Opposite of White, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwondo. It also indicates the wearer is impervious to darkness and fear.
1. Koryo
Meaning: Learned Man/Woman
Philosophical Meaning: Symbolizes seonbae which means a learned man/woman, who is characterized by a strong martial spirit as well as a righteous spirit. The choonbi-sugi (ready stance) is tongmilgi which promotes concentration by placing the hands between the upper and lower abdomen, the center of ki in the body. The movement line of Koryo represents the Chinese character for seonbae or seonbi, which means a learned man/woman or a man/woman of virtue in Korean. For the 1st dan.
From the ready stance (Joon Bi) with your hands by your belt, you open your hands (with the hands facing each other, finger tip to finger tip and palms up) and slowly move them towards your head
When you reach chest level, you should flip them over (slowly) so they rise to form a triangle in front of your face
Once in front of your face, you push the “triangle” out directly away from your face
At the same time, you should slowly rise up on your toes when you start moving your hands and then sink back down to “flat” feet (flat on the ground) when you push the triangle out
If this initial step (with the hands) sounds complicated, please watch the videos above (as this is an easy maneuver).
Turn left 90 degrees into a back stance, left foot forward and execute a double knife hand block
With your right (rear) foot execute a double side kick (low and high) and land forward on this right leg in a front stance
Then execute a knife hand strike (palm down) to the imaginary opponent’s neck with your right hand and then quickly throw a punch with your left hand
Then move into a back stance by moving your forward leg back into position and at the same time, execute an inside block with your right arm
Turn right 180 degrees into a back stance, right foot forward and execute a double knife hand block
With your left (rear) foot execute a double side kick (low and high) and land forward on this left leg in a front stance
Then execute a knife hand strike (palm down) to the imaginary opponent’s neck with your left hand and then quickly throw a punch with your right hand
Then move into a back stance by moving your forward leg back into position and at the same time, execute an inside block with your left arm
Turn left 90 degrees into a front stance (left leg forward) and execute a low knife hand block with your left hand and then throw an arc hand strike to the imaginary opponent’s neck with your right hand
Then do a front kick with your rear (right) leg and go into a front stance, execute a low knife hand block with your right hand and then throw an arc hand strike to the imaginary opponent’s neck with your left hand
Then do another front kick with your rear (left) leg and go into a front stance, execute a low knife hand block with your left hand and then throw an arc hand strike to the imaginary opponent’s neck with your right hand. At the end of this maneuver, yell “Kihap”.
Now, execute a front kick with your rear (right) leg and land in a front stance, grasp your imaginary opponent’s ankle with your right hand and press down on the imaginary opponent’s knee with your left hand
Turn 180 degrees to the left, go into a front stance (right leg forward) and execute a double inner block
Then do a front kick with your rear (left) leg and land in a front stance, grasp your imaginary opponent’s ankle with your left hand and press down on the imaginary opponent’s knee with your right hand
Move your left foot back into a walking stance and execute a double inner block
Turn 90 degrees by stepping back with your right foot into a horse-riding stance and do a single knife hand block with your left hand (right hand on your belt in a fist)
Punch your right hand into the palm of your left hand – keep your left arm extended. You will turn your left hand slightly from the knife hand block position – imagine grasping an opponent with your left hand and holding him while you strike him with a punch from your right hand.
Cross your right foot over your left foot and execute a side kick with your left foot
After “landing” your side kick turn 180 degrees and go into a front stance (right leg forward)
Throw a groin finger strike with left hand while “grasping” your imaginary opponent with your right hand and “pulling” him until your right hand lands on your left shoulder
Then slide your right foot back into a walking stance and execute a low block with your right arm (and bring your left fist to your belt)
Step forward into a walking stance (with your left foot forward) and execute a down palm block with your left hand
Step forward with your right foot into a horse-riding stance and throw an elbow strike (against an opponent on your right side – looks almost like an elbow “poke”) with right fist enclosed by your left hand
Then transition into a single knife hand block with your right hand (left hand on your belt in a fist)
Punch your left hand into the palm of your right hand – keep your right arm extended. You will turn your right hand slightly from the knife hand block position – imagine grasping an opponent with your right hand and holding him while you strike him with a punch from your left hand.
Cross your left foot over your right foot and execute a side kick with your right foot
After “landing” your side kick turn 180 degrees and go into a front stance (left leg forward)
Throw a groin finger strike with right hand while “grasping” your imaginary opponent with your left hand and “pulling” him until your left hand lands on your right shoulder
Then slide your left foot back into a walking stance and execute a low block with your left arm (and bring your right fist to your belt)
Step forward into a walking stance (with your right foot forward) and execute a down palm block with your right hand
Step forward with your left foot into a horse-riding stance and throw an elbow strike (against an opponent on your left – looks almost like an elbow “poke”) with left fist enclosed by your right hand
Move your right foot next to your left so your feet are together and raise both hands above your head with palms open. Bring both hands down in a circular motion with your left fist striking your open right palm at the bottom of this circle. This is a slow technique and should take about 5 seconds (count to 5 in your head)
Turn 180 degrees to the left into a front stance (with left leg forward) and execute a knife hand strike (palm down) with your left hand and then a low knife hand block with the same hand
Step forward with your right foot into a front stance and execute a knife hand strike (palm up) with your right hand and then a low knife hand block with the same hand
Step forward with your left foot into a front stance and execute a knife hand strike (palm up) with your left hand and then a low knife hand block with the same hand
Step forward with your right foot into front stance and execute an arc hand strike to your imaginary opponent’s neck with your right hand and yell “Kihap”
After the Master says “Bah Ro”, you should return by turning to the left 180 degrees and move back into the Ready stance (Joon Bi)
From the ready stance (Joon Bi) with your hands by your belt, you open your hands (with the hands facing each other, finger tip to finger tip and palms up) and slowly move them towards your head
When you reach chest level, you should flip them over (slowly) so they rise to form a triangle in front of your face
Once in front of your face, you push the “triangle” out directly away from your face
At the same time, you should slowly rise up on your toes when you start moving your hands and then sink back down to “flat” feet (flat on the ground) when you push the triangle out.
2. Keumgang
Meaning: Diamond
Philosophical Meaning: Keumgang, meaning diamond, is symbolized by hardness. Mount Keumgang, which is regarded as the center of the national spirit and the origin of Keumgang Yoksa (warrior named by Buddha) who represents the mightiest warrior, is the spiritual foundation of this form. the line of movements symbolizes the Chinese character for mountain. The movements of the poomse should be performed powerfully and with good balance to demonstrate the dignity of the Keumgang spirit. For the 2nd dan.
Slide left foot into parallel stance, slow double low block
Step forward with left foot, turn to right 180 degrees, horse stance, mountain block
Turn right 180 degrees, lift right leg to form crane stance, diamond block
Step forward with right foot, horse stance, left hook punch and right back elbow strike at same time
Step forward and spin 360 degrees, horse stance, left hook punch and right back elbow strike at same time
Lift right leg to form crane stance, diamond block
Step forward with right foot, horse stance, left hook punch and right back elbow strike at same time
Step forward and spin 360 degrees, horse stance, left hook punch and right back elbow strike at same time
Step 90 degrees to left into horse stance, mountain block, yell “Kihap”
Step forward turning 180 degrees to left into horse stance, double forearm block
Slide right foot into parallel stance, slow double low block
Step forward turning 180 degrees to left into horse stance, mountain block
Turn 90 degrees, lift left leg to form crane stance, diamond block
Turn 90 degrees, left foot down into horse stance, right hook punch and left back elbow strike at same time
Step forward and spin 360 degrees, horse stance, right hook punch and left back elbow strike at same time
Return to ready stance
3. Taebaek
Meaning: Bright Mountain
Philosophical Meaning: Taebaek (bright mountain) is the name given to Mt. Paektu, the mountain from which Tangun, the founder of the Korean people, ruled the country. Taebaek symbolizes the sacred and humanitarian ruling spirit of Tangun. The line of movements symbolizes the Chinese character for a word meaning the bridge between heaven and Earth. For the 3rd Dan.
4. Pyongwon
Meaning: A Plain (Vast Stretched-out Land)
Philosophical Meaning: Pyongwon means a plain that is a vast stretched-out land. It is the source of life for all the creatures and the field where human beings live their life. The poomsae Pyongwon was based on the idea of peace and struggle resulting from the principles of origin and use. For the 4th Dan.
5. Sipjin
Meaning: Longevity
Philosophical Meaning: Derived from the thought of 10 longevity, which advocates there are ten creatures of long life, namely, sun, moon, mountain, water, stone, pine-tree, herb of eternal youth, tortoise, deer, and crane. They are 2 heavenly bodies, 3 natural resources, 2 plants and 3 animals, all giving human beings faith, hope and love. For the 5th Dan.
6. Jitae
Meaning: Human Being’s Struggle for Existence
Philosophical Meaning: The “word “Jitae” means a man/woman standing on the ground with two feet, looking over the sky. A man/woman on the earth represents the way of struggling for human life, such as kicking, trading and jumping on the ground. Therefore, the poomsae symbolizes various aspects occurring in the course of human being’s struggle for existence”. For the 6th Dan.
7. Cheonkwon or Chonkwon
Meaning: Heaven’s Great Mighty
Philosophical Meaning: Heaven’s Great Mighty, which is the origin of all the creature and itself the cosmos. Its infinite competence signifies the creation, change and completion. Human beings have used the name of Heaven for all principal earthly shapes and meanings because they felt afraid of the Heaven’s mighty. Over 4,000 years ago, the founder of the Korean people, “Hwanin” meant the heavenly King. He settled down in the “heavenly” town as the capital near the heavenly sea and heavenly mountain, where the Han people as the heavenly race gave birth to the proper through and action from which Taekwondo was originated. For the 7th Dan.
8. Hansu or Hansoo
Meaning: Water – The Source of Sustenance and Growth for all Life
Philosophical Meaning: Hansu symbolizes birth of a life and growth, strength & weakness, magnanimity & harmony, and adaptability. Especially, “han” has the various meanings, namely, the name of a country, numerousness, largeness, evenness, length and even the heaven and the root of evening, among others. For the 8th Dan.
9. Ilyeo
Meaning: Harmonization of Mind [Spirit] and Body [Material]
Philosophical Meaning: The thought of a great Buddhist priest of Silla Dynasty, Saint Wonhyo, which is characterized by the philosophy of oneness of mind [spirit] and body [material]. It teaches that a point, a line or a circle ends up all in one. Therefore, the poomsae Ilyeo represents the harmonization of spirit and body, which is the essence of martial art, after a long training of various types of techniques and spiritual cultivation for completion of Taekwondo practice”. For the 9th Dan.
