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What is a pattern?
 
A pattern is a set of fundamental movements both attack and defence, set in a logical sequence designed to deal with one or more imaginary opponents. Patterns are an indication of a students progress, or a barometer in evaluating an individual’s technique.
 
Why do we perform patterns?
 
Patterns are practised to improve Taekwon-Do techniques, to develop sparring techniques, improve flexibility of movement, master body shifting, build and tone muscles and improve balance and breath control. They also enable the student to learn techniques which cannot be found in other forms of training.
 
Why do we learn the pattern meanings?
 
The name and number of moves and the diagrammatic symbol of each pattern symbolize either a historical event, a heroic figure in Korean history or instances relating to historical events. These events are to be respected. Although the history is Korean, all people and cultures can relate to the struggle and triumphs. The messages and morals are universal and the purpose of memorising the meanings is to honour and uphold the people, actions and events, therefore representing the tenets of Taekwon-Do.
 
Why are there 24 patterns?
 
The reason for 24 patterns is because the founder, Major General Choi Hong Hi, compared the life of a man with a day in the life of the earth. He believes that people should strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy to coming generations and in doing so gain immortality. Therefore if we can leave something behind for the welfare of mankind, maybe it will be the most important thing to happen in our lives, as the founder says…“Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of a man of the late 20th century. The twenty four patterns represent twenty four hours, one day or all of my life”
 
The following points should be considered when performing patterns
 

1. Saju Jirugi 
https://youtu.be/-jU-6897y9U

2. Saju Makgi 
https://youtu.be/nO9EmLaxbAA

3. Chon-Ji 19 moves – learnt at 9th Kup
Chon-Ji literally means ‘Heaven and 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 Heaven, the other the Earth.
https://youtu.be/pRbmNys1tKI

4. Dan-Gun – 21 moves learnt at 8th Kup
Dan-Gun is named after the Holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.
https://youtu.be/GoZFgtc9kHQ

5. Do-San-24 moves – learnt at 7th Kup
Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876 to 1938), who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and its Independent Movement.
https://youtu.be/WqUy-MeFSJs

6. Won-Hyo-28 moves – learnt at 6th Kup
Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD
https://youtu.be/UIldWDhfddM

7. Yul-Gok-38 moves – learnt at 5th Kup
Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536 to 1584 AD) nicknamed the ‘Confucius of Korea’. The 38 movements refer to his birthplace on the 380 latitude and the diagram (+) represents the scholar.
https://youtu.be/IYjaMnn8IsM

8. Joong-Gun – 32 moves – learnt at 4th Kup
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. The 32 movements of this pattern represent Mr Ahn’s age when he was executed in the Lui-Shung prison (1910)
https://youtu.be/79vzu3Hgm3U

9. Toi-Gye – 37 moves – learnt at 3rd Kup
Toi-Gye is the penname of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th Century AD), an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements refer to his birthplace on the 37-degree latitude and the diagram (+) represents the scholar.
https://youtu.be/dXySPEHjwW0

10. Hwa-Rang-29 moves – learnt at 2nd Kup
Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty during the early 7th Century AD. This group eventually became the actual driving force towards the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea.
https://youtu.be/1oZjONeEBkQ
The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Tae Kwon-Do developed into maturity.

11. Choong-Moo 30 moves – learnt at 1st Kup
Choong-Moo was the given name of the great admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship, nicknamed Kobukson, which was the precursor to the present day submarine, in the year 1592 AD. The reason why this pattern ends with a left hand attack is to symbolise his regrettable death, having had no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality, checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to his King.
https://youtu.be/ivdVFnOXu3A

Black Belt Patterns
12. Kwang-Gae – 39 moves – learnt at 1st Dan
Kwang-Gae is named after the famous Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynasty who regained all of the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram (+) represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the 1st two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne.
https://youtu.be/g3HRu_rURrE

13. Po-Eun-36 moves – learnt at 1st Dan
Po-Eun is the pseudonym of the loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400 AD) who was a famous poet and whose poem ‘I would not serve a second master though I may be crucified a hundred times’ is known to every Korean. He was also a pioneer in the field of physics. The diagram (?) represents his unerring loyalty to his King and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
https://youtu.be/CrotdV9vvjs

14. Ge-Baek – 44 moves – learnt at 1st Dan
Ge-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great General in the Baek-Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram (?) represents his severe and strict military discipline.
https://youtu.be/HYgvwFTlNcA

15. Eui-Am-45 moves – learnt at 2nd Dan
Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Oriental culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly way religion) in 1905. The diagram represents his Indomitable Spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.
https://youtu.be/DBFHnf_DubE

16. Choong-Jang – 52 moves – learnt at 2nd Dan
Choong-Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 16th century. This pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolize the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity.
https://youtu.be/ESLlbNCxnqA

17. Juche 45 moves learnt at 2nd Dan
Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, the idea that man is the master of the world and his own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain which symbolizes the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram represents Baekdu mountain.
https://youtu.be/hdKyLTkpizY

18. Sam-ll 33 moves learnt at 3rd Dan
Sam-ll denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1, 1919. The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.
https://youtu.be/-yCP1ktL4XQ

19. Yoo-Sin 68 moves – learnt at 3rd Dan
Yoo-Sin is named after General Kim Yoo Sin, a commanding general during the Silla Dynasty. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 A.D., the year Korea was united. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn on the right rather than left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin’s mistake of following his Kings’ orders to fight with foreign forces against his own nation.
https://youtu.be/Kga-WIixw98

20. Choi-Yong 46 moves – learnt at 3rd Dan
Choi-Yong is named after General Choi Yong, premier and commander in chief of the armed forces during the 14th century Koryo Dynasty. Choi Yong was greatly respected for his loyalty, patriotism, and humility. He was executed by his subordinate commanders headed by general Yi Sung Gae, who later became the first King of the Yi Dynasty.
https://youtu.be/wTGWbYlR5RY

21. Yong-Gae49 moves – learnt at 4th Dan
Yong-Gae is named after a famous general during the Koguryo Dynasty, Yon Gae Somoon. The 49 movements refer to the last two figures of 649 A.D., the year he forced the Tang Dynasty to quit Korea after destroying nearly 300,000 of their troops at Ansi Sung.
https://youtu.be/FLCIRmejEz0

22. Ul-Ji – 42 moves – learnt at 4th Dan
Ul-Ji is named after general Ul-Ji Moon Dok who successfully defended Korea against a Tang’s invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 A.D. UI-Ji employing hit and run guerilla tactics, was able to decimate a large percentage of the force. The diagram represents his surname. The 42 movements represent the author’s age when he designed the pattern.
https://youtu.be/4hKIYXyYVO0

23. Moon-Moo 61 moves – learnt at 4th
Moon-Moo honours the 30th King of the Silla Dynasty. His body was buried near Dae Wang Am (Great King’s Rock). According to his will, the 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 culture of the Silla Dynasty. The 61 movements in this pattern symbolize the last two figures of 661 A.D. when Moon Moo came to the throne.
https://youtu.be/JKHdCqslpRs

24. So-San-72 moves
learnt at 5th Dan
So-San is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyong Ung (1520-1604) during the Yi Dynasty. The 72 movements refer to his age when he organized a corps of monk soldiers with the assistance of his pupil Sa Myunh Dang. The monk soldiers helped repulse the Japanese pirates who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592.
https://youtu.be/xnALXqmHGeg

25. Se-Jong-24 moves learnt at 5th Dan
Se-Jong is named after the greatest Korean King, Se-Jong, who invented the Korean alphabet in 1443, and was also a noted meteorologist. The diagram represents the king, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.
https://youtu.be/MpY_VXorJeA

26. Tong-l1-56 moves – learnt at 6th Dan
Tong-Il denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram symbolizes the homogenous race.
https://youtu.be/PMXnPNSSkhk