Patterns

 

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HyeongPatterns, or teul (틀) in Korean, originally called hyeong (형), form an important aspect of training in Taekwon-Do. They are equivalent to the kata in karate. The majority of the patterns (except Yul-Gok, Ul-Ji and Tong-Il) start with a defensive move, which emphasizes taekwon-do's defensive nature. All of the patterns start and end at the same location. This ensures that the practitioners' stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction.There are 24 patterns in the official ITF syllabus; this is symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. One additional pattern, Ko-Dang (or Go-Dang), was retired/replaced by Juche in 1986 by General Choi Hong Hi. Ko-Dang and Juche are similar, and some Taekwon-do organizations have renamed Juche to Ko-Dang though most perform the newer pattern. The names of these patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns may also be historical references, such as the number of moves, the diagram, the way the pattern ends, and so on. Patterns (teul) are performed in accordance with "The Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do" in 15 volumes written by General Choi Hong Hi, the latest edition being from 1999 (later editions have been published, but the 1999 editions were the last General Choi Hong Hi was directly involved with). This comprehensive work contains 15 volumes with volumes 8 through 15 dedicated to the 24 patterns and containing descriptions of the pattern movements as well as pictures showing possible applications of some of the movements. There is also the book entitled "The Korean Art of Self Defense" (the 1999 edition, the latest used by ITF under Grandmaster Tran Trieu Quan and ITF under Grandmaster Choi, or the 2004 edition, the latest used by ITF under Chang Ung), also known as the Condensed Encyclopedia, written by General Choi Hong Hi. This is a single condensed encyclopedia of approximately 770 pages with a section dedicated to the 24 patterns.There are also three fundamental exercises, named Saju-Jirugi (Four Direction Punch), Saju-Makgi (Four Direction Block) and Saju Tulgi (Four Direction Thrust). Saju-Jirugi and Saju-Makgi are basic defense exercises taught to beginners of the martial art. Saju Tulgi is less well known and is generally taught to 2nd Kup students just prior to Hwa-Rang. Saju Tulgi is not presented in the Condensed Encyclopedia but is present in the 15 Volume Encyclopedias (see: Volume 10, page 122).

 

The 24 Patterns in Taekwon-Do ITF are:

1 Chon-Ji (19 Movements) 10th kup

2 Dan-Gun (21 Movements) 9th kup

3 Do-San (24 Movements) 8th kup

4 Won-Hyo (28 Movements) 7th kup

5 Yul-Gok (38 Movements) 6th kup

6 Joong-Gun (32 Movements) 5th kup

7 Toi-Gye (37 Movements) 4th kup

8 Hwa-Rang (29 Movements) 3rd kup

9 Choong-Moo (30 Movements) 2nd kup

10 Kwang Gae (39 Movements) 1st kup

11 Po-Eun (36 Movements) 1st dan

12 Ge-Baek (44 Movements) 1st dan

13 Eui-Am (45 Movements) 2nd dan

14 Choong-Jang (52 Movements) 2nd dan

15 Juche (45 Movements)/Ko-Dang (39 Movements) 2nd dan

16 Sam-Il (33 Movements) 3rd dan

17 Yoo-Sin (68 Movements) 3rd dan

18 Choi-Yong (46 Movements) 3rd dan

19 Yon-Gae (49 Movements) 4th dan

20 Ul-Ji (42 Movements) 4th dan

21 Moon-Moo (61 Movements) 4th dan

22 So-San (72 Movements) 5th dan

23 Se-Jong (24 Movements) 5th dan

24 Tong-Il (56 Movements) 6th dan

 

Ranks

The ITF ranking system consists of six solid color belts; white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.

Colored belt ranks are defined as follows (from lowest to highest rank):