What is Taekwondo?

Taekwondo (태권도; 跆拳道) is a Korean martial art and the national sport of South Korea. In Korean, tae (태, 跆) means "to strike or break with foot"; kwon (권, 拳) means "to strike or break with fist"; and do (도, 道) means "way," "method," or "art." Thus, taekwondo may be loosely translated as "the way of the foot and fist" or "the way of kicking and punching."

Taekwondo is the world's most popular martial art in terms of the number of practitioners. Its popularity has resulted in the varied development of the martial art into several domains: as with many other arts, it combines combat techniques, self-defense, sport, exercise, meditation, and philosophy. Taekwondo is also used by the South Korean military as part of its training. Gyeorugi (the noun form of "Gyeoruda" which translates: “to duel”), a type of sparring, has been an Olympic event since 2000.

Formally, there are two main styles of taekwondo. One comes from the Kukkiwon, the source of the sparring system sihap gyeorugi which is now an event at the summer Olympic Games and which is governed by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF). The other comes from the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF).

Separate from the various taekwondo organizations, there have been two general branches of taekwondo development: traditional and sport. The term "traditional taekwondo" typically refers to the martial art as it was established in the 1950s and 1960s in the South Korean military forces; in particular, the names and symbolism of the traditional patterns often refer to elements of Korean history. Sport taekwondo has evolved in the decades since then and has a somewhat different focus, especially in terms of its emphasis on speed and competition (as in Olympic sparring), whereas traditional taekwondo tends to emphasize power and self-defense. The two are not mutually exclusive, and the distinctions between them are often blurred.

Although there are doctrinal and technical differences between the two main styles and among the various organizations, the art in general emphasizes kicks thrown from a mobile stance, employing the leg's greater reach and power (compared to the arm). The greatest difference between various styles, or at least the most obvious, is generally accepted to be the differing styles and rules of sport and competition. Taekwondo training generally includes a system of blocks, kicks, punches, and open-handed strikes and may also include various take-downs or sweeps, throws, and joint locks. Some taekwondo instructors also incorporate the use of pressure points, known as jiapsul, as well as grabbing self-defense techniques borrowed from other martial arts, such as hapkido (Korean) and judo (Japanese).

World Taekwondo Federation Patterns

Kukkiwon Taekwondo (Olympic TKD) has a series of patterns or Poomsae. The literal translation of Poomsae is 'quality shapes of strength'. The Poomse are a set of 17 patterns mimicking combat scenarios with multiple attackers. Used as a way to train both the mind and the body, patterns act as a form of meditation as well as allowing the student to see the application of the various stances, hand techniques, blocks and kicks. When done properly, both the student and an observer should be able to imagine the opponent and techniques should be performed realistically with power and intent and in keeping with the meanings (below). The student should move with graceful fluidness and the sound of a snapping Dobok should be heard on any block, kick or strike. As the student progress, the Poomsae become more challenging and test other skills such as balance, timing and co-ordination. Taekwondo students begin performing patterns for rank testing at white belt and upwards. Patterns for poomsae are simply numbered in Korean from one to eight. The patterns required to attain each kup/ grade have their individual names. Each of the Poomsae have a meaning attached to it represented in words and trigrams - a series of 3 horizontal broken or full lines:

Taeguk Il Jang (For Yellow belt)

The general meaning of this form and associated trigram is Yang, which represents Heaven and Light. Also, this trigram has a relationship to South and Father. The first Taeguk form is the beginning of all Poomsaes, the "birth" of the martial artist into Taekwondo. This Poomsae should be performed with the greatness of Heaven.

Taeguk Ee Jang (For High Yellow belt )

The associated trigram of this Poomsae represents the Lake. Also, related to the symbol is South East and the relationship of the youngest daughter. The movements of this Taeguk are aimed to be performed believing that man has limitations, but that we can overcome these limitations. The Lake and its water symbolize the flowing and calm nature of the martial artist. This form is to reflect those attributes.

Taeguk Sam Jang (For Green belt)

This trigram represents Fire. Related to this symbol is also East and the relationship of the Second Daughter. Fire contains a lot of energy. The symbol behind the fire is similar to the symbolism of the water in that both can aid and both can destroy. This form is intended to be performed rhythmically, with some outbursts of energy to reflect fire's rhythmic and energetic dualism.

Taeguk Sa Jang (For High Green belt )

This trigram represents Thunder. Also, the trigram is strongly connected to northeast and the relationship of the Eldest son. Thunder comes from the sky and is absorbed by the earth, thus, according to the beliefs of the I Ching, thunder is one of the most powerful natural forces. This poomse is associated with power and the connection between the heavens and earth. This poomse is intended to be performed with power resembling the Thunder for which it is named.

Taeguk Oh Jang (For Blue belt)

The trigram associated with this poomse represents Wind. The trigram is also related to southwest and the relationship with an eldest daughter. The I Ching promotes that wind is a gentle force, but can sometimes be furious, destroying everything in its path. As such, it is intended that this poomse is performed like the wind: gently, but knowing the ability of mass destruction with a single movement. The performer and audience should be aware of the duality of the form.

Taeguk Yook Jang (For High Blue belt )

The trigram associated with this poomse represents Water. Also, there is a relation to West and the relationship with a Second son. The movements of this Poomsae are intended to be performed like water; flowing, powerful and cleansing. Sometimes standing still like water in a lake, sometimes thriving as a river, sometimes powerful like a waterfall. The water is to symbolize calm and cleansing, while also possessing the attribute of being violent and destructive.

Taeguk Chil Jang (For Red belt)

The trigram associated with this poomse represents a Mountain. Also, it represents the northwest and youngest son. The symbolism behind the mountain is the indomitable and majestic nature that all mountains possess. This Poomsae is intended to be performed with the feeling that all movements are this majestic due to their unconquerable nature.

Taeguk Pal Jang (For High Red belt )

The trigram associated with this Poomsae represents the Earth. Also, there is a representation of North and Mother. The associated trigram of this Poomsae is Yin. Yin, here, represents the end of the beginning, the evil part of all that is good. This being the last of the Poomsae Taegeuk, it represents the end of the circle and the cyclic nature of the Earth.

Koryo (For 1st Dan)

Koryo, or Goryeo, is the name of an old Korean Dynasty. The people from the Goryeo defeated the Mongolian aggressors. It is intended that their spirit is reflected in the movements of the Poomsae Koryo. Each movement of this Poomsae represents the strength and energy needed to control the Mongols. Koryo poomsae symbolizes "seonbae" which means a learned man, who is characterized by a strong martial sprit as well as a righteous learned man's sprit. The sprit had been inherited through the ages of Koryo, Palhae and down to Koryo, which is the background of organizing the Koryo poomsae.

Keumgang (For 2nd Dan)

Keumgang means "diamond," symbolizing hardness. Keumgang is also the name of the most beautiful mountain in Korea, as well as the Keumgang warrior, named by Buddha. Thus, the themes of hardness, beauty, and pondering permeate this Poomsae. "Keumgang Yeoksa"[Keumgang warrior] as named by Buddha, who represents the mightiest warrior, is the background of denominating this poomsae. The movement should be powerful and well balanced so as to befit the black belt's dignity.

Taebaek (For 3rd Dan)

The legendary Dangun founded a nation in Taebaek, near Korea's biggest mountain Baekdoo. Baekdoo is a known symbol for Korea. The definition of the word taebaek is literally "lightness". Every movement in this Poomsae is intended to be not only be exact and fast, but with determination and hardness resembling the mountain Baekdoo, the origin of the nation of Korea.The poomsae Pyongwon was based on the idea of peace and struggle resulting from the principles of origin and use. The line of poomsae means the origin and transformation of the plain.

Pyongwon (For Instructor - 4th Dan)

The definition of Pyongwon is "stretch, vast plain." The name carries with it a connotation of being large and majestic.

Sipjin (For Instructor - 5th Dan)

Sipjin stands for ten symbols of longevity, which are Sun, Moon, Mountain, Water, Stone, Pine tree, Herb of eternal youth, Turtle, Deer, and Crane. They are 2 heavenly bodies, 3 natural resources, 2 plants and 3 animals, all giving human beings faith, hope and love. The poomsae Sipjin symbolizes those things. This Poomsae represents the endless development and growth by the basic idea of the ten symbols of longevity and the decimal system.

Jitae (For Instructor - 6th Dan)

This Poomsae is derived from the meaning of the earth. All things evolve from and return to the earth, the earth is the beginning and the end of life, as reelected through the Yin and Yang. The word "Jitae" means a man standing on the ground with two feet, looking over the sky. A man on the earth represents the way of struggling for human life, such as kicking, trading and jumping on the ground. Therefore, the poomsae symbolizes various aspects occurring in the course of human being's struggle for existence. The poomsae line signified a man standing on earth to spring up toward the heaven.

Cheonkwon (For Master 7th Dan)

The word "Chonkwon" means the Heaven's Great Mighty, which is the origin of all the creature and itself the cosmos. Its infinite competence signifies the creation, change and completion. Human beings have used the name of Heaven for all principal earthly shapes and meanings because they felt afraid of the Heaven's mighty. Over 4,000 years ago, the founder of the Korean people, "Hwanin" meant the heavenly King. He settled down in the "heavenly" town as the capital near the heavenly sea and heavenly mountain, where the Han people as the heavenly race gave birth to the proper through and action from which Taekwondo was originated. The poomsae Chunkwon is based on such sublime history and thoughts. The characteristics of movements are large actions and arm sections forming gentle curves, thus symbolizing the greatness of Chunkwon thought. The poomsae line "T" symbolizes a man coming down from the heaven, submitting to the will of Heaven, being endowed power by the Heaven and worshiping the Heaven, which means the oneness between the Heaven and a human being.

Hansoo (For master - 8th Dan)

The word "Hansu" means water is the source of substance preserving the life and growing all the creatures. Hansu symbolizes birth of a life and growth, strength & weakness, magnanimity & harmony, and adaptability. Especially, "han" has the various meanings, namely, the name of a country, numerousness, largeness, evenness, length and even the heaven and the root of evening, among others. Above all, the above significances, is the background of organizing this poomsae. Actions should be practiced softly like water but continuously like a drop of water gathering to make an ocean. The poomsae line symbolizes the Chinese letter that means water.

Ilyo (For Grandmaster - 9th Dan)

The state of spiritual cultivation in Buddhism is called 'Ilyo' which means 'oneness'. In Ilyo, body and mind, spirit and substance, "I" and "you" are unified. The ultimate ideal of the martial art and Poomsae can be found in this state. It is a discipline in which every movement is concentrated on leaving all materialistic thoughts, obsessions and external influences behind. It teaches that a point, a line or a circle ends up all in one. Therefore, the poomsae Ilyeo represents the harmonization of spirit and body, which is the essence of martial art, after a long training of various types of techniques and spiritual cultivation for completion of Taekwondo practice.