Patterns | Hyung
In Taekwon-Do, patterns are sets of movements meant to practice applying techniques in a combat scenario against multiple attackers. Unlike other practices like free sparring and self defense, patterns can be completed by oneself, inside and outside of the dojang.
Chon-Ji
19 movements
Chon-Ji means “the Heaven and the Earth.” It is interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history; therefore it is the initial pattern learned by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar halves—the first representing Heaven and the other representing the Earth.
Dan-Gun
21 movements
The legendary Dan-Gun was said to have founded the first kingdom of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.E.
Do-San
24 movements
Do-San was the pseudonym of the activist and educator Ahn Ch’ang Ho (1876-1938), who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and liberating the country from Japanese occupation via the Korean Independence Movement.
Won-Hyo
28 movements
Won-Hyo was a Buddhist monk (617-686 A.D), whose teachings served to popularize Buddhism in the Silla dynasty.
Yul-Gok
38 movements
Yul-Gok was the pen name of the philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea.” The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38º latitude and the diagram (±) represents “scholar.”
Joong-Gun
32 movements
The patriot An Joong-Gun assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part of the Korea-Japan merger. The 32 movements in this pattern represent An’s age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison (1910).
Toi-Gye
37 movements
Toi-Gye was the pen name of the philosopher scholar Yi Hwang (1501–1570), an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 37º latitude and the diagram (±) represents “scholar.”
Hwa-Rang
29 movements
The Hwa-Rang were a group of young warriors of the Silla dynasty, which eventually became the driving force for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.
Choong-Moo
30 movements
Choong-Moo was the name given to Admiral Yi Sun Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the kobukson (turtle ship), an armored warship that was a precursor to modern day submarines. This pattern ends up with the left hand attack to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.