the creation of the world, thus it is the first of the patterns. It is composed of two parts to represent heaven and earth. Beginning students receive their white belt when they can perform this pattern alone in class, and their yellow belt when this pattern is performed during the test. It consists of 19 movements including punching, low and middle blocks, and front and back stances.
Tan Gun – Named for the founder of Korea, this pattern is learned by yellow belts in order to test for the orange belt. It consists of 21 movements and introduces the double chop and double block.
Do San - Alias of Ahn Ch’ang Ho, one of the leaders of the Korean independence movement. Literally, Dosan means “Island Mountain”. Do San includes 24 movements and is taught to orange belts progressing to green belt. It in- cludes the pierce and the back-fist, and introduces the horseback stance. This is the first pattern with kicks.
Won Ho- Named after the Monk who brought Buddhism to Silla Korea in the year 686 AD. 28 movements. It is the rising purple belt pattern. Won Ho begins with a prepara- tion, and Introduces both the crane stance and circular blocks.
Yul Kok - Alias of the scholar and philosopher Yi I, nicknamed the “Confucian of Korea”. Purple belt form rising to blue belt, it contains 38 movements. Yul Kok combines slow and fast movements and uses slow purposeful breathing techniques. It introduces the elbow to head strike.
Tae Kuk Chil Chang - This pattern introduces the cat stance and the L stance and is the first pattern to incorpo- rate a jump. It consists of 29 movements and is the required pattern for advancement to the brown belt.
Toe Gye - This is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang. The pattern contains 37 movements including the mountain or “W” block. It introduces the groin attack and crescent kick and incorporates many changes in stance. Brown belts learn this pattern to progress to red.
Hwa Rang - Named after the Hwarang youth warriors from the ancient Silla Kingdom of Korea. It is learned as a red belt for advancement to red/black. There are 29 movements in this pattern including an overhand chop.
Chung Mu - The title (Chungmugong) which means “Loyal Martial Lord”, given to Yi Sun Sin (great naval admiral in the mid 1500’s) after his death. This pattern includes a 360 degree jump and is required of red/black belts testing for the bodan belt.
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