Required Knowledge For Black Belt Test

Meaning Of White Belt:

White signifies innocence as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.

Chon-Ji Pattern Information:

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 heaven, the other the earth.

+	Diagram: "plus" sign Moves: 19

 

 

 

 

Meaning Of Yellow Belt:

Yellow signifies the earth from which the plant sprouts and takes root as in the Taekwon-Do foundation that is being laid.

Korea is the country where Taekwon-Do originated.

9^th Dan General Choi Hong Hi is the father of Taekwon-Do.

 

The Literal Translation Of Taekwon-Do:

Tae - Jumping, flying, to kick or smash with the foot

Kwon - Fist, to punch or destroy with the hand or fist

Do - The art or way

Taekwon-Do - The mental training and technique of unarmed combat for self-defense as well as health. It involves the skilled application of punches, kicks, blocks and dodges with bare hands and feet for the rapid destruction of a moving opponent or opponents.

The Belt Rank System:

There are six colors of belts: White, Yellow, Green, Blue, Red and Black. They are divided into ten grade (gup) levels of color belts and nine degree (dan) levels of black belt. For the colored belts 10^th gup low white belt is the lowest and the 1^st gup high red belt is the highest. For the black belts 1^st dan is the lowest and the 9^th dan is the highest.

Dan-Gun Pattern Information:

            Dan-Gun is named after the Holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2,333 B.C.

I	Diagram: Capital "i" Moves: 21

 

 

 

The Student Oath Of Taekwon-Do:

I shall observe the tenants of Taekwon-Do.

I shall respect my instructors and seniors.

I shall never misuse Taekwon-Do.

I shall be a champion of freedom and justice.

I shall build a more peaceful world.

The Tenants of Taekwon-Do:

Courtesy

Integrity

Perseverance

Self-Control

Indomitable Spirit

The Classes Of Black Belts:

1^st - 3^rd Novice (Boo sa-bum)

4^th - 6^th Expert (sa-bum)

7^th - 8^th Master (sa-hyung)

9^{th -} Grand Master (sa-sung)

Do-San Pattern Information:

            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 to its independence movement.

Diagram: Right stair step Moves: 24

 

 

 

The Meaning of Green Belt:

Green signifies the plant's growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop.

The Nine Reasons For Practicing Courtesy:

1.      To promote the spirit of mutual concessions.

2.      To be ashamed of one's vices, co tempting those of others.

3.      To be polite to one another.

4.      To encourage the sense of justice humanity.

5.      To distinguish instructor from student, senior from junior, elder from younger.

6.      To behave according to etiquette.

7.      To respect others possessions.

8.      To handle matters with fairness and sincerity.

9.      To refrain from giving or accepting any gift when in doubt.

Opening And Closing Cerermony For A Takewon-Do Class:

Opening Ceremony

Closing Ceremony

Charyot  ----- Attention stance		Charyot ---- Attention stance
Kuk-ki-yea Tae-hae ---- Face the flags		Kuk-ki-yea Tae-hae ---- Face the flags
Kyong-ye ---- Salute		Kyong-ye ---- Salute
Baro ---- Return to attention stance		Baro ---- Return to attention stance
Anj-oh ---- Kneel		Anj-oh ---- Kneel
Muk-nyom ---- Meditate		Muk-nyom ---- Meditate
Baro ---- Return to attention stance		Baro ---- Return to attention stance
Charyot ---- Attention stance		Charyot ---- Attention stance
Sa-bum Nim Gae ---- Face the instructor		Sa-bum Nim Gae ---- Face the instructor
Kyong-ye ---- Bow		Kyong-ye ---- Bow
		Boo Sa-bum Nim Gae ---- Face the assistant instructor
		Kyong-ye Bow
		Eesang ---- Dismissed
		Ko-map Sum-nee-da ---- Thank you very much

 

Won-Hyo Pattern Information:

            Won-Hyo was the noted Monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.

I	Diagram: Capital "i" Moves: 28

 

 

 

The Eight Examples Of Poor Integrity:

1. The instructor who misrepresents himself and his art by presenting improper techniques to his students because of a lack of knowledge or apathy.
2. The student who misrepresents himself by "fixing" breaking materials before demonstrations.
3. The instructor who camouflages bad techniques with luxurious training halls and false flattery to his students.
4. The student who requests rank from an instructor or attempts to purchase it.
5. The student who gains rank for ego purposes or the feeling of power.
6. The instructor who teaches and promotes his art for materialistic gains.
7. The student whose actions do not live up to his words.
8. The student who feels ashamed to seek opinions from his juniors.

24 Korean Words Used In Class:

Assistant Instructor	Boo Sa-bum (1st - 3rd dan)
Attention	Charyot
At ease	Swiyo
Begin	Si-jak
Bow/Salute	Kyong-ye
Face the flags	Kuk-ki-yea Tae-hae
Finished	Ee-sang
Grade / Degree	Gup / Dan
Grand Master	Sa-sung (9th dan)
Gymnasium	Do-jang
Instructor	Sa-bum (4th - 6th dan)
Instructor sir	Sa-bum Nim
Master Instructor	Sa-hyun (7th - 8th dan)
Meditate	Muk-nyom
Pattern	Tul
Ready position	Junbi
Return to ready	Baro
Sit/Kneel	Anj-ho
Stop	Guman
Thank you	Ko-map Sum-nee-da
Turn around	Tui-tora
Uniform	Do-bak
Yell	Ki-ap

Yul-Gok Pattern Information:

Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi L (1536-1584), nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea". The 38 movements refer to his birthplace on 38o latitude and the pattern diagram represents the Chinese character for "scholar".

Diagram: "scholar" sign Moves: 38

 

 

 

The Meaning Of Blue Belt:

Blue signifies the heaven toward which the plant matures into a towering tree as the training in Taekwon-Do progresses.

The Five Disciplines Of Taekwon-Do Moral Culture Training:

Travel
Mountain climbing
Cold showers
Public service
Etiquette

The Five Parts Of The Physical Composition Of Taekwon-Do:

Fundamental Exercise
Self-defense
Dallyon (equipment maintenance, "forging, stretching, running, weight training, etc.)
Sparring
Patterns

Joon-Gun Pattern Knowledge Information:

Joon-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joon-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea. Ito was known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. The 32 movements represent Mr. Ahn's age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison in 1910.

I	Diagram: Capital "i" Moves: 32

 

 

 

The Ten Parts Of The Students Responsibility To The Student-Instructor Relationship:

1. Never tire of learning. A good student can learn anytime, anywhere. This is the secret of knowledge.
2. A good student must be willing to sacrifice for his art and his instructor. Many students feel that their training is a commodity that is bought with monthly dues and they are unwilling to take part in demonstrations, teaching, and working around the do-jang. An instructor can afford to lose this type of student.
3. Always set a good example for lower ranking students. It is only natural that they will attempt to emulate their seniors.
4. Always be loyal and never criticize the instructor, the art of Taekwon-Do, or the teaching methods.
5. If an instructor teaches a technique, practice it and attempt to utilize it.
6. Remember that a student's conduct outside the do-jang reflects on the art and his instructor.
7. If a student adopts a technique from another gym and the instructor disapproves of it, the student must discard it immediately or train at the other gym.
8. Never be disrespectfull to the instructor. Though a student is allowed to disagree, the student must follow instructions first and discuss the matter later.
9. A student must always be eager to learn and ask questions.
10. Never betray a trust.

Toi-Gye Pattern Information:

Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th Century), an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements refer to his birthplace on the 37o latitude and the diagram represents the Chinese character for "scholar".

Diagram: "scholar" sign Moves: 37

 

 

The Meaning Of Red Belt:

Red signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning opponents to stay away.

The Nine Points To Be Observed While Performing A Pattern:

1. Accuracy; a pattern should begin and end the same spot.
2. Correct posture and facing should be maintained at all times.
3. The muscles of the body should be tensed and relaxed at the proper moments.
4. A pattern should be performed in rhythmic movements with an absence of stiffness.
5. Moves should be accelerated or decelerated according to the instructions in the encyclopedia.
6. Each pattern should be perfected before going on to the next.
7. Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8. Students should perform each move with realism.
9. Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed among left and right hands and feet.

Hwa-Rang Pattern Information:

Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th Century. This group eventually became the actual driving force for the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.

I	Diagram: Capital "i" Moves: 29

 

The Five Parts Of The Hwa-Rang Warrior Code:

Be loyal to your king.
Be obedient to your parents.
Be honorable to your friends.
Never retreat in battle.
Make a just kill.

The Three Kingdoms Of Ancient Korea:

Koguryo
Baek-Je
Silla

The Six Factors In The Theory Of Power:

Reaction Force
Breathe Control
Speed
Concentration
Equilibrium
Mass

Choong-Moo Pattern Information:

Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor to the present day submarine. The reason for this pattern ending in a left-hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death. Checked by the forced reservations of his loyalty to the king, Yi Sin-Sun was given no chance in his lifetime show his unrestrained potentiality.

I	Diagram: Capital "i" Moves: 30

 

 

 

The Meaning Of Black Belt:

Black is the opposite of white, therefore, signifying the student's maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do. It also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.

The Eight Parts Of The Training Secrets Of Taekwon-Do:

1. To Study the theory of power thoroughly.
2. To understand the purpose and meaning of each movement clearly.
3. To bring the movement of eyes, hands, feet, and breath into a single coordinated action.
4. To choose the appropriate attacking tool for each vital spot.
5. To become familiar with the correct angle and distance for attack and defense.
6. Keep both the arms and legs bent slightly while the movement is in motion.
7. All movements must begin with a backward motion with very few exceptions.
8. To create a sine wave during the movement by utilizing the knee spring properly.

Stances

Attention Stance Length: 0.0 Width: 0.0 Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full      Heels together forming 45 degree angle, knees locked. Arms dropped naturally, elbows partially bent. Lightly clenched fists, eyes slightly above horizon.	Parallel Ready Stance Length: 0.0 Width: 1 Shoulder width - footsword to footsword Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full or Side      Feet are even and parallel. Hands slightly clinched about 5cm apart and 7cm from abs. Elbows are 10cm from floating ribs. Upper arms are forward at 30 degrees and lower arms are bent upward at 40 degrees.
Walking Stance Length: 1.5 Shoulder - big toe to big toe Width: 1 shoulder width - center instep to center instep Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full, Half, or Reverse Half      Back knee locked, kneecap of other leg is over the heel. Front foot points forward, back points no more than 25 degrees from the front.      Named after front foot.	L-Stance Length: 1.5 shoulder - Tip of big toe to rear footsword Width: 2.5cm - Front inside heel to back leg back heel Weight: 30/70 Facings: Half      Back knee is bent over toes of back foot. Rear hip is aligned with inner knee joint of rear knee. Front foot points 15 degree in from the side.      Named after rear foot.
Sitting Stance Length: 0 Width: 1.5 shoulders - insides of big toes Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full, or Side      Feet point to the front and parallel. Knees are bent evenly so kneecaps are over the balls of the feet. The chest and abdomen are pushed out and the hips are pushed back.	Fixed Stance Length: 1.5 shoulders- tip of big toe to inside of big toe. Width: 2.5cm - inside heel to backheel Weight: 50/50 Facings: Half      Knees bent evenly. Front foot points 15 degree in from front, back foot point 15 degrees in from side.      Named after front foot.
Vertical Stance Length: 1.5 shoulder - front tip of big toe to inside big toe Width: 0 Weight: 40/60 Facings: Half      Knees locked. Heel of the front foot is slightly inside heel of rear foot. Front foot points 15 degrees in from front and back foot points 15 degrees in from the side.      Named after rear foot.	Low Stance Length: 1.5 shoulders front back heel to tip of big toe Width: 1.0 shoulder - Center of both insteps Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full, or Half      Back knee is locked and front knee is bent over the heel of front foot. Front foot points to front and back foot points no more than 25 degrees outward from the front. The foot muscles are tensed as if to pull the feet together.      Named after front foot
Bending Ready Stance "A" Length: 0 Width: 0 Weight: 0/100 Facings: Half      Supporting foot faces the side and the supporting knee is bent. Non-supporting knee points in 15 degree from the front. The non-supporting knee is positioned by the knee of the supporting leg. Performing a high guarding block with outer forearms.      Named after supporting foot.	X-Stance Length: 0 Width: 0 Weight: 100/0 Facings: Full, Side, or Half      Both feet point in same direction. Both knees bent evenly. Ball of non-supporting foot slightly touches ground. Non-supporting leg crosses in front when the stance is done in stepping motion and back when done jumping. Named after supporting foot.
Rear Foot Stance Length: 1 shoulder - tip of big toe to footsword Width: 0 Weight: Most of weight is on rear foot Facings: Half      Rear knee is bent, kneecap over toes. Front knee is bent proportionally with ball of foot touching floor. Heel of front foot is held off floor and is slightly inside the heel of the rear foot. Front foot points 25 degrees in from the front and the back points 15 degrees in from the side.      Named after rear foot.	Closed Ready Stance "A" Length: 0 Width: 0 Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full      Feet are together and parallel, both knees locked. Left hand wraps around right fist with left hand fingertips on the right-hand knuckles. Hands are 30cm in front of philtrum (12.2 inches).
Closed Ready Stance "B" Length: 0 Width: 0 Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full      Feet are together and parallel, both knees locked. Left hand wraps around right fist with left hand fingertips on the right-hand knuckles.      Hands are 15cm in front of umbilicus (6.1 inches).	Closed Ready Stance "C" Length: 0 Width: 0 Weight: 50/50 Facings: Full      Feet are together and parallel, both knees locked. Both hands are knife hands pointing down. Left on top of right with left-hand index finger on the right-hand ring finger.      Hands are 10cm in front of umbilicus (4.1 inches).