Meaning of the Taegeuk Poomsae
Taegeuk
The Uhm and Yang (the blue and the red on
the Taegeukdo) represent the harmony of all
life force. This harmony becomes imbalanced
and the stronger of the two overflows into
the
weaker, creating an imbalanced state of Uhm
and Yang. The state of balance and imbalance
of
the two forces constantly fluctuate
throughout life. These constant changes
however, follow
a certain orderly course without exception.
Taegeuk Poomses are designed according to
the Taegeuk Principle. The opposing
phenomena
of nature are the main formula of the
Taegeuk Poomses -- challenge and response,
offense and
defense, attack and retreat, fast and slow,
hard and soft.
The keys in practicing Taegeuk Poomses are
to manage internal and external energy
properly and to perform in an accurate and
timely manner, with adequate breath, speed,
and
power control. Special attention also must
be given to transitional techniques, by
shifting
the center of gravity perpendicular to the
ground, so as not to lose overall body
balance.
Each technique must be performed with
complete focus and dynamic energy.
Taegeuk Poomse 1 -- IL JANG: [For the 8th Kup]
Symbol is Geun, meaning the sky, yang – the
base of the cosmos.
This is the first and most basic form of
Taekwondo training. The movements are
walking
stance, front stance, low block, high block,
inside block, middle punch, front kick.
Taegeuk Poomse 2 – EE JANG: [For the 7th Kup]
Symbol is Tae; meaning ‘internal strength
and external gentleness’
After diligent practice of Taegeuk IL JANG,
now you have a stronger base to develop
yourself further. There are more front kicks
and block-kick-punch combinations in Taegeuk
EE
JANG. Techniqures must be performed gently
but with dynamic inner power.
Taegeuk Poomse 3 – SAM JANG: [For the 6th Kup]
Symbol is Yi, meaning fire.
Through Taekwondo training, you have
developed physical strength, and inner
power. Now
is the stage where the more effort you put
out, the more your enthusiasm burns. New
movements in Taegeuk SAM JANG are back
stance, knife hand strike, knife hand block.
The
combinations of block-punch and block-kick
require quick speed and ability to
coordinate
bodily parts to create integral forces. Put
speed in defense and power in attack.
Taegeuk Poomse 4 – SAH JANG: [For the 5th Kup]
Symbol is Jin; meaning thunder, the
undeniable power and dignity of space.
There are more advanced movements in this
Poomse such as double knife hand blocks,
finger
tip thrust, swallow stance, knife hand
strike, consecutive side kicks, cross stance
back
fist. To prepare you for the Kyuroogi
practice there are more transitional
movements to help
you to improve correct body shifting and
coordination.
Taegeuk Poomse 5 – OH JANG: [For the 4th Kup]
Symbol is Sohn; meaning wind.
The wind is so gentle when it is a breeze
and devastating when it becomes a hurricane.
Human power can also be used either way.
Taegeuk OH JANG is designed to develop the
inner
energy and kinetic force of the body with
the application of the two opposite
phenomena of
nature. New movements are hammerfist, elbow
strike, side kick with side punch and
jumping
cross stance. Special attention is required
in striking a specific target area with the
elbow.
Taegeuk Poomse 6 – YUK JANG: [for the 3rd Kup]
Symbol is Kahm, meaning water – the origin
of life.
Water symbolizes a constant flow nd the
ultimate flexibility. Not only must the
techniques flow like the water, but the mind
must be flexible as well. New techniques are
single knifehand high section block,
roundhouse kick, palm press block and
pyunhee sughi in
the middle of the poomse. Special attention
must be paid to the foot position right
after
executing the two roundhouse kicks.
Taegeuk Poomse 7 – CHIL JANG: [For the 2nd Kup]
Symbol is Kahn; meaning a mountain.
A mountain is the spirit of firmness and
strength. At this level the practitioner’s
resolution for training Taekwondo starts
firmly rooting in the heart. The meaning of
self-
improvement through Taekwondo becomes deeper
daily. Therefore, it is recommended to re-
examine all of the learned skills so that
the base for progress is strongly secured.
You may
experience some difficulties and obstacles
mentally and physically. Effort is required
to
get through this stage. New techniques are
low double knife hand block, palm press
block,
scissors block, knee strike, middle section
opening block, cross hand block, side punch,
cat
stance and horseriding stance. Powerful and
articulate exedcution is required in single
movements and smooth transition in
combination techniques.
Taegeuk Poomse 8 – PAL JANG: [For the 1st Kup]
Symbol is Kohn; meaning the Earth.
The earth is the foundation of the growth
for all life. It is the beginning of life
and
all lives must return to where they began.
Taegeuk PAL JANG is the last poomse before
becoming a black belt. The end means a new
beginning. Perfection of all basic Taekwondo
and
maturity of character is the goal at this
stage. If pride, confidence, and dignity
were the
results of training, honesty and humbleness
are the preresquisites for the black belt
stage.
It is required to perfect from Taegeuk IL
JANG to Taegeuk PAL JANG to be eligible to
apply
for the 1st Dan black belt test. New
techniques are jump front kick, elbow
strike, single
mountain block and uppercut. Accurate
footwork is required in combinations.