WHITE

Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Tae Kwon Do.

YELLOW

Signifies Earth, from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Tae Kwon Do foundations are being laid.

GREEN

Signifies the plant's growth as Tae Kwon Do skills begin to develop.

BLUE

Signifies the Heaven toward which the plant matures into towering tree as training in Tae Kwon Do progresses.

RED

Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control, and warning the opponent to stay away.

BLACK

Opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon Do. also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

Grade

Pattern Name

Interpretation

10th Kup

4 Directional Punch

Not a pattern, but a training exercise to prepare you.

9th Kup

Chon Ji

hon-Ji means literally "the heaven 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.

8th Kup

Dan Gun

Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dan-gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year of 2333 BC.

7th Kup

Do San

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.

6th Kup

Won Hyo

Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Sillia dynasty in the year of 686 AD

5th Kup

Yul Gok

Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea". The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38th parallel and the diagram represents "scholar".

4th Kup

Joong Gun

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 at Lui-Shung prison (1910).

3rd Kup

Toi Gye

Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century), an authority on neo-confucianism. the 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37th parallel.

2nd Kup

Hwa rang

Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Sillia dynasty in the early 7th century. the 29 movements refer to the 29th infantry division, where Tae Kwon Do developed into maturity.

1st Kup

Choong Moo

Choong-Moo was the name given to the great admiral Yi sun-sin of the Yi dynasty. he was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (kobukson) in 1592, 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 forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.