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Traditional Forms (Patterns) Requirement

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Pre-Blackbelt Forms Requirement
Philosophy of the Forms
Blackbelt Forms Requirement
Philosophy of the Blackbelt Forms

PRE-BLACKBELT FORMS (POOMSAE) REQUIREMENT

White belt Kicho il-Bo (Basic Form #1)

White-stripe belt Kicho i-Bo (Basic Form #2)

Yellow belt Kicho Sam-Bo (Basic Form #3)

Yellow-stripe belt Pal-Gwe 1 (il-Chang)

Green belt Pal-Gwe 2 (I-Chang)

Green-stripe belt Pal-Gwe 3 (Sam-Chang)

Purple belt Pal-Gwe 4 (Sa-Chang)

Purple-stripe belt Pal-Gwe 5 (O-Chang)

Blue belt Pal-Gwe 6 (Yuk-Chang)

Blue-stripe belt Pal-Gwe 7 (Chil-Chang)

Red belt Pin-an Sa-Dan

Red-stripe belt Pal-Gwe 8 (Pal-Chang)

Brown belt Pin-an O-Dan

Brown-stripe belt Tae-Geuk 8 (Pal-Chang)

Pal-Gwe means "Law, Command," and as the Tae Kwon Do practitioner executes the Pal-Gwe Forms, he is obliged to bear in mind the reciprocal commands they represent, which may be translated as follows:

1. Know yourself, and be in harmony with the universe.
2. Be responsible for yourself, and loyal to your committments.
3. Be respectful of your relationships, know the limits beyond which your freedom encroaches upon the freedom of another.
4. Be pure in motive, and direct in action.

BLACK BELT FORMS (POOMSAE) REQUIREMENT

1st Dan/Poom Ko-ryo (Korea), Basai

2nd Dan/Poom Keum-Gang (Diamond), Tae-Geuk 1-8

3rd Dan/Poom Taebaek (Mountain)

4th Dan/Poom Pyongwon (Plain)

5th Dan Sipjin (Decimal)

6th Dan Jitae (Earth)

7th Dan Cheonkwon (Sky)

8th Dan Hansoo (Water)

9th Dan ilyo (Oneness)

Note: The following points should be observed in the performance of all formal exercises:

1. Execute each position cleanly and completely, before going on the the next: do not run any two positions together.
2. Breathe regularly throughout the form, using the diaphragm rather than the chest, and exhale simultaneously with the last action in each position.
3. Keep your fist tight and your body relaxed. Throughout the forms, your body ahould be relaxed, except at the instant you complete each block, punch, strike, and kick, your whole body should be locked into tense focus on that action.
4. While standing at Attention, before beginning the form, take a deep breath, using the diaphragm, not the chest, and concentrate on what you are about to do.

PHILOSOPHY OF THE BLACK BELT POOMSAE

Poomse Koryo

Poomse Koryo symbolizes seonbae which means a learned man, who is characterized by a strong martial spirit as well as a righteous spirit. The joonbi-sogi (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 or a man of virtue in Korean.
For the 1st Dan.

Poomse Keumgang

Keumgang, meaning diamond, is symbolized by hardness. Mount Keumgang, which is regarded as the center of the national spirit and 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.

Poomse Taebaek

Taebaek (bright mountain) is the name given to the Mt. Paektu, the mountain from which Tangun, the founder of the Korean people, ruled the country. Taekaek 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.

Poomse Pyongwon

Pyongwon means a plain or a vast field of land. It is the source of life for all creatures and place from which all creatures gain sustenance. Pyongwon is based on the idea of peace and struggle resulted from the principles of origin and use. The Joon-bi sogi requires a concentration of force in the lower abdomen, the source of all strength, much like the land is the source of strength for all life. The line of movements symbolizes the origin and its transformation of the plain.
For the 4th Dan.

Poomse Sipjin

The word sipjin is derived from the principle of longevity which maintains there are ten creatures of long life: sun, moon, mountain, water, stone, pine tree, herb of eternal youth, turtle, deer and crane. This poomse symbolizes the longevity humans derive from these everlasting elements of nature. The line of movements is the Chinese character for ten, symbolizing the ten creatures of long life and the infinity of the decimal system.
For the 5th Dan.

Poomse Jitae

Jitae means a man standing on the Earth looking at the sky. A man on the Earth represents the struggle of humanity. The line of movement syumbolizes a man standing on the Earth preparing to spring up toward the heavens.
For the 6th Dan.

Poomse Cheon Kwon

Cheon Kwon means Heavens Greatness or the origin of all being. Its infinite nature signifies change, creation and completion. The movements are characterized by the circular arm movements, symbolizing the greatness and inclusiveness of the Cheon Kwon concept. The line of movements symbolizes a man descending to Earth from the heavens, being empowered by the heavens and attaining oneness between the Earthly world (body) and the heavenly world (mind).
For the 7th Dan.

Poomse Han Soo

Han Soo means water which is the source of sustenance and growth for all life. Han Soo symbolizes the birth of a life, growth, strength, weakness, harmony, magnanimity, and adaptability through life. The nature of water characterized by unbreakability and flexibility, is the basis for this poomse. The line of movements symbolizes the Chinese character for water.
For the 8th Dan.

Poomse ilyeo

Ilyeo symbolizes the thoughts of the great monk Wonhyo of the Silla Dynasty. It teaches that a point, a line or a circle ends up at one. Poomse Ilyeo represents the harmonization of body and spirit, which is the culmination of martial arts practice. The line of movements symbolizes the Buddhist monk which means a state of perfect selflessness where origin, substance and service come into congruity.
For the 9th Dan.

From BLACK BELT POOMSE VOL. 1 Video, By Sang H. Kim

Philosophy of the Forms