PATTERN-TUL
Forms, or tul (also teul or 틀) in Korean, originally called hyeong, form an important aspect of training in Taekwon-Do. They are equivalent to the kata in karate. The majority of the patterns (except Yul-Gok, Ul-Ji and Tong-Il) start with a defensive move, which emphasizes taekwon-do’s defensive nature. All of the patterns start and end at the same location. This ensures that the practitioners’ stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction.
There are 24 patterns in the official ITF “Chang Hon” syllabus; this is symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. One additional pattern, Ko-Dang (or Go-Dang), was retired/replaced by Juche in 1986 by General Choi Hong Hi. Ko-Dang and Juche are similar, and some Taekwon-do organisations have renamed Juche to Ko-Dang though most perform the newer pattern. The names of these patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns may also be historical references, such as the number of moves, the diagram, the way the pattern ends, and so on.
Patterns (teul) are performed in accordance with The Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do in 15 volumes written by General Choi Hong Hi, the latest edition being from 1999 (later editions have been published, but the 1999 editions were the last General Choi Hong Hi was directly involved with). This comprehensive work contains 15 volumes with volumes 8 through 15 dedicated to the 24 patterns and containing descriptions of the pattern movements as well as pictures showing possible applications of some of the movements. There is also the book entitled The Korean Art of Self Defense (the 1999 edition, the latest used by ITF under Grandmaster Tran Trieu Quan and ITF under Grandmaster Choi, or the 2004 edition, the latest used by ITF under Chang Ung), also known as the Condensed Encyclopedia, written by General Choi Hong Hi. This is a single condensed encyclopedia of approximately 770 pages with a section dedicated to the 24 patterns.
There are also three fundamental exercises, named Saju-Jirugi (Four Direction Punch), Saju-Makgi (Four Direction Block) and Saju Tulgi (Four Direction Thrust). Saju-Jirugi and Saju-Makgi are basic defence exercises taught to beginners of the martial art. Saju Tulgi is less well known and is generally taught to 2nd Kup students just prior to Hwa-Rang. Saju Tulgi is not presented in the Condensed Encyclopedia but is present in the 15 Volume Encyclopedia (see: Volume 10, page 122.)
Four Direction Punch
Saju JirugiThis fundamental exercise is practiced by 10th gup holder or the early beginner.
Four Direction Block
Saju Makki This fundamental exercise is practiced by 10th gup holder or the early beginner.
Chon-Ji Tul
Meaning: Chon-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.
Movements: 19
Ready Posture: Parallel Ready Stance (towards D)
DAN-GUN is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea, in the year of 2333 B.C.
Ready Posture – parallel ready stance
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.
Ready Posture – parallel ready stance
WON-HYO was the noted monk, who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.
Ready Posture – closed ready stance A
YUL-GOK is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi l (1536-1584) nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”.
The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38* latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.
Ready Posture – parallel ready stance
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 Korean-Japanese merger.
There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr. Ahn’s age when he was executed in a Lui-Shung prison (1910).
Ready Posture – closed ready stance B
TOI-GYE is the pen name of the noted scholar, Yi Hwang (16th century), who was an authority on neo-Confucianism.
The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37th degree latitude, and the diagram represents “scholar”.
Ready Posture – closed ready stance B
Four Direction Thrust
Saju Tulgi This fundamental exercise is practiced by 2nd gup holder.
HWA-RANG is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century.
The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.
Ready Posture – closed ready stance C
CHOONG-MOO was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Lee Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored 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.
Ready Posture – parallel ready stance
KWANG-GAE 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 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 A. D., the year he came to the throne.
Ready Posture – parallel stance with heaven hands
PO-EUN is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400), 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 loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
Ready Posture – parallel stance with heaven hands
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.
Ready Posture – parallel ready stance