Meaning of Patterns

The Interpretation of Patterns

The Chang-Han style patterns and their definitions were originally published by General Choi Hong-Hi in his textbook, Taekwon-Do. There are some additional patterns that were introduced by Grandmaster Park Jung-Tae as part of the pattern set practiced in the GTF. The name of each pattern, the number of movements, and the diagrammatic symbol of each pattern symbolize either heroic figures in Korean history or instances relating to historical events. Below are the meanings of all the color belt forms. Click here for a printable version of this page. If you are a black belt training at TMAC, and you need a copy of the meaning for your patterns, e-mail us and we will send one to you!

Chon-Ji (19 moves)

Chon-Ji 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 very similar parts; one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth.

Old Dan-Gun (21 moves)

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

Jee-Sang (24 moves)

2Jee-Sang symbolizes man’s existence on this planet. The 24 movements represent time and man’s connection to one another on a 24-hour basis.

Do-San (24 moves)

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.

New Dan-Gun (23 moves)

The 23 moves in this pattern stand for the first two digits of the year 2333 B.C., when the holy Dan-Gun founded Korea.

Won-Hyo (28 moves)

Won-Hyo is named after the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Sylla Dynasty in the year 686 AD.

Yul-Gok (38 moves)

Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the 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 latitude, and the diagram represents “scholar”.

Joong-Gun (32 moves)

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 in 1910.

Toi-Gye (37 moves)

Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang, who lived in the 16th century and was an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th latitude, and the diagram represents “scholar”.

Hwa-Rang (29 moves)

Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Sylla Dynasty during the 7th century AD. 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 modern Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.

Jee-Goo (30 moves)

Jee-Goo means “Global”. The ready stance is a parallel stance with forearms crossed. This stance symbolizes the crossing out of the years of strife in Taekwon-Do. The first movement represents breaking away from the past and reflects Grandmaster Park’s desire for world peace and harmony. The 30 movements are divided into 24, 4 and 2. The number 24 represents the hours in a day, so that the thought of world peace and harmony will be with us every second. The number 4 represents the four directions of North, South, East and West, for all people of all nations. The number 2 is demonstrated by playing the pattern twice in each direction to reaffirm our commitment to the idea of world peace and harmony.

Choong-Moo (30 moves)

Choong-Moo is the honorary name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. In 1592 AD, he invented the first armored battleship (kobukson), which was the precursor of the present day submarine. This pattern ends with a left hand attack to symbolize Admiral Yi’s regrettable death before he was able to show his unrestrained potentiality, because he remained loyal to the king.