Taekwondo Forge - WTF Poomsae info

Poomsae 1: Taegeuk Il Jang (태극1장)

The Taegeuk Il Jang poomsae is the first form a student learns in the World Taekwondo curriculum. The name "Taegeuk" refers to the ancient Korean philosophical concept of the "Supreme Ultimate," symbolizing the origin of all things. The eight Taegeuk poomsae forms are each named after a different philosophical symbol from Eastern thought. The "Il Jang" part of the name means "first form," symbolizing the very beginning of a student's journey.

The form consists of 18 movements and is designed to teach the most basic but fundamental skills of the art. The pattern of the form represents the symbol for "Keon" (☰), which symbolizes the sky and heaven. It is the first and most powerful of the eight symbols. Taegeuk Il Jang is the foundation upon which all other poomsae are built. It introduces the most basic stances, blocks, and punches.

For most students, Taegeuk Il Jang is the key requirement for advancing from a white belt to a yellow belt. Mastering this form proves a student has committed to their training and is ready to move beyond basic warm-ups into the more structured and philosophical side of Taekwon-Do. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 2: Taegeuk Yi Jang (태극2장)

The Taegeuk Yi Jang poomsae is the second form in the World Taekwondo curriculum. The name "Yi Jang" means "second form" and the form itself represents the philosophical symbol for "Tae" (☱), which symbolizes joy and a lake. A lake appears calm on the surface but contains immense depth and power beneath, just as a Taekwondo practitioner should remain calm and focused while developing inner power. This poomsae is a crucial step in a student's journey, as it builds on the simple foundation of the first form and introduces new, more complex movements.

The form consists of 18 movements and the pattern of the form is a simple "U" shape. The movements are designed to be a blend of power and grace, representing the fusion of Taekwon-Do's physical and philosophical aspects. The form builds on the basic stances and punches from Taegeuk Il Jang and introduces a key new technique: the middle block (momtong makgi). This block is vital for defending against strikes to the body and requires a greater level of control and power to perform correctly. The student will also continue to practice and perfect their basic stances and punches in a new, more challenging sequence.

For most students, Taegeuk Yi Jang is the key requirement for advancing from a yellow belt to a green belt. Mastering this form proves a student has a solid grasp of the fundamental blocks and punches and is ready to expand their skills with more advanced techniques and a more complex philosophical meaning. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 3: Taegeuk Sam Jang (태극3장)

The Taegeuk Sam Jang poomsae is the third form in the World Taekwondo curriculum. The name "Sam Jang" means "third form," and the form itself represents the philosophical symbol for "Li" (☲), which symbolizes fire and the sun. Fire has two main properties: light and warmth. This symbolizes a practitioner's moral and physical development. A student at this stage should be both technically proficient (light) and morally sound (warmth), showing a deeper understanding of the art's philosophy.

The form consists of 20 movements, and the pattern of the form is a simple "E" shape. The movements are designed to be a blend of power and grace, representing the fusion of Taekwon-Do's physical and philosophical aspects. The form builds on the basic stances and punches from the previous forms and introduces a key new technique: the middle block (momtong makgi) performed with a more dynamic turn. It also introduces the low block (arae makgi) performed with a more dynamic turn.

For most students, Taegeuk Sam Jang is the key requirement for advancing to a green belt. Mastering this form proves a student has a solid grasp of the fundamental blocks and punches and is ready to expand their skills with more advanced techniques and a more complex philosophical meaning. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 4: Taegeuk Sa Jang (태극4장)

The Taegeuk Sa Jang poomsae is the fourth form in the World Taekwondo curriculum. The name "Sa Jang" means "fourth form," and the form itself represents the philosophical symbol for "Jin" (☳), which symbolizes thunder. Thunder and lightning represent great power and dignity. This poomsae is a crucial step in a student's journey, as it builds on the simple foundation of the first three forms and introduces new, more complex movements. It is a form that truly begins to test a student's balance and power.

The form consists of 20 movements, and the pattern of the form is a simple "T" shape. The movements are designed to be a blend of power and grace, representing the fusion of Taekwon-Do's physical and philosophical aspects. The form introduces two key new techniques: the knife-hand strike (sonkal makgi) and the twin fist punch. It also introduces the front snap kick (ap chagi) which requires a greater level of control and balance.

For most students, Taegeuk Sa Jang is the key requirement for advancing to a green belt. Mastering this form proves a student has a solid grasp of the fundamental blocks and punches and is ready to expand their skills with more advanced techniques and a more complex philosophical meaning. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 5: Taegeuk Oh Jang (태극5장)

The Taegeuk Oh Jang poomsae is the fifth form in the World Taekwondo curriculum. The name "Oh Jang" means "fifth form," and the form itself represents the philosophical symbol for "Seon" (☴), which symbolizes wind. Wind can be gentle and soft, but also violent and powerful, just like a martial artist. This symbolizes a practitioner's dual nature: gentle in everyday life but strong and powerful when needed.

The form consists of 20 movements, and the pattern of the form is a simple "T" shape. The movements are designed to be a blend of power and grace, representing the fusion of Taekwon-Do's physical and philosophical aspects. The form builds on the basic stances and punches from the previous forms and introduces a key new technique: the hammer fist strike (me jumeok chigi). It also introduces the high block (olgul makgi), which is vital for defending against strikes to the head.

For most students, Taegeuk Oh Jang is the key requirement for advancing from a blue belt to a red belt. Mastering this form proves a student has a solid grasp of the fundamental blocks and punches and is ready to expand their skills with more advanced techniques and a more complex philosophical meaning. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 6: Taegeuk Yuk Jang (태극6장)

The Taegeuk Yuk Jang poomsae is the sixth form in the World Taekwondo curriculum. The name "Yuk Jang" means "sixth form," and the form itself represents the philosophical symbol for "Gam" (☵), which symbolizes water. Water can be calm and still, or it can be a powerful, raging force. This symbolizes a practitioner's dual nature: gentle in everyday life but strong and powerful when needed. It teaches a student to adapt their power and movements to a situation, much like water adapts to its container.

The form consists of 20 movements, and the pattern of the form is a simple "I" shape. The movements are designed to be a blend of power and grace, representing the fusion of Taekwon-Do's physical and philosophical aspects. The form builds on the basic stances and punches from the previous forms and introduces a key new technique: the roundhouse kick (dollyeo chagi). It also introduces the low block (arae makgi) which is vital for defending against strikes to the legs.

For most students, Taegeuk Yuk Jang is the key requirement for advancing from a blue belt to a red belt. Mastering this form proves a student has a solid grasp of the fundamental blocks and punches and is ready to expand their skills with more advanced techniques and a more complex philosophical meaning. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 7: Taegeuk Chil Jang (태극7장)

The Taegeuk Chil Jang poomsae is the seventh form in the World Taekwondo curriculum. The name "Chil Jang" means "seventh form," and the form itself represents the philosophical symbol for "Gan" (☶), which symbolizes a mountain. A mountain is a symbol of strength and stability, teaching a practitioner to remain grounded and unmoving in the face of conflict. The form requires a student to demonstrate a greater level of balance and control, reflecting the steadfast nature of a mountain.

The form consists of 25 movements, and the pattern of the form is a simple "I" shape. The movements are designed to be a blend of power and grace, representing the fusion of Taekwon-Do's physical and philosophical aspects. The form builds on the basic stances and punches from the previous forms and introduces a key new technique: the low block (arae makgi) which is vital for defending against strikes to the legs. It also introduces the back stance (dwit kubi) and a new, powerful block: the twin hand block (momtong makgi).

For most students, Taegeuk Chil Jang is the key requirement for advancing from a red belt to a black stripe. By this point, a practitioner has a solid grasp of the fundamental blocks and punches and is ready to expand their skills with more advanced techniques and a more complex philosophical meaning. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 8: Taegeuk Pal Jang (태극8장)

The Taegeuk Pal Jang poomsae is the eighth and final form in the Taegeuk series. The name "Pal Jang" means "eighth form," and the form itself represents the philosophical symbol for "Gon" (☷), which symbolizes the Earth or the mother. The form is a symbol of nourishment and new beginnings, and it is a powerful way for a student to show their dedication to the art. The form requires a student to demonstrate a greater level of balance and control, reflecting the steadfast nature of the Earth.

For most students, Taegeuk Pal Jang is the key requirement for advancing from a red belt to a black stripe. By this point, a practitioner has a solid grasp of the fundamental blocks and punches and is ready to expand their skills with more advanced techniques and a more complex philosophical meaning. A student will practice and perfect this form for months, and it is a key test of their discipline and dedication.

Poomsae 9: Koryo (고려)

Koryo is the ultimate poomsae that a student must master to earn their first black belt in the World Taekwondo (WT) curriculum. The name Koryo refers to the ancient Korean dynasty (918-1392 AD). This dynasty was the first to unify the Korean peninsula and is the source of the name "Korea." The form itself is a powerful testament to the strength, spirit, and wisdom of the Korean people. It represents a new, more profound stage in a practitioner's journey, marking the end of their basic training and the beginning of their true path.

The form consists of 30 movements and is a culmination of all the techniques from the Taegeuk forms. It is a powerful form that introduces a number of new, more challenging techniques that require greater control and power. The form introduces the kodureo makgi (ready stance), a new and unique ready stance for the first black belt poomsae. It also features a new type of spear-hand strike and a jump kick, requiring a greater level of balance and athletic ability. The movements of Koryo are much more fluid and powerful than the Taegeuk forms, and they require a high level of concentration and strength to perform correctly.

Mastering this form is a huge achievement and a final test of a practitioner's discipline, power, and understanding of the art's deeper principles. Passing this test proves that a student is not just memorizing movements, but is beginning to understand the deeper principles and philosophy of Taekwon-Do.