Meaning of the Hyungs, or Poomses, or Forms
International Tae Kwon Do Federation Forms
CHON-JI- (19 movements, 9th Gup) means literally "Heaven and Earth", and is in the Orient, interpreted as
the creation of the world and the beginning of human history. Therefore, it is the initial pattern learned
by the beginner. The pattern consists of two parts-one to represent heaven, the other, the earth.
DAN-GUN- (21 movements, 8th Gup) is named after the Holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.
DO-SAN- (24 movements, 7th Gup) is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876-1938) who
devoted his life to furthering the eduation of Korea and its independence movement.
WON-HYO- (28 movements, 6th Gup) was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.
YUL-GOK- (38 movements, 5th Gup) is the pseudonym of the great philosopher Yi (1536-1584 A.D.)
nicknamed the "Confucious of Korea". The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on
the 38th parallel and the diagram (+) represents scholar.
CHUNG-GUN- (32 movements, 4th Gup) is named after the patriot An-Chung 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 thirty-two movements in this pattern represent Mr. An's age
when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison in 1910.
TOI-GYE- (37 movements, 3rd Gup) is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century A.D.), an
authority on Neo-confucianism. The 37 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th
parallel, and the diagram (+) means scholar.
HWA-RANG- (29 movements, 2nd Gup) is named after the Hwa Rang Do youth group which originated in
the Silla Dynasty around 620 A.D. This group eventually became the driving force in the unification
of the three kingdoms of Korea (Silla, Koguryo, and Baek Je).
CHUNG-MU- (30 movements, 1st Gup) was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Sun Sin of the Yi
Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (kobukson) which was the
precursor of the present day submarine in 1592 A.D. The reason why this pattern ends up with a left
hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained
potentiality checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.
KWANG-GAE- (39 movements, 1st Dan) is named after the famous Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King
of the Koguryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories, including the greater part
of Manchuria. The diagram (+) represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory.
The 39 moves refer to the first two figures of 391 A.D., the year he came to the throne.
PO-EUN- (36 movements, 1st Dan) is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400 A.D.),
who was a famous poet and whose poem "I would not serve a second master though I might 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 the king and country towards
the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
GAE-BAEK- (44 movements, 1st Dan) is named after Gae-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty
(660 A.D.). The diagram (l) represents his indomitable spirit, displayed while dedicating
himself to the prosperity of his nation.
EUI-AM- (45 movements, 2nd Dan) 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 for
this pattern represents his indomitable spirit, which he displayed while dedicating himself
to the prosperity of his nation.
CHUNG-JANG- (52 movements, 2nd Dan) is the pseudonym of General Kim Duk Ryang of the Yi Dynasty
who lived during the 15th century. The pattern ends with a left hand attack, intended to symbolize
the General's death in prison at the age of just 27.
KO-DAN **- (39 movements, 2nd Dan) is the pseudonym of the patriot Cho Man Sik who dedicated his life
to the Korean Independence Movement and the education of the Korean people. The pattern's 39
movements signify his periods of imprisonment and his birthplace on the 39th parallel.
JUCHE **- (45 movements, 2nd Dan) 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 for this pattern represents Baekdu Mountain.
SAM-IL- (33 movements, 3rd Dan) 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.
YU-SHIN- (68 movements, 3rd Dan) is named after General Kim Yu-Shin, 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. This symbolizing Yu-Shin's mistake of following his king's orders to fight with foreign
forces against his own nation.
CHOI-YONG- (46 movements, 3rd Dan) is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander-in-Chief
of the armed forces during the Koryo Dynasty in the 14th century. Choi Yong was greatly
respected for his loyalty, patriotism, and humility. He was executed by his subordinate
commanders headed by General Yi Sung Gae. General Yi later became the first king of the Yi
Dynasty.
YON-GAE- (49 movements, 4th Dan) 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 its invasion of Korea after destroying nearly 300,000 of their troops
at Ansi Sung.
UL-GI- (42 movements, 4th Dan) is named after General Ul-Gi Moon Dok who successfully defended Korea
against a Tang invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 A.D.. General
Ul-Gi employed hit-and-run guerilla tactics and was able to decimate a large percentage of the
invasion force. The diagram for this pattern represents his surname. The 42 movements represent
General Choi Hong Hi's age when he designed the pattern.
MOON-MOO- (61 movements, 4th Dan) honors 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 symbolize the last two figures of 661 A.D. when Moon Moo came to the throne.
SO-SAN- (72 movements, 5th Dan) 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 Myung Dang. The monk soldiers helped repulse the Japanese
pirates who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592.
SE-JONG- (24 movements, 5th Dan) is named after the greatest Korean king, Se-Jong, who invented the
Korean alphabet in 1443, and was also a noted meteorologist. The diagram for this pattern
represents the king, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.
TONG-IL- (56 movements, 6th Dan) denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been
divided since 1945. The diagram for this pattern symbolizes the homogenous race.
World Tae Kwon Do Federation Forms
Palgwe
Palgwe is descriptive of a world made up of elements which are both conflicting and harmonious, i.e.
sky and earth, light and dark, man and woman, and good and evil. These elements meet and depart
from one another according to the rules of nature, thus everlastingly growing and developing.
Number of movements Level of Form Trigram Symbol of Form
Palgwe 1 20 8th Gup Heaven
Palgwe 2 20 7th Gup Lake
Palgwe 3 22 6th Gup Fire
Palgwe 4 24 5th Gup Thunder
Palgwe 5 35 4th Gup Wind
Palgwe 6 19 3rd Gup Water
Palgwe 7 23 2nd Gup Mountain
Palgwe 8 35 1st Gup Earth
Tae Guk
This is the basic poomse in World Tae Kwon Do Federation Poomse. Literally translated, "Tae"
means "bigness", while "Guk" means "eternity", and it represents the essence of Cosmos. Having no
ending and no beginning, Tae Guk represents the Asian philosophical views on the world, and a way
of life. The principle Asian philosophy can be found in the Joo Yeok, the Book of Changes. All
movements are represented by eight symbols, or Palgwe. Eight major branches of philosophical
theories stems from Tae Guk, and the Tae Guk Poomses are derived from these principle theories.
Number of movements Level of Form Trigram Symbol of Form
Tae Guk Il Chang 18 8th Gup Heaven
Tae Guk E Chang 18 7th Gup Lake
Tae Guk Sam Chang 20 6th Gup Fire
Tae Guk Sa Chang 20 5th Gup Thunder
Tae Guk Oh Chang 20 4th Gup Wind
Tae Guk Yuk Chang 19 3rd Gup Water
Tae Guk Chil Chang 25 2nd Gup Mountain
Tae Guk Pal Chang 27 1st Gup Earth
WTF Black Belt Forms
KORYO- (30 movements, 2nd Dan) is the name of an ancient Korean dynasty (935-1392A.D.) and
the derivation of the English word "Korea". The form's linear pattern is based on the Chinese
character for "scholar". The form's movements are said to reflect the spirit of a learned man
imbued with a strong, unyielding spirit.
KUM GANG- (27 movements, 3rd Dan) means "diamond", used widely in Buddhism to symbolize the
eternal and indestructible nature of Buddhist truth. It is also the name of a spectacular
mountain range in North Korea. The form's linear pattern is based on the Chinese character for
"mountain". The form's movements are said to reflect solidarity, stability, and power.
TAE BACK- (26 movements, 4th Dan) means "Great White", the ancient name for a legendary sacred
mountain, which Korean folk legends cite as the origin of the Korean race. Although the specific
mountain in question has never been agreed upon, the idea remains a symbol of the underlying spirit
of the Korean people. The form's linear pattern is based on the Chinese character for "construction",
which symbolizes a bridge between heaven and earth, signifying human beings building a world according
to heaven's laws.
PYUNG WON- (21 movements, 5th Dan) means "vast plain", a metaphor for a vast, endless, flat land
that is the source of all life, and the plain upon which human beings live out their lives. The form's
pattern is based on the Chinese character for "one".
SIP JIN- (28 movements, 5th and 6th Dan) means "ten progressing", a metaphor for endless growth in a
systematic order. The concept is derived from ancient East Asian cosmology, which cites ten entities of
long life: sun, moon, mountain, water, stone, pine tree, herb of eternal youth, tortoise, deer, and crane-
all of which provide human beings with hope, faith, and love. The form is said to symbolize these
ideas. Its linear pattern is based on the Chinese character for "ten".
JI TAE- (28 movements, 6th and 7th Dan) means "earth", a metaphor for the notion that all life begins
and ends on the earth. The form's linear pattern is based on the Korean character for the vowel "o" (a
horizontal line, with a vertical line rising from its middle). This is said to be symbolic of a human being
standing firmly on the ground, surveying heaven and earth. This form is said to represent the various struggles
that define a human being's existence.
CHUNG KWON- (26 movements, 7th Dan) means "heaven's power" or "heaven's authority", a metaphor for the
ancient notion that heaven rules the universe and all human existence. The form's linear pattern is based
on the Korean character for the vowel "u" (a horizontal line, with a vertical line descending from its
middle). This is said to be symbolic of a human being descending from heaven endowed with its power and
living in harmony according to its laws. This form is said to represent both reverence and vitality, as
typified in some of its arm motions.
SILLA HANSOO- (27 movements, 8th Dan) means "source water", a metaphor for the idea that water is a vital
substance which nurtures and sustains all creatures. The form's linear pattern is based on the Chinese character
for "water". This form is said to represent fluidity, flexibility, and adaptability, qualities that define
various aspects of water as it exists in nature.
IL YEO- (23 movements, 9th Dan) means "oneness", a metaphor for the unification of body, mind, and spirit,
a fundamental principle underlying the practice of Tae Kwon Do. The form's linear pattern is based on the
Buddhist swastika symbol, signifying the state in which all aspects of human existence became one.
How to do the Forms
The titles of each form on each form webpage are color coded to match the form with the belt rank. To earn a particular belt color, you must learn that form. To see a detailed diagram of the particular ITF Hyung(form), click on the adjacent "Diagram" link. Each numbered step shown in the diagram matches the corresponding numbered step described in the written description of the form. Please note that there may be a couple minor variations/discrepancies between what is shown in the diagram versus what is described in the written descriptions of the forms. In this case, follow what is written in the descriptions rather than the diagram as the ultimate authoritative source. Please understand that the purpose of these form descriptions are for helping to refresh your memory of the forms rather than a replacement for actual instruction. There is no substitute for real instruction, which goes beyond knowing how the steps of the forms proceed. All diagrams copyright KMAI/Master P. Curell.
ITF Hyungs (Forms)
Chon-Ji (Diagram)
Dan-Gun (Diagram)
Do-San (Diagram)
Won-Hyo (Diagram)
Yul-Guk (Diagram)
Chung-Gun (Diagram)
Toi-Gye (Diagram)
Hwa-Rang (Diagram)
Chung-Mu (Diagram)
Kwang-Gae (Diagram)
Po-Eun
Gae-Baek
Eui-Am
Chung-Jang
Ko-Dan/Juche**
Sam-Il
Yu-Shin
Choi-Yong
Yon-Gae
Ul-Gi
Moon-Moo
So-San
Se-Jong
Tong-Il
WTF Forms
Palgwe Forms
Palgwe One
Palgwe Two
Palgwe Three
Palgwe Four
Palgwe Five
Palgwe Six
Palgwe Seven
Palgwe Eight
Tae Guk Forms#
Tae Guk Il Chang
Tae Guk E Chang
Tae Guk Sam Chang
Tae Guk Sa Chang
Tae Guk Oh Chang
Tae Guk Yuk Chang
Tae Guk Chil Chang
Tae Guk Pal Chang
WTF Black Belt level Forms
Koryo
Kum Gang
Tae Back
Pyung Won
Sip Jin
Ji Tae
Chung Kwon
Silla Hansoo
Il Yeo
*- Taken from Arizona Tae Kwon Do
#- Taken from Cornell Tae Kwon Do
**- In 1983, General Choi Hong Hi replaced Ko-Dan with Juche, which was named after the isolationist policy of "self-reliance" advocated by North Korean leader Kim Il-Sung. General Choi had introduced Tae Kwon Do to North Korea in 1980, and replaced Ko-Dan with Juche in an attempt of reconciliation with North Korea. South Korea viewed the change as treasonous, and many ITF schools still have not embraced the change due to its origins.
