Taekwondo Poomse Forms

By Mark Beagle - Posted on June 25, 2008

Most Kukkiwon schools will use the Poomse Taegeuk whereas a few schools will use the Poomse Palgwe. Very few teach both. In my opinion you produce a much more well rounded student if they know both. Palgwe Poomse were used from 1967 to 1971. Taegeuk Poomse have been in use from 1971 to the present time. Kukkiwon states that Palgwe Poomse have been eliminated. The official forms for Kukki-Taekwondo, as mandated by the Kukkiwon (World Taekwondo Headquarters), are the Taegeuk Poomse.

Taekwondo rank structure is built in what are called Geup, or Gup. There are 10 Gups 10 being the beginning or White-Belt and the 1st Gup Red with Black stripe. There are 10 Gups and only 8 forms, that's because the first two white belts are for learning Taekwondo basics. The white belts learn basic forms Ki Cho Ill Boo; Ki Cho Ee Boo; and Ki Cho Sam Boo.

Belts under Black Belt are referred to as "Colored-Belts". Once at Black Belt there are degrees or Dan’s. First degree Black Belt is a first Dan, etc.

Taegeuk Sa Jang/Palgwe Sa Jang

There are 20 movements in this form.
This trigram represents Thunder.
Also, the trigram is strongly connected to northeast and the relationship of the Eldest son. Thunder comes from the sky and is absorbed by the earth, thus, according to the beliefs of the I Ching, thunder is one of the most powerful natural forces. This Poomse is associated with power and the connection between the heavens and earth. This Poomse is intended to be performed with power resembling the Thunder for which it is named.

Taegeuk O Jang/Palgwe O Jang

There are 20 movements in this form.
The trigram associated with this Poomse represents Wind.
The trigram is also related to southwest and the relationship with an eldest daughter. The I Ching promotes that wind is a gentle force, but can sometimes be furious, destroying everything in its path. As such, it is intended that this Poomse is performed like the wind: gently, but knowing the ability of mass destruction with a single movement. The performer and audience should be aware of the duality of the form.

Taegeuk Yook Jang/Palgwe Yook Jang

There are 23 movements in this form.
The trigram associated with this Poomse represents Water.
Also, there is a relation to West and the relationship with a Second son. The movements of this Poomse are intended to be performed like water; flowing, powerful and cleansing. Sometimes standing still like water in a lake, sometimes thriving as a river, sometimes powerful like a waterfall. The water is to symbolize calm and cleansing, while also possessing the attribute of being violent and destructive.

Taegeuk Chil Jang/Palgwe Chil Jang

There are 25 movements in this form.
The trigram associated with this Poomse represents a Mountain.
Also, it represents the northwest and youngest son. The symbolism behind the mountain is the indomitable and majestic nature that all mountains possess. This Poomse is intended to be performed with the feeling that all movements are this majestic due to their unconquerable nature.

Taegeuk Pal Jang/Palgwe Pal Jang

There are 24 movements in this form.
The trigram associated with this Poomse represents the Earth.
Also, there is a representation of North and Mother. The associated trigram of this Poomse is Yin. Yin, here, represents the end of the beginning, the evil part of all that is good. This being the last of the Poomse Taegeuk, it represents the end of the circle and the cyclic nature of the Earth.

Taegeuk Il Jang/Palgwe Il Jang

There are 18 movements in this form.
The general meaning of this form and associated trigram is Yang, which represents Heaven and Light.
Also, this trigram has a relationship to South and Father. The first Taegeuk form is the beginning of all Poomses, the "birth" of the martial artist into Taekwondo. This Poomse should be performed with the greatness of Heaven.

Taegeuk Yi Jang/Palgwe Yi Jang

There are 18 movements in this form.
The associated trigram of this Poomse represents the Joyfulness
Also, related to the symbol is South East and the relationship of the youngest daughter. The movements of this Taegeuk/Palgwe are aimed to be performed believing that man has limitations, but that we can overcome these limitations. The Lake and its water symbolize the flowing and calm nature of the martial artist. This form is to reflect those attributes.

Taegeuk Sam Jang/Palgwe Sam Jang

This trigram represents Fire.
Related to this symbol is also East and the relationship of the Second Daughter. Fire contains a lot of energy. The symbol behind the fire is similar to the symbolism of the water in that both can aid and both can destroy. This form is intended to be performed rhythmically, with some outbursts of energy to reflect fire's rhythmic and energetic dualism.

Koryo
Koryo, or Goryeo, is the name of an old Korean Dynasty. The people from the Goryeo defeated the Mongolian aggressors. It is intended that their spirit is reflected in the movements of the Poomse Koryo. Each movement of this Poomse represents the strength and energy needed to control the Mongols.

Keumgang
Keumgang means "diamond," symbolizing hardness. Keumgang is also the name of the most beautiful mountain in Korea, as well as the Keumgang warrior, named by Buddha. Thus, the themes of hardness, beauty, and pondering permeate this Poomse.

Taebaek
The legendary Dangun founded a nation in Taebaek, near Korea's biggest mountain Baekdoo. Baekdoo is a known symbol for Korea. The definition of the word taebaek is literally "lightness". Every movement in this Poomse is intended to be not only be exact and fast, but with determination and hardness resembling the mountain Baekdoo, the origin of the nation of Korea.

Pyongwon
The definition of Pyongwon is "stretch, vast plain." The name carries with it a connotation of being large and majestic.

Sipjin
Sipjin stands for ten symbols of longevity, which are Sun, Moon, Mountain, Water, Stone, Pine tree, Herb of eternal youth, Turtle, Deer, and Crane. This Poomse represents the endless development and growth by the basic idea of the ten symbols of longevity and the decimal system.

Jitae
This Poomse is derived from the meaning of the earth. All things evolve from and return to the earth, the earth is the beginning and the end of life, as reelected through the Yin and Yang.

Cheonkwon
Cheonkwon literally means 'sky'. In the Poomse, the sky symbolizes the ruler of the universe. According to belief, it is mysterious, infinite and profound. The motions of Cheonkwon are full of piety, vitality and reverence.

Hansoo
This Poomse is derived from the fluidity of water which easily adapts within nature. The symbol of the water repeats itself many times throughout all Poomse, hyeongs, and in martial arts in general.

Ilyo
The state of spiritual cultivation in Buddhism is called 'Ilyo' which means 'oneness'. In Ilyo, body and mind, spirit and substance, "I" and "you" are unified. The ultimate ideal of the martial art and Poomse can be found in this state. It is a discipline in which every movement is concentrated on leaving all materialistics thoughts, obsessions and external influences behind.

Martial Arts Styles

____________________

Taekwondo Poomse Forms