The Meaning of the ITF Tae Kwon Do Forms (Hyung/Poomse)

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Chun-Ji Literally means heaven and earth. In East Asian philosophy it is interpreted as the creation of the world the beginning of human history. It has two parts; one represents heaven and the other earth. (19 movements)

Tan-Gun Is named after the Tan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 BCE (21 movements)

To-San Is the pseudonym of the patriot An Chang-Ho (1876-1938), who devoted his life to furthering education and the independence movement in Korea. (24 movements)

Won-Yo Is the noted monk who brought Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 ACE. (28 movements)

Yul-Guk is the pseudonym of the great philosopher/Scholar Yi I (1536-1584). Yul Guk was also nicknamed the Confucius of Korea. The 38 movements in this from refer to his birthplace on a 38th latitude and the pattern means scholar. (38 movements)

Chun-Gun is named after the patriot An Chun Gun who resisted Japanese Colonial rule over Korea. Mr. An killed the infamous Military ruler Hiro Bumi Ito. Ito played a leading role in Japan's conquest of Korea. Hiro Bumi Ito was also responsible for many of the atrocities that were committed against the Korean people. The 32 movements of this form represent Mr. An's age when he was executed at Lui-Shunh prison in 1910. (32 movements)

Tae-Gye the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century ACE), an expert on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of this form refer to Yi Hwang's birthplace on a 37th degree latitude and the pattern means scholar.

Hwa Rang is named after the Hwa Rang Youth group, which originated in Silla approximately 1350 years ago. The Hwa Rang were an elite fighting group organized by the 24th King of Silla to defend the country against its aggressive neighbors to the North. The Hwa Rang endured rigorous physical, Martial Arts, spiritual and mental training. They became the actual driving force for unification of the three separate Kingdoms of Korea. (29 movements)

Chung-Mu Is the given name of the great Admiral Yi Sun Shin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to invented the first armored battle ship the Ko Buk San; which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine in 1592 ACE. The reason this pattern ends with a left-hand attack is to symbolize Yi's regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality, checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the King.
(30 movements)

Kwang-Gae Named after the famous Kwan Gae, the 19th King of the Kogoryo Dynasty. Kwan Gae regained all the lost territory including the greater part of Manchuria. The 39 movements refer to Kwan Gae's 39-year reign, and the recovery of lost territory. (39 Movements)

Po-Eun Is the pseudonym of the loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400 ACE). Chong is known for a famous poem, which reads: " I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a hundred times". Chong was also a pioneer in the field of physics, and the pattern represents his unerring loyalty to the King and country toward the end of the Koryo Dynasty.

Kae-Baek Is named after a great General of the Paek Chae Dynasty (660 ACE). The pattern represents his severe and strict military discipline. (44 movements)

Yu-Shin Is named after General Kim Yu Shin, Commanding General during the Silla Dynasty. Kim played an important role in the unification of the three separate kingdoms of Korea. The 68 movements in this form refer to the last two figures of 668 the year of unification. (68 movements)

UL-Ji is named after General UL Ji Mun Duk who successfully defended Korea against a Chinese invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 ACE. UL Ji, employing hit and run guerrilla tactics and he was able to decimate a large percentage of the invasion force. The 42 movements of this from represent the author's age when he designed the pattern, which also represents UL Ji's surname. (42 movements)

Ko-Dang is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man Sik who devoted his life to the independence movement and the education of his people. The 39 movements in this form signify number of times he was imprisoned, and his birthplace on the 39th parallel.
(39 movements)

Sam-IL Denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korea, which began through out the country on March 1, 1919. The 33 movements symbolize the 33 patriots who planned the movement. (33 movements)

Choi-Young is named after General Choi Young, Premier and Commander in Chief of the Armed Forces during the 14th Century Koryo Dynasty. Choi Young was greatly respected for his loyalty, patriotism, and humility. His subordinate commanders, headed by General Yi Sung Gae executed General Choi. Yi later became the first King of the Yi Dynasty.

Yon-Gae Is named after the famous General Yon- Gae So Mun of the Kogoryo Dynasty. The 49 movements in this form refer to the last two figures of 649 ACE, the year Yon-Gae forced the Tang Dynasty of China to abandon their attempts to conquer Korea. Yon Gae forced the Tang to withdraw by destroying nearly 300,000 Chinese troops at An Si Sung.
(49 movements)

Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byon Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements in this form relate to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Eastern School) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The pattern represents Son's indomitable spirit displayed by his dedication to the liberation of his country. (45 movements)

Moon-Mu honors the 30th King of the Silla Dynasty. Moon-Mu's body was buried near Dae Wang Lim (Great King Rock). According to his will, Moon-Mu's 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 advanced culture of the Silla Dynasty. The 61 movements in this form symbolize the last two figures of 661 ACE when Moon Mu came to the throne.
(61 movements)

So-San Is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyung Ung (1520-1604), during the Yi Dynasty. The 72 movements in this form refer to his age when he organized a corps of monk soldiers with the assistance of his pupil Sa Mun Dang. The monk soldiers helped to repulse Japanese pirates who overran much of the Korean peninsula in 1592.
(72 movements)

Se-Jong is named after the greatest Korean King Se-Jong, who was also a noted meteorologist. King Se-Jong invented the Korean phonetic alphabet in 1443 ACE. The 24 movements of this form honor the King, and represent the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet. (24 movements)

Tong-IL denotes the resolution of the current Korean division, which was the result of the Cold War. Many Koreans desire and hope for the reunification of their homeland, which has been divided since 1945. The pattern symbolizes the ethnic and cultural unity of Korean people.