Patterns
What are patterns
- Patterns are fundamental to the improvement of technique in TaeKwonDo. Each pattern teaches a student a new technique or level of complexity using an existing technique.
- A pattern is a combination of attack and defence movements in a fixed and logical sequence which could be used to defend against one or more imaginary opponents.
- Patterns are practised to improve TaeKwonDo techniques, to develop speed and power, improve flexibility, master body shifting, develop muscles, balance and breathe control.
- Each meaning gives the student a better understanding of the perseverance of the Koreans to gain independence from other countries who have occupied Korea over the centuries. An understanding of the continuous struggle to achieve this independence should give students of TaeKwonDo the incentive to persevere with the learning and perfecting of TaeKwonDo techniques.
General Choi’s reason for 24 Patterns
Coloured Belt Patterns
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CHON-JI TUL
Literally means the “Heaven 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 played by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts – one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth. (19 movements)
Ready Stance – Parallel Ready Stance
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. Left 90 Deg – Walking – Low Section Outer Forearm Block
2. Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
3. Right 180 Deg – Walking – Low Section Outer Forearm Block
4. Forward. – Walking – Middle Punch
5. Left 90 Deg – Walking – Low Section Outer Forearm Block
6. Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
7. Right 180 Deg – Walking – Low Section Outer Forearm Block
8. Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
9. Left 90 Deg – L – Middle Section Inner Forearm Block
10. Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
11. Right 180 Deg – L – Middle Section Inner Forearm Block
12. – Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
13. Left 90 Deg – L – Middle Section Inner Forearm Block
14. Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
15. Right 180 Deg – L – Middle Section Inner Forearm Block
16. Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
17. Forward – Walking – Middle Punch
18. Backward – Walking – Middle Punch
19. Backward – Walking – Middle Punch
End – move left foot to Parallel Ready Stance
DAN-GUN TUL
Dan-Gun is named after the Holy Dan – Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year of 2333 B.C. (21 movements)
Ready Stance – Parallel Ready Stance
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. Left 90 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
2. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
3. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
4. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
5. Left 90 Deg. – Walking. – Low Section Outer Forearm Block
6. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
7. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
8. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
9. Left 270 Deg. – L. – Twin Forearm Block
10. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
11. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Twin Forearm Block
12. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
13. Left 90 Deg. – Walking. – Low Section Outer Forearm Block
14. Walking. – Rising Block
15. Forward. – Walking. – Rising Block
16. Forward. – Walking. – Rising Block
17. Forward. – Walking. – Rising Block
18. Left 270 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Strike
19. Forward. – Walking. – High Punch
20. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Strike
21. Forward. – Walking – High Punch
End – move right foot to Parallel Ready Stance
DO-SAN TUL
Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Ch’ang-Ho (1876 – 1938) who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and its independent movement. (24 movements)
Ready Stance – Parallel Ready Stance
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. Left 90 Deg. – Walking. – High Outer Forearm Block
2. Walking. – Middle Punch
3. Right 180 Deg. – Walking. – High Outer Forearm Block
4. Walking. – Middle Punch
5. Left 90 Deg. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
6. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Straight Fingertip Thrust
7. Left 360 Deg. – Walking. – Release and High Back Fist Strike
8. Forward. – Walking. – High Back Fist Strike
9. Left 270 Deg. – Walking. – High Outer Forearm Punch
10. Walking. – Middle Punch
11. Right 180 Deg. – Walking. – High Outer Forearm Punch
12. Walking. – Middle Punch
13. Left 120 Deg. – Walking. – Middle Wedging Block
14. Forward. – Front Snap Kick
15. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Punch
16. Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
17. Right 60 Deg. – Walking. – Middle Wedging Block
18. Forward. – Front Snap Kick
19. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Punch
20. Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
21. Left 30 Deg. – Walking. – Rising Block
22. Forward. – Walking. – Rising Block
23. Left 270 Deg. – Sitting. – Middle Knife Hand Strike
24. Right 180 Deg. – Sitting. – Middle Knife Hand Strike
End – move right foot to Parallel Ready Stance
WON-HYO TUL
Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D. (28 movements)
Ready Stance – Close Ready Stance A
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. Left 90 Deg. – L. – Twin Forearm Block
2. L. – High Inward Knife Hand Strike
3. Slip Forward. – Fixed. – Middle Side Punch
4. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Twin Forearm Block
5. L. – High Inward Knife Hand Strike
6. Slip Forward. – Fixed. – Middle Side Punch
7. Left 90 Deg. – Bending Ready. – Forearm Guarding Block
8. Forward. – Middle Side Kick
9. Land in. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
10. Forward. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
11. Forward. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
12. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Straight Fingertip Thrust
13. Left 270 Deg. – L. – Twin Forearm Block
14. L. – High Inward Knife Hand Strike
15. Slip Forward. – Fixed. – Middle Side Punch
16. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Twin Forearm Block
17. L. – High Inward Knife Hand Strike
18. Slip Forward. – Fixed. – Middle Side Punch
19. Left 90. – Walking. – Circular Block
20. Forward. – Low Front Kick
21. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
22. Walking. – Circular Block
23. Low Front Kick.
24. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
25. Right up to. – Bending Ready. – Forearm Guarding Block
26. Middle Side Kick
27. Left 270 Deg. – L. – Middle Forearm Guarding Block
28. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Middle Forearm Guarding Block
End – move right foot to Ready Stance
YUL-GOK TUL
Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536 – 1584 A.D.) nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38 degrees latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.
Ready Stance – Parallel Ready Stance
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. To left. – Sitting. – Left Punch Measure
2. Sitting. – Middle Punch
3. Sitting. – Middle Punch
4. L to R. – Sitting. – Right Punch Measure
5. Sitting. – Middle Punch
6. Sitting. – Middle Punch
7. Right 45 Deg. – Walking. – High Inner Forearm block
8. Forward. – Walking. – Low Front Kick
9. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Punch
10. Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
11. Left 90 Deg. – Walking. – High Inner Forearm block
12. Forward. – Walking. – Low Front Kick
13. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Punch
14. Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
15. Right 45 Deg. – Walking. – High Hooking Block
16. Walking. – High Hooking Block
17. Waling. – Middle Punch
18. Forward. – Walking. – High Hooking Block
19. Walking. – High Hooking Block
20. Walking. – Middle Punch
21. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Punch
22. L to R. – Bending Ready
23. Forward. – Side Kick
24. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Front Elbow Thrust
25. Right 180 Deg. – Bending Ready
26. Side Kick
27. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Front Elbow Thrust
28. Left 90 Deg. – L. – Twin Knife Hand Block
29. Forward. – Walking. – Straight Fingertip Thrust
30. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Twin Knife Hand Block
31. Forward. – Walking. – Straight Fingertip Thrust
32. Left 90 Deg. – Walking. – High Outer Forearm Block
33. Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
34. Forward. – Walking. – High Outer Forearm Block
35. Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
36. Jump Forward. – X. – High Back Fist Strike
37. Left 270 Deg – Walking. – High Double Forearm Block
38. Left 180 Deg. – Walking. – High Double Forearm Block
End – move right foot to Ready Stance
JOONG-GUN TUL
Joong-Gun is named after the patriot An Joong-Gun who 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. There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr. An’s age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison (1910AD).
Ready Stance – Parallel Ready Stance
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. To left. – L. – Reverse Knife Hand Block
2. Low Front Snap Kick
3. Forward. – Rear Foot. – Middle Upward Palm Block
4. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Reverse Knife Hand Block
5. Low Front Snap Kick
6. Forward. – Rear Foot. – Middle Upward Palm Block
7. Left 90 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
8. – Slip Front Foot. – Walking. – Upper Elbow Thrust
9. Forward. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
10. Slip Front Foot. – Walking. – Upper Elbow Thrust
11. Forward. – Walking. – Upper Elbow Thrust
12. Forward. – Walking. – Twin Fist Upset Punch
13. Step Turn. – Walking. – X Fist Rising Block
14. Left 90 Deg. – L. – High Back Fist Strike
15. L. – Release From Grab
16. Slip Front Foot. – Walking. – High Reverse Punch
17. L to R move R. – L. – High Pack Fist Strike
18. L. – Release From Grab
19. Slip Front Foot. – Walking. – High Reverse Punch
20. R to L Forward. – Walking. – High Double Forearm Block
21. Pull in L Foot. – L. – Middle Punch
22. Forward. – Middle Side Kick
23. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Guarding Block
24. Pull in R Foot. – L. – Middle Punch
25. Forward. – Middle Side Kick
26. Land in. – L. – Middle Guarding Block
27. Slip L Foot. – Low. – Pressing Block
28. Forward. – L. – Middle Guarding Block
29. Slip R Foot. – Low. – Pressing Block
30. L to R turn 90 Deg. – Close. – Middle Circular Punch (Slow)
31. R Forward L. – Fixed. – U Shape Block
32. R to L move L. – Fixed. – U Shape Block
End – move left foot to Ready Stance
TOI-GYE TUL
Toi-Gye is the pen-name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th A.D.), an authority on neo-confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37 degrees latitude, the diagram represents “scholar”.
Ready Stance – Close Ready Stance B
STEP MOVE STANCE TECHNIQUE
1. Left. – L. – Middle Inner Forearm Block
2. Slip L Foot. – Walking. – Upset Fingertip Thrust
3. L to R. – Close. – Low Low Block/High Back Fist (Slow)
4. Right. – L. – Middle Inner Forearm Block
5. Slip R Foot. – Walking. – Upset Fingertip Thrust
6. R to L. – Close. – Low Block/High Back Fist (Slow)
7. Forward. – Walking. – Low X Block
8. High Twin Fist Punch
9. Forward. – Front Snap Kick
10. Land in. – Walking. – Middle Obverse Punch
11. Walking. – Middle Reverse Punch
12. L to R. – Close. – Posture Move Hands on Hips
13. Left 90 Deg. – Sitting. – W Shape Block
14. Right 180 Deg. – Sitting. – W Shape Block
15. Right 180 Deg. – Sitting. – W Shape Block
16. Left 180 Deg. – Sitting. – W Shape Block
17. Right 180 Deg. – Sitting. – W Shape Block
18. Right 180 Deg. – Sitting. – W Shape Block
19. R to L Forward. – L. – Low Double Forearm Block
20. Slip Left Foot. – Walking. – Double Hand Grasp
21. Forward. – Upward Knee Kick
22. Turn. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
23. Forward. – L Low Front Kick
24. Land in. – Walking. – High Flat Fingertip Thrust
25. Forward. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
26. Forward. – R Low Front Kick
27. Land in. – Walking. – High Flat Fingertip Thrust
28. Back. – L. – High Backfist and Low Block
29. Forward Jump. – X. – Low X Block
30. Slip R Foot. – Walking. – High Double Forearm Block
31. Left 270 Deg. – L. – Low Knife Hand Guarding Block
32. Slip L FootWalking. – Circular Block
33. L to R. – L. – Low Knife Hand Guarding Block
34. Slip R Foot. – Walking. – Circular Block
35. Pivot Feet. – Walking. – Circular Block
36. Pivot Feet. – Walking. – Circular Block
37. Move R Foot. – Sitting. – Middle Punch
End – move right foot to Ready Stance
HWA-RANG TUL
Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty about 1400 years ago. This group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three Kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Tae Kwon Do developed into maturity.
Ready Stance – Close Ready Stance C
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. Left. – Sitting. – Middle Palm Pushing Block
2. Middle Punch
3. Middle Punch
4. Right 190 Deg. – L. – Twin Forearm Block
5. Slide Feet. – Upward Punch
6. Fixed. – Middle Side Punch
7. Pull R Foot. – Vertical. – Downward Knife Hand Strike
8. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Punch
9. Left 90 Deg. – Walking. – Lower Outer Forearm Block
10. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Punch
11. Slide Foot. – Grasp Right Fist
12. Side Kick, Knife Hand Strike
13. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Punch
14. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Punch
15. Left 270 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
16. Forward. – Walking. – Middle Straight Fingertip Thrust
17. Left 180 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
18. Middle Turning Kick
19. Middle Turning Kick. – Land in. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
20. Left 90 Deg. – Walking. – Low Outer Forearm Block
21. Pull L Foot. – L. – Middle Punch
22. Forward. – L. – Middle Punch
23. Forward. – L. – Middle Punch
24. Slide L Foot. – Walking. – Low X Fist Block
25. – Slide Forward. – L. – Side Elbow Thrust
26. – Left 90 Deg. – Close. – Middle Inner/Low Outer Block
27. Change Position of Hands
28. Left Forward. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
29. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
End – move right foot to Ready Stance
CHOONG-MOO TUL
Choong-Moo was the given name to the great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Joseon Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (kobukson) which was the precursor of the present day submarine in 1592 A.D. 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. (30 movements).
Ready Stance – Parallel Ready Stance
STEP – MOVE – STANCE – TECHNIQUE
1. Left 90 Deg. – L. – Twin Knife Hand Block
2. – Forward. – Walking. – High Knife Hand Strike/Left Backhand
3. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
4. Forward. – Walking. – Flat Fingertip Thrust
5. Left 90 Deg. L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
6. Right 180 Deg. – Bending Ready
7. Middle Side Kick
8. Left 180 Deg. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block
9. Jumping Right Side Kick. – Land. – L. – Knife Hand Guarding Block
10. Left 270 Deg. – L. – Low Outer Forearm Block
11. Slide Left. – Walking. – Both Hands Grab Head
12. Upward Knee Kick
13. Left 180 Deg. – Walking. – High Reverse Knife Hand Strike
14. High Turning Kick
15. Foot to Foot. – Middle Back Kick
16. Right 180 Deg. – L. – Middle Forearm Guarding Block
17. Middle Turning Kick
18. Right 90 Deg. – L. – U Shape Block
19. Jump Anti-CW. – L. – Middle Knife Hand Guarding Block – 360 Deg
20. Forward. – Walking. – Fingertip Upset Thrust
21. Pull L Foot. – L. – High Back Fist and Low Block
22. – Forward. – Walking. – Middle Straight Fingertip Thrust
23. Left 270 Deg. – Walking. – High Double Forearm Block
24. Forward. – Sitting. – Middle Inward Outer Forearm Block. – High Back Fist
25. Left 180 Deg. – Middle Side Kick
26. Middle Side Kick
27. Right 180 Deg. L. – Middle X Knife Hand Check Block
28. Forward. – Walking. – Upward Twin Palm Block
29. Right 180 Deg. – Walking. – Rising Block
30. Walking. – Reverse Middle Punch
End – move right foot to Ready Stance
Coloured Belt Patterns Videos
Black Belt Patterns
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KWANG-GAE TUL
Kwang-Gae is named after the famous Gwang-Gae-T’o-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 his reign for 39 years.
PO-EUN TUL
Po-Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400 A.D.) 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. (36 movements)
GAE-BAEK TUL
Gae-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 A.D.). The diagram (I) represents his severe and strict military discipline. (44 movements)
EUI-AM TUL
Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements relate to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Oriental Culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The diagram (I) represents his indomitable spirit displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation. (45 movements)
CHOONG-JANG TUL
Choong-Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Joseon Dynasty, fifteenth century. This pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolise the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity. (52 movements)
KO-DANG TUL
Ko-Dang is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man Sik who dedicated his life to the independence movement and education of his people. The 39 movements signify his times of imprisonment and his birthplace on the 39th parallel.
JUCHE TUL
Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, the idea that man is the master of the world and his own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, North Korea. The diagram represents Baekdu mountain in North Korea. (45 moves). This idea is strongly linked to Communist ideology of North Korea.
CHOI-YONG TUL
Choi-Yong is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander-in-Chief of the armed forces during the fourteenth 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 Joseon Dynasty.(46 movements)
SAM-IL TUL
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. (33 Movements)
YOO-SIN TUL
Yoo-Sin is named after General Kim Yoo Sin, commanding general during the Silla Dynasty, who unified the three separate kingdoms of Korea. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 A.D, the year Korea was united. (68 movements)