Taekwondo Patterns

Patterns, or Poomses in the Korean language, are a series of defending and attacking movements performed against imaginary opponents in a set routine. Through the practice of poomse, students come to learn the applications of various techniques of Taekwondo. Poomse serve a role by aiding in development and refinement of coordination, balance, timing, breath control and rhythm, all of which are essential skills to the Taekwondo student.

 

Taegeuk (WTF)

World Taekwondo (formerly WTF - World Taekwondo Federation) uses Taegeuk Poomses for patterns. Poomses originate from the book 'I Ching', a Chinese oracle. The I Ching has 64 hexagrams, a combination of two sets of three lines, closed or broken. The sets of three lines are called trigrams. The closed lines represent Yang, the open lines Yin (Eum). In the chinese language, the unity of Yin and Yang is called 'taich'i'. In the Korean language, the unity is called T'ae-guk. This explains the term Poomse Taeguk. The eight trigrams together are called Pal-gwe as in Poomse Palgwe...

Taegeuk	Meaning
Il Jang		Heaven - Keon - 18 Movements
Ee Jang		Joyfulness - Tae - 18 Movements
Sam Jang		Fire - Ri - 20 Movements
Sah Jang		Thunder - Jin - 20 Movements
Oh Jang		Wind - Seon - 20 Movements
Yook Jang		Water - Gam - 23 Movements
Chil Jang		Mountain - Gan - 25 Movements
Pal Jang		Earth - Gon - 24 Movements

 

Dan Grade (WTF)

The Dan grade patterns (poomse) are listed below...

Koryo	1st Dan
Keumgang	2nd Dan
Taebaek	3rd Dan
Pyongwon	4th Dan
Sipjin	5th Dan
Jitae	6th Dan
Chonkwon	7th Dan
Hansu	8th Dan
Ilyeo	9th Dan

 

Kibon (Basic) Forms

Beginners will also practice the Kibon (basic) forms which are short and easier to remember, especially for our younger students. Click here to see more details about these...