Meaning of Patterns

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 played by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts; one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth. (19 movements)

Dan-Gun:          is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in 2,333 BC. (21)

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. (24)

Won-Hyo:          was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism in the Silla dynasty in 686AD. (28)

Yul-Gok:           is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yil (1536-1584) nicknamed the “Confucius  of Korea”. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38° latitude and the diagram represents scholar. (38)

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 in Lui-Shung Prison (1910). (32)

Toi-Gye:            is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16^th century), an authority on neo-Confucianism.  The 37 movement of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37° latitude, the diagram represents scholar. (37)

Hwa-Rang:        is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7^th century. The 29 movements of this pattern refer to the 29^th Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity. (29)

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), 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 symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by the firced reservation of his loyalty to the king. (30)

Meaning of Belt Colours:

White:               signifies innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.

Yellow:              signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundations are being laid.

Green:              signifies the plant’s growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop.

Blue:                 signifies the Heaven, towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.

Red:                 signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.

Black:               opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It also indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear.

The above colours have not been arbitrarily chosen. They are, in fact, steeped in tradition. The colours of black, red and blue denote the various levels of hierarchy during the Koguryo and Silla Dynasties. A half black and half white belt is used for the junior black belt holder.

All of the above information was taken from the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do.