The traditional martial art of Taekwondo was developed in Korea and is today
practiced throughout the world. Literally, Taekwondo means 'the art or method of
kicking and punching with the feet and hands', although this translation only
gives an indication of the physical aspects of the art. Through training practioners
aim to improve their whole way of life and better themselves physically,
mentally and spiritually.
Anyone who takes up Taekwondo will very quickly notice an improvement in
their life. The learning process is a continuous one and each training session
brings new knowledge of the self and the art. Although it can be practiced
purely as a sport with the focus on body conditioning, it is conditioning
of the mind which leads to effective martial arts.
The tenets of Taekwondo are:
- Courtesy
- Integrity
- Perseverance
- Self Control
- Indomitable Spirit
Observation of these tenets teaches us respect, responsibility, a high
sense of morality and humility, leading to a balanced and meaningful way
of life.
| TAEKWONDO RANKING SYSTEM |
| Rank | Belt Order |
|---|
| 10th Kup | White Belt |
| 9th Kup | White/Yellow Stripe |
| 8th Kup | Yellow Belt |
| 7th Kup | Yellow/Green Stripe |
| 6th Kup | Green Belt |
| 5th Kup | Green/Blue Stripe |
| 4th Kup | Blue Belt |
| 3th Kup | Blue/Red Stripe |
| 2th Kup | Red Belt |
| 1th Kup | Red/Black Stripe |
| 1st Degree (Dan) | Black |
| 2nd Degree (Dan) | Black |
| 3rd Degree (Dan) | Black |
| 4th Degree (Dan) | Black |
| 5th Degree (Dan) | Black |
| 6th Degree (Dan) | Black |
| TAEKWONDO POOMSAE |
| Poomsae | Description |
| Il Jang |
Taegeuk 1 Jang represents the symbol of "Keon", one of the 8 Kwaes (divination signs), which means the "heaven and yang".
As the "Keon" symbolizes the beginning of the creation of all thing in the universe, do does the Taegeuk 1 Jang in the
training of Taekwondo. This poomsae is characterized by its easiness in practicing, largely consisting of walking and
basic actions, such as arae-makki (lower block), momtong-makki (middle block), momtong-jireugi (middle punch), and ap-chagi
(front snap kick). The 8th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
|
| E Jang |
Taegeuk 2 Jang symbolizes the "Tae", one of the 8 divination signs, which signifies the inner firmness and the outer
softness. An introduction of the olgul-makki (high block) is a new development of Taegeuk poomsae. The ap-chagi (front snap
kick) actions appear more frequently than in Taegeuk 1 Jang. The 7th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
|
| Sam Jang |
Taegeuk 3 Jang symbolizes the "Ra", one of the 8 divination signs, which represent "hot and bright". This is to encourage
the trainees to harbor a sense of justice and ardor for training. A successful accomplishment of this poomsae will give
the trainees a promotion to a blue belt. New actions are sonnal-mok-chigi (knife hand strike) and sonnal-makki (knife hand
block) and dwit-kubi stance. This poomsae is characterized by successive makki (block) and chigi (kick), and continued jireugis (punch).
Emphasis is laid on the counterattacks against the opponent's chigi (kick). The 6th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
|
| Sar Jang |
Taegeuk 4 Jang symbolizes the "Jin", one of the 8 divination signs, which represent the thunder meaning great power and
dignity. New techniques are sonnal-momtong-makki (knife hand guarding block), pyon-son-kkeut-jireugi (flat hand attack
or spear finger), jebipoom-mok-chigi (knife hand strike with open face block), yop-chagi (side kick), momtong-bakkat-makki
(middle outside block), deung-jumeok-olgul-apchigi (front backfist strike) and mikkeurombal (slipping foot) techniques.
Various movements in preparation for the kyorugi (sparring) and lot of dwit-kubi (L-shaped stance) cases characterize it.
The 5th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
|
| O Jang |
Taegeuk 5 Jang symbolizes the "Son", one of the 8 divination signs, which represent the wind, meaning both mighty force
and calmness according to its strength and weakness. New movements are me-jumeok-maeryo-chigi (hammer fist),
palkup-dollyo-chigi (hand to elbow turning hitting), yop-chagi (side kick) & yop-jireugi (side punch),
palkup-pyo-jeok-chigi (elbow target hitting) and such stances as kkoa-seogi (forward cross stance), wen-seogi (left hand stance)
and oreun-seogi (right hand stance). This is characterized by the successive makkis such as area-makki (low block) and momtong-makki
(middle block) and also the chigi (kick). The 4th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
|
| Yuk Jang |
Taegeuk 6 Jang symbolizes the "Kam", one of the 8 divination signs, which represents water, meaning incessant flow and
softness. New movements are han-sonnal-olgul-bakkat-makki (hand edge block from the outside inward), dollyo-chagi (turning kick),
olgul-bakkat-makki (upper middle block) and batang-son-momtong-makki (open palm block) in addition to pyonhi-seogi (at-ease stance).
One should be careful to make the kicking foot land on the ground correctly after dyollyo-chagi (turning kick) and to lower the hand
by a palm's length at the time of delivering a batang-son momtong-makki lower than in the palmok-makki (upper block). This is practiced
by the 3rd Kup-graders.
|
| Chil Jang |
Taegeuk 7 Jang symbolizes the "Kan", one of the 8 divination signs, which represents the mountain, meaning ponder and firmness.
New movements are sonnal-arae-makkki (hand edge block, from the inside outward), batangson-kodureo-makki (hand assisted block),
bo-jumeok-kawi-makki (covered fist block), mureup-chigi (knee strike), momtong-hecho-makki (middle trunk push block),
jechin-du-jumeok-momtong-jireugi (cross fist middle punch), otkoreo-arae-makki (hand blade cross underneath blocking),
pyojeok-chigi (target strike), yop-jireugi (side punch) and such stances as beom-seogi (horse riding stance) and juchum-seogi
(riding stance). Smooth connection of movements is important for training. The 2nd Kup-graders practice this poomsae.
|
| Pal Jang |
Taegeuk 8 Jang symbolizes the "Kon", one of the 8 divination signs, which represents "Yin" and earth, meaning the root and settlement
and also the beginning and the end. This is the last of the 8 Taegeuk poomsaes, which may enable the trainees to undergo the Dan
(black belt) promotion test. New movements are dubal-dangsong-bakkat-palmok-momtong-kodureo-bakkat-makki (double middle assisted outer block),
twio-chagi (jumping kick), and palkup-dollyo-chigi (elbow turning strike). Emphasis must be laid on the accuracy of stepping and the difference
between jumping-over kick and dubal-dangsong (alternate jumping kick in the air). The 1st Kup-graders practice this poomsae.
|
You can visit the University of Massachusetts Taekwondo page for a good walk-through of the poomsae, or download videos of them here.
| TAEKWONDO RANKING SYSTEM |
| Poom/Dan | Training Period | Age limit for promotion |
| 1st Poom | | Below 15 |
| 2nd Poom | 1 Year | Below 15 |
| 3rd Poom | 2 Years | Below 15 |
| 1st Dan | | Age 15 and above |
| 2nd Dan | 1 Year | Age 16 and above |
| 3rd Dan | 2 Years | Age 16 and above |
| 4th Dan | 3 Years | Age 21 and above |
| 5th Dan | 4 Years | Age 25 and above |
| 6th Dan | 5 Years | Age 30 and above |
| 7th Dan | 6 Years | Age 36 and above |
| 8th Dan | 7 Years | Age 47 and above |
| 9th Dan | 8 Years | Age 55 and above |
| 10th Dan | | Age 60 and above |
It is worth noting that the translation of Korean to English is more an art than a science, as it requires "romanisation" - the process
of translating a symbol phonetically into the english alphabet. This is why you will find so many variations of these words.
Some good-to-know Basic Taekwondo Words:
Cha-ryeot : Attention
Shi-o : Easy
Kyeong-rye : Bow
Joon-bi : Ready
Shi-jak : Start
Keu-man : Stop
Ba-ra : Finish
Chung : Ref
Hong : Blue
Dwi-ro dorah : Turn Around
Pa qua : Switch Stance
Makki : Block
Chagi : Kick
Jireugi : Punch
Chigi : Strike
Seogi : Stance
Bondal : Crescent
Kama : Hook
Arae : Down / Low
Momtong : Middle
Olgul or Palmok: Upper
Ap : Front
Yop : Side
Dwi : Back
Twio : Jump
Bakkat : Outside / Outer
Yop : Side
Bal : Foot
Mureup : Knee
Son : Hand
Jumeok : Fist
Counting
Hanah : 1
Dool : 2
Set : 3
Net : 4
Dasot : 5
Yasot : 6
Ilgop : 7
Yadol : 8
Ahoop : 9
Yol : 10
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