Background

Oath

Belts

Patterns

Read on or select pattern from list for info on pattern

Select a pattern Chon-Ji Dan-Gun Do-San Won-Hyo Yul-Gok Joong-Gun Toi-Gye Hwa-Rang Choong-Moo - External link - please come back!!!

A little Background

Taekwondo is a Korean martial art. At present there are two main 'strands' of Taekwondo ITF and WTF. As I practice ITF (International Taekwondo Federation)style Taekwondo most of what follows is about ITF

Taekwondo is a unique martial art in that it expresses the essence of its county of origin. No other martial art has been so influential in the country of its origin as has Taekwondo in Korea. Some believe Taekwondo is Korea's most effective diplomatic tool in spreading Korean culture throughout the world. However, Taekwondo has an identity problem due to confusion and distortion regarding its historical origins and process of development. 

Writings on Taekwondo history usually portray Taekwondo as an unique product of Korean culture, developed over the long course of Korean history since the Three Kingdoms Era. This is especially true of the 'theory' involved in WTF. However, Taekwondo's primary influence came from Japanese Karate that was introduced into Korea just after World War II by Major General Choi Hong Hi.

Tenets of Taekwondo

These are the five items which are the philosophy of Taekwondo, or more accurately what the student of Taekwondo should strive to achieve and use in everyday life as well as in training:

• Courtesy
• Integrity
• Perseverance
• Self Control
• Indomitable Spirit

Students repeat these tenets at the start of each training session along with an oath.

The Oath

I shall observe the tenets of Taekwondo
I shall respect the instructor and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwondo
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world

Again this is used at the beginning of each training session.

Belts

When talking about martial arts people always for some reason ask what belt you are 'are you a black belt?'

Belts are strange, they seem to fight against the whole philosophy of many martial arts, for example in Taekwondo all students wear a dobok (training suit) this amongst other things represents each student as being equal in the class.

Anyway here are the belt colours used:

Students must grade through the following belts in the following order:
white belt given to the beginner (10th gup)
white belt yellow tags (9th gup)
yellow belt (8th gup)
yellow belt green tags (7th gup)
green belt (6th gup)
green belt blue tags (5th gup)
blue belt (4th gup))
blue belt red tags (3rd gup)
red belt (2nd gup)
red belt black tags (1st gup)
through to Black Belt (1st dan/degree).

Patterns

There are 24 patterns in Taekwondo (four directional blocking and punching are exercises not patterns). I will add links to the actual moves and interpretations when I get time!

• Chon-Ji
• Dan-Gun
• Do-San
• Won-Hyo
• Yul-Gok
• Joong-Gun
• Toi-Gye
• Hwa-Rang
• Choong-Moo
• Kwang-Gae
• Po-Ean
• Ge-Baek
• Eui-Am
• Choong-Jang
• Juche
• Sam-Il
• Yoo-Sin
• Choi-Yang
• Yong-Gae
• Ul-Ji
• Moon-Moo
• So-San
• Se-Jang
• Tong-Il