Grading Terminology
INTRODUCTION
In each grading test the examiner will test your knowledge of Taekwon-Do including the history and Korean terminology. If you try to learn a few words each grading then your knowledge will build up fast. Scroll down to find your grade and pattern meaning. Don’t stress about the pronunciation just try your best to learn as much as you can.
THE TENETS OF TAEKWON-DO
Courtesy (Ye Ui)
Integrity (Yom Chi)
Perseverance (In Nae)
Self Control (Guk Gi)
Indomitable Spirit (Beakjul Boolgool)
THE TAEKWON-DO OATH
I shall observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do
I shall respect my instructor and seniors
I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do
I shall be a champion of freedom and justice
I shall build a more peaceful world
CLASS ETIQUETTE
You should bow on entering and leaving the training hall (dojang) to:
The National, Federation or Association flag if it is displayed,
And you should also bow to the instructor if they are in the dojang,
If there are no flags or no instructor in the dojang, then there is no need to bow.
BELT MEANINGS
10th Kup White Belt
White signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
9th Kup Yellow Tag / 8th Kup Yellow Belt
Yellow signifies earth, from which a plant sprouts and takes root as Taekwon-Do foundations are being laid.
7th Kup Green Tag / 6th Kup Green Belt
Green signifies the plants growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.
5th Kup Blue Tag / 4th Kup Blue Belt
Blue signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
3rd Kup Red Tag / 2nd Kup Red Belt
Red signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control, and warning the opponent to stay away.
1st Kup Black Tag / Black Belt
Opposite to white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. Also indicates the wearers imperviousness to darkness and fear.
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY / MEANING OF PATTERN
WHITE BELTS KOREAN
Taekwon-Do comes from Korea.
It was founded by General Choi Hong Hi on the 11th April 1955
Tae means smashing with the foot, Kwon means smashing with the hand and Do means the art or way. The Do balances out the aggression of Taekwon and gives us the control and discipline to use it in the right way.
Hana-Dool-Set-Net-Tasot-Yosot-Ilgop-Yodol-Ahop-Yol – 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10
Stance – Sogi
Training Suit – Dobok Block – Makgi
Training Hall – Dojang Kick – Chagi
Belt – Ti Punch – Jirugi
Student – Jeja Attention – Charyot
Instructor – Sabum Bow – Kyong Ye
Ready – Junbi Dismiss – Hae San
As we bow we say ‘Taekwon’
When we respond to a command in class or turn in row work we shout ‘Ki Ap’ to show spirit.
Kick – Front Kick (Ap Chagi) using the ball of the foot (Apkumchi)
CHON-JI
Chon-Ji means literally ‘Heaven and 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.
Number of movements – 19
Meaning of white belt (10th KUP) – White belt signifies innocence as that of a beginner student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do
Meaning of Yellow Belt (8th KUP) – Signifies Earth, in which a plant takes root and sprouts as Taekwon-Do foundations are laid.
Chon-Ji is the first of the 24 patterns (TUL) in Taekwon-Do.
HISTORY
The name Taekwon-Do was introduced on the 11th April 1955 by the founder General Choi Hong Hi (9th Degree Grandmaster)
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
Parallel Ready Stance – Narani Junbi Sogi
Walking Stance – Gunnun Sogi
L Stance – Niunja Sogi
Forefist Punch – Ap Joomuk Jirugi
Low Section Forearm Block – Najunde Palmok Makgi
Kick – Side Kick (Yop Chagi) using the footsword (balkal)
DAN-GUN
Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year of 2.333 B.C.
Number of movements – 21
Meaning of Yellow Belt (8th KUP) – Signifies Earth, in which a plant takes root and sprouts as Taekwon-Do foundations are laid.
HISTORY
The founder members of Taekwon-Do UK are Mr J. Archer, Mr I. Ridley, Mr J. Miley & Mr D. Condie.
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
Knifehand Guarding Block – Sonkal Daebi Makgi
High – Nopunde
Twin Forearm Block – Sang Palmok Makgi
Rising Block – Chookyo Makgi
Knifehand Strike – Sonkal Taerigi
Kick – Turning Kick (Dollyo Chagi) using the ball of the foot (Apkumchi) and Back Kick (Dwit Chagi) using the footsword (balkal)
DO-SAN
Do-San is the pseudonym or 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
Number of movements – 24
Green Tag (7th KUP)
Meaning of Green Belt (6th KUP) – Green Belt signifies the plants growth as the Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.
HISTORY
The founder of the Trident Taekwon-Do Academy is Mr James Miley (5th Degree Black Belt)
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
High Outer Forearm Block – Nopunde Bakat Palmok Makgi
Reverse Forefist Punch – Bandae Ap Joomuk Jirugi
Straight Fingertip Thrust – Sun Sonkut Tulgi
Back Fist Strike – Dung Joomuk Taerigi
Wedging Block – Hechyo Makgi
Middle Front Snap Kick – Kaunde Apcha Busigi (Ap-front cha-
Kick Busigi – Snap)
Double – Doo
Sitting Stance – Annun Sogi
Kick – Turning Kick (Dollyo Chagi) using the ball of the foot (Apkumchi) followed by Reverse Turning Kick (Bandae Dollyo Chagi) using the back heel (Dwitchook)
WON-HYO
Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year of 686 A.D.
Number of movements – 28
Green Belt (6th KUP)
Meaning of Green Belt (6th KUP) – Green Belt signifies the plants growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop.
HISTORY
The president of Taekwon-Do UK is Mr J. Archer (6th Degree Black Belt).
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
High Inward Knifehand Strike – Nopunde Anuro Sonkal Taerigi
Fixed Stance – Gojung Sogi
Obverse Punch – Baro Jirugi
Bending Ready Stance – Guburyo Junbi Sogi
Side Piercing Kick – Yopcha Jirugi (Yop-side cha-kick
Jirugi-rotation)
Circular Block – Dollimyo Makgi
Kick – Double Side Kick (Doo Yop Chagi) using the footsword (balkal) and Reverse Hooking (Bandae Dollyo Gorochagi) using the back heel (Dwitchook)
YUL-GOK
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 the 38′ latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”.
Number of movements – 38
Blue Tag (5th KUP)
Meaning of Green Belt (6th KUP) – Green Belt signifies the plants growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop.
Meaning of Blue Belt (4th KUP) – Blue belt signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
HISTORY
The ITF was formed on the 22nd March 1966 with associations in Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, West Germany, USA, Turkey, Italy, Arab Republic of Egypt and Korea.
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
Hooking Block – Golcho Makgi
Connecting Motion – Ierjin Dongjak (two techniques performed in a
flowing motion with only one breath)
Elbow Strike – Palkup Taerigi
Twin Knifehand Block – Sang Sonkal Makgi
Back Fist Strike – Dung Joomuk Taerigi
‘X’ Stance – Kyocha Sogi
Double Forearm Block – Doo Palmok Makgi
Kick – Double Turning Kick (Doo Dollyo Chagi) using the ball of the foot (Apkumchi) and Hooking Kick (Golcho Chagi) using the side instep (Yop Baldung)
JOONG-GUN
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).
Number of movements – 32
Blue Belt (4th KUP)
Meaning of Blue Belt (4th KUP) – Blue Belt signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
Closed Ready Stance ‘B’ – Moa Junbi Sogi ‘B’
Reverse Knifehand Block – Sonkal Dung Makgi
Low Side Front Snap Kick – Najunde Yop Ap Cha Busigi
Rear Foot Stance – Dwit Bal Sogi
Upward Palm Block – Ollyo Sonbadak Makgi
Upper Elbow Strike – Wi Palkup Taerigi
X-Fist Rising Block – Kyocha Joomuk Chookyo Makgi
Low Stance – Nachuo Sogi
Pressing Block – Noollo Makgi
Angle Punch – Giokja Jirugi
‘U’ Shaped Block – Digutja Makgi
Kick – Flying High Front Kick (Twimyo Nopi Ap Chagi) using the ball of the foot (Apkumchi) and a slow motion front kick, both legs
TOI-GYE
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 37-degree latitude, the diagram represents scholar.
Pen name means nickname or a name that is made up.
Neo – means new or a modern version.
Confucianism means Chinese philosopher.
Number of movements – 37
Red Tag (3rd KUP)
Meaning of Red Belt (2nd KUP) – Red belt signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
Low Upset Fingertip Thrust – Najunde Dwijibun Sonkut Tulgi
Side Back Fist Strike – Yop Dung Joomuk Taerigi
X Fist Pressing Block – Kyocha Joomuk Noollo Makgi
Twin Side Elbow Thrust – Sang Yop Palkup Tulgi
W Shape block – San Makgi
Low Double Forearm Pushing
Block – Najunde Doo Palmok Miro Makgi
Upward Knee Kick – Ollyo Moorup Chagi
Flat Fingertip Thrust – Opun Sonkut Tulgi
Kick – Flying Turning Kick (Twimyo Dollyo Chagi) using the ball of the foot (Apkumchi) and slow motion front & side kick, both legs
HWA-RANG
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.
Number of movements – 29
Red Belt (2nd KUP)
Meaning of Red Belt (2nd KUP) – Red Belt signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
Closed Ready Stance C – Moa Junbi Sogi C (the hands are 10cm away
from the body)
Middle Palm Pushing Block – Kaunde Sonbadak Miro Makgi
Upward Punch – Ollyo Jirugi
Sliding – Mikulgi
Vertical Stance – Soojik Sogi (weight ratio is 60%-40%)
Downward Knifehand Strike – Naeryo Sonkal Taerigi
High Section Turning Kick – Nopunde Dollyo Chagi
Side Elbow Thrust – Yop Palkup Tulgi
Side Front Block – Yop Ap Makgi
Kick – Examiners choice of kicks from previous grades and slow motion front, side, turning and reverse turning kicks, both legs
CHOONG-MOO
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 modern 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.
Number of movements – 30
Black Tag (1st KUP)
Meaning of Red Belt (2nd KUP) – Red Belt signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
Meaning of Black Belt (1st DAN) – Black Belt is the opposite of white, signifying maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. Indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear.
KOREAN TERMINOLOGY
Flying Side Piercing Kick – Twimyo Yop Cha Jirugi
High Front Reverse Knife-hand Strike – Nopunde Ap Sonkal Dung
Taerigi
Middle Section Back Piercing Kick – Kaunde Dwit Cha Jirugi
Jumping – Twigi
Middle Inward Outer Forearm Front Block – Kaunde Anuro Bakat Palmok Ap
Makgi
X Knifehand Checking Block – Kyocha Sonkal Momchau Makgi
Twin Palm Upward Block – Sang Sonbadak Ollyo Makgi