Pattern Interpretations 

Chon-Ji Tul - 9th Kup

Chon-Ji means literally the Heaven and the 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 learnt by a beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts; one representing the Heaven the other the Earth.

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Dan Gun Tul - 8th Kup

Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333BC.

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Do San Tul - 7th Kup 

Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938). The 24 movements represent his entire life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.

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Won-Hyo Tul - 6th Kup

Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD.

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Yul-Gok Tul  - 5th Kup

Yul-Gok 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 38th degree of latitude and the diagram represents scholar.

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Joong-Gun Tul - 4th Kup

Joong-Gun 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 Lui-Shung prison (1910).

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Toi-Gye Tul - 3rd Kup 

Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang, an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th degree latitude, the diagram represents scholar.

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Hwa-Rang Tul - 2nd Kup

Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.

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Choong-Moo Tul - 1st Kup

Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Lee dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine.
The reason why this pattern ends with a left-hand attack is to symbolise his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.

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Kwang-Gae Tul - 1st Dan

Kwang-Gae is 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 the lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne.

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Po-Eun Tul - 1st Dan

Po-Eun is 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.

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Ge-Baek Tul - 1st Dan

Ge-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.

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Eui-Am Tul - 2nd Dan

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 Dong Hak (Oriental Culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The diagram represents his indomitable spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.

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Choong-Jang Tul - 2nd Dan

Choong-Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Lee 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.

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Juche Tul - 2nd Dan

Juche is the philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and therefore decides and determines his destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted on the Baekdu Mountain that symbolises the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram represents the Baekdu Mountain. 

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Sam-Il Tul - 3rd Dan 

Sam-Il denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1, 1919. The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.

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Yoo-Sin Tul - 3rd Dan

Yoo-Sin 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 left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin's mistake of following his Kings' orders to fight with foreign forces against his own nation.

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Choi-Yong Tul - 3rd Dan 

Choi-Yong is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces during the 14th 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 Lee Dynasty.

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Yon-Gae Tul - 4th Dan

Yon-Gae is named after a famous general during the Koguryo 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.

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Ul-Gi Tul - 4th Dan

Ul-Ji 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 the author's age when he designed the pattern.

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Moon-Moo Tul - 4th Dan 

Moon-Moo honours 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.