Meaning of Taekwondo Poomse 8

Taegeuk 8 (Pal) Jang: Gon – Symbolizes the earth and has 24 movements.

This last group of Taegeuk actions is guided by the principle called gon, which is defined as the quality of being receptive. Its metaphysics is pure yang, and it is symbolized by the earth, providing the substance into which the heavenly light and energy of Keon enters to produce physical forms.

Taegeuk Pal jang is intended as a summation and a review of all the previous forms for the student on their way to attaining the rank of black belt. Those of the 1st Gup are required to be proficient in this as well as the preceding forms.

" The earth is the source of life. Things take life from it and grow on it, drawing limitless energy from it. The earth is where the creative force of heaven is embodied. The earth is always wordless; it hugs and grows everything." 

8 (Taegeuk Pal Jang)

Meaning of Taekwondo Poomse 7

Taegeuk 7 (Chil) Jang: Gan – Symbolizes the mountain and 25 movements.

The seventh series of Taegeuk actions applies a concept called gan, meaning "top stop," the seventh of the eight concepts of the Book of Changes. The Taegeuk forms interpret gan, symbolized by the image of a mountain, as the principle of stability. This stability is defined as the structural soundness, which results from having resolved one’s ambition to touch heaven into the limitations of excellent form. This resolution is of a notable and majestic character; thus, the image of the mountain.

The tiger stance, in which most of your weight is settled on the back leg expresses this peculiar stability which also contains ambition. These actions use the tiger stance repeatedly.

" We should stop when we should and we must go forward when we must. Man must learn the stability of mountain. We should not act in a hasty manner." 

7 (Taegeuk Chil Jang)

Meaning of Taekwondo Poomse 6

Taegeuk 6 (Yook) Jang: Gam - Symbolizes water and has 23 movements.

The dramatic expressions of Taegeuk Yook Jang are defined by the concept of gam – water, flowing, shapeless, always true to its nature, incorporation all obstacles in its path in its own sense of flow. It is important for the practitioner to recognize this as a type of confidence, of always knowing whatever difficulties or hardships he/she may encounter in life, or in the practice of his/her art, there exists no doubt of over coming them as long as he/she retains the qualities of acceptance, flow, and natural integrity. This set of movements must be performed with fluidity, and the feeling that every action is exactly what is called for to overcome the situation at each particular instant. Students of the rank 3rd Gup are required to be proficient in this and the preceding forms. 

6 (Taegeuk Yuk Jang)

Meaning of Taekwondo Poomse 5

Taegeuk 5 (Oh) Jang: Seon – Symbolizes wind and has 20 movements.

This group of Taegeuk actions expresses a concept called seon, the fifth of the eight concepts in the great circle of Jooyeok, the Book of Changes. Seon encompasses the characteristics of wind; gentle and strong; invisible, yet manifesting, in concrete terms, the interplay of the um and yang taking place beyond time. The concept of seon is of subtle nature, but pure, without evil intent; it is a state of being, the state of being like the wind.

A sweeping hammer fist strike, and a leap forward into the cross-legged stance are introduced for the first time in the Taegeuk series of forms. The powerful elbow strike is also used, as are quick following combinations. Students of the rank of 4th Gup are required to be proficient in this and the preceding forms.

" There are such horrible winds as typhoon, storm, and tornadoes, but the nature of wind is gentle. Spring breeze caresses weeping willow. Wind symbolizes humble state of mind. It expresses repetitive good-natured actions. Actions proceed sometimes gently and monotonously as breeze but sometimes as forcefully as storms." 

5 (Taegeuk Oh Jang)

Meaning of Taekwodo Poomse 4

Taegeuk 4 (Sa) Jang: Jin - Symbolize thunder and has 20 movements

Taegeuk Sa Jang applies the principles if Jin, which stands for thunder – the element of fear and trembling which occasionally enters our lives. Because Taekwondo is compromised exclusively of virtuous actions, Taegeuk expresses fear and trembling in the only way that virtue can – stoically, as a passing thunderstorm that nourishes the soul. Virtue, therefore, defines fear as courage. This form, as a consequence, contains many postures that display composure and strong balance such as blocks in combination with strikes and, front kicks that require the performer to kick with force but immediately recover into back stances. Students of the 5th Gup rank and higher are required to master this poomse.

" Thunder and lightening are the objects of fear and trembling. This principle suggests that we should act calmly and bravely even in the face of danger and fear. Then the blue sky and bright sunlight will appear again. " 

4 (Taegeuk Sa Jang)

Meaning of Taekwondo Poomse 3

Taegeuk 3 (Sam) Jang: Ri - Symbolizes fire and sun and has 20 movements.

As with the previous poomse, proficiency in performing Taegeuk Sam Jang is required of students of 6th Gup rank and higher. The three moves incorporated here, however, are more varied, and demand variety in quickness and strength on the part of the person performing as well. Ri is the philosophical correlative of this form; and Ri means fire and the sun. The sun causes fire. Man knows how to use the fire that gives light, warmth, enthusiasm and hope.

So, the movements of this poomse must emulate the qualities of fire – that of flickering energy, of unpredictable pace and styling, and of quiet followed by great excitement or great passion – but continually moving, burning. In this poomse, many moves are combined in quick succession, such as front kicks followed instantly by double front punches. This poomse also introduces the outward middle block with a knife hand and the knife hand strike as new techniques. 

3 (Taegeuk Sam Jang)

Meaning of Taekwondo Poomse 2

Taegeuk 2 (ee) Jang: Tae - Symbolizes joyfulness and has 18 movements.

The Second poomse in the Taegeuk series is composed for the training of students of 7th Gup Student. In addition to the actions presented in the previous poomse, this poomse introduces the front punch, which is directed toward the head of the imagined adversary as a new technique.

Philosophically, this poomse correlates to the concept of Tae, which means joy. Tae is of a spiritually uplifting nature, but it is not aggressive. It is serene and gentle instead.

In compliance with these characteristics then, the actions of this poomse should be performed with ease and fluidity; without the sense of struggling against your limitations, but nevertheless, living fully within them. Tae is symbolized by the image of a lake. It is the state in which one’s mind is kept firms and ostensibly appears gentle so that smile and virtue prevail. 

2 (Taegeuk Ee Jang)