My Pledge
1. To train both mind and body through Taekwon-Do.
2. To be a courageous opponent of untruth.
3. To build friendly relations amongst all people.
4. To obey all rules of our school, Taekwon-Do, and our instructor.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do
1. Courtesy
2. Integrity
3. Perseverence
4. Self-control
5. Indomitable spirit
Student Oath
1. I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do.
2. I shall respect my instructors and seniors.
3. I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.
4. I shall become a champion of freedom and justice.
5. I shall build a more peaceful world.
Why do we kiap?
1. Confuses the opponent
2. Startles the opponent
3. Makes your opponent aware of your power and spirit
4. Stimulates the spirit
5. Focuses your resources on a single point
6. It declares one’s victory
Try any technique on a target. For the first one, take a breath and hold it. Then execute your technique. Next use the same technique, but this time do a kiap at the time of the technique. You will definitely feel and see the difference.
The meanings of the belts
What does white belt signify?
White signifies innocence as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
The beginner, who is pure in mind and knows nothing.
What does yellow belt signify?
Yellow signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundations of Taekwon-Do are being laid.
Represents gold ore and one must work and dig to achieve.
What does green belt signify?
Green signifies the plant’s growth as the Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.
Represents the green of the tree, and like the tree, the student is growing and wants to grow to great heights.
What does blue belt signify?
Blue signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
Represents the blue of the sky, which is higher than any tree and a desirable height of achievement to attain.
What does red belt signify?
Red signifies danger warning student to exercise control and warning opponents to stay away.
The color of the sun, highest of all, which is looked up to by everyone for growth, life, and warmth.
What does black belt signify?
Black is the opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency. It also indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear.
A combination of all the colors in the universe, representing that the wearer has learned all, is the master.
Why we say Tae Kwon?
Summarized from the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) Protocol , Rules & Regulations (Pages 1-17 in force of April 3rd, 2016)
--When bowing to a person (not to an inanimate object such as the ITF flag), say “Taekwon”. Juniors should initiate the tilt.
--Say “Tae Kwon” It is essential that all individual members of the ITF understand the meaning of “Taekwon” and when it is appropriate to say it. General Choi explained why we say “Taekwon” when we bow, rather than “Taekwon-Do”: “Taekwon” (foot and hand) represents the physical side of our martial art; so saying “Taekwon” indicates that the person is present physically.
--There is no need to pronounce the word “Do” because when he/she is bowing the person’s physical posture and respectful attitude are a visible demonstration of the Do. It is important to say “Taekwon” only when bowing to a living person. Thus, when bowing to his Senior, a Junior says “Taekwon”. Never say “Taekwon” when bowing to any inanimate objects (the Dojang, the ITF flag, the photograph of our Founder, etc.).
All students should know how to tie their belt.
Please click the link above.
The single wrap Taekwon-Do belt goes once around the waist.
One (as in once around the waist) symbolizes:
1. Pursue one goal once it has been determined
2. Serve one master with unshakable loyalty
3. Gain a victory in one blow
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
DAN-GUN is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year of 2333 B.C.
Movements-21
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.
Movements-24
WON-HYO was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year of 686 A.D.
Movements-28
YUL-GOK is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38o latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.
Movements-38
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 Korea- Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr. Ahn’s age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison (1910).
Movements-32
TOI-GYE is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century), an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37o latitude, the diagram represents “scholar”.
Movements-37
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.
Movements-29
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 armoured 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.
Movements-30
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.
Movements-39
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 unerring loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
Movements-36
GE-BAEK is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 A.D.). The diagram ( | ) represents his severe and strict military discipline.
Movements-44
Patterns (Tul)
Patterns (Tul) are the heart of ITF Taekwon-Do. All ITF Taekwon-Do practitioners demonstrate the 24 Chang Hon patterns the same way. Chang Hon is the pen name of General Choi.
What is the purpose of a pattern?
Patterns are practiced in order for students to train the fundamental movements of their body. Patterns are the foundation of Taekwon-Do and enable the student to develop various techniques like improved mobility and flexibility, improved body shifting, increased muscle tone, enhanced breath control and improved sparring techniques with the blocks, strikes and counters learned. Although free sparring is random and non choreographed and exercised at a much faster pace than patterns, patterns are critical to developing the necessary skills that a Taekwon-Do student needs in order to master sparring with their movements, balance, flexibility and ability to determine which block and counter is appropriate.
Reason for 24 Patterns
There are a total of twenty four patterns in ITF Taekwon-Do.
While ITF Patterns, assembled by the Founder General Choi Hong Hi, are but one of the many components which make up the composition of Taekwon-Do, so many of the technical aspects are contained within them, which makes them of paramount importance in ITF Taekwondo training.
There are 24 patterns in the official ITF “Chang Hon” syllabus, which represents the 24 hours in a day. The names of these patterns refer to events or important people in Korean history. Features of the patterns may also have historical references, such as the number of moves, the diagram, the way the pattern ends etc.
Per General Choi from the Encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do:
The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared with eternity. Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travelers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day. It is evident that no one can live more than a limited amount of time. Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years. And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations, in this way, gaining immortality. Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while material is not. Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives. Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of man of the late 20th century. The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.
There are also 2 fundamental exercises, named Saju-Jirugi (Four Direction Punch and Saju-Makgi (Four Direction Block). Saju-Jirugi and Saju-Makgi are basic defence exercises taught to beginners of the Taekwon-Do.
Essential Information about Patterns
The following points should be considered while performing patterns:
1. Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will indicate the performer's accuracy.
2. Correct posture and facing must be maintained at all times.
3. Muscles of the body should be either tensed or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
4. The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement with an absence of stiffness.
5. Movement should be accelerated or decelerated at the appropriate times.
6. Each pattern should be perfected before moving to the next .
7. Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8. Students should perform each movement with realism.
9. Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among right and left hands and feet.
Most patterns start at the intersection of lines A, B, C, and D. When we are facing front, we are facing D. C is behind us.
Curriculum (ITF-USA) - coming soon
Curriculum (Mightyfist)
There are five tenets of Taekwon-Do. A tenet is a ‘core belief’ or value in Taekwon-Do. The tenets of TaeKwon-Do deal with the fundamental elements of etiquette. They should serve as a guide for all students of the art.
Taekwon-Do aims to achieve:
Tenets of Taekwon-Do #1: Courtesy
Courtesy refers to showing courtesy to all others in the dojang (training area or school) as well as people you may meet outside of formal Taekwon-Do training. Included in this tenet is observing correct etiquette and manners at all times. Your behavior and attitude must include proper courtesy at all times.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do #2: Integrity
Integrity includes not only the general definition of integrity where one is not only able to determine the difference between right and wrong but also being able to stand up for what is ethically correct. Being honest and having strong moral principles is paramount and working hard to be beyond corruption are important aspects of the tenet of integrity.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do #3: Perseverance
Perseverance simply refers to the willingness of the Taekwon-Do student to continue to strive even though there may be obstacles that appear to keep you from your goal. Through persistence one can reach their goal. This applies to their Taekwon-Do training as well as other aspects of their lives.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do #4: Self Control
Self control means to have control over your thoughts as well as your actions. Maintaining a pure mind as well as a pure body by keeping your emotions in check, particularly in difficult or trying circumstances.
Tenets of Taekwon-Do #5: Indomitable Spirit
Indomitable spirit, is difficult to define but generally refers to having the courage to stand up for your beliefs and to stay strong in those beliefs and convictions no matter what the odds against you may be. It also refers to consistently exhibiting a full 100% effort in all that you do inside the dojang (training area) and in life.
The 5 tenets of Taekwon-Do are a guide for a student’s behavior inside the dojang but are meant to extend outside the gym and into real life. It is through these tenets that one’s character is built up with the practice of Taekwon-Do and the repetition and memorization is important for young students as they begin their training. It is important for each student of Taekwon-Do to take some time to think about applying the 5 tenets to their daily lives in how they act and interact with others in all situations.
