The Taeguk

..........................................................................................................................................................

	Taeguk (in World Taekwondo Federation, or WTF, Taekwondo) refers to the "forms" used to create a foundation for the teaching of Taekwondo. A form (形 or 型) is a detailed pattern of defense-and-attack used in traditional martial arts. The word Taeguk (the Korean pronunciation of Taiji/T'ai Chi) refers to the important principle in east Asian Taoist thought of the union of yin and yang.
All students studying in WTF Kukkiwon style must learn these forms, or Taeguks, to advance to a higher belt level. There are eight Taeguks, each one similar to the previous one, but each time with more complicated techniques to display the students' mastery of the techniques learned during lessons as well as the ability to interconnect these techniques. Each Taeguk symbolizes a specific state thought to be indicative of the belt the student currently holds before gaining a new belt, and is represented in WTF Taekwondo by trigrams similar to those found in the four corners of the South Korean flag. In order to receive a Black Belt, the student must perform all Taeguks consecutively. Each Dan (degree of Black Belt) also has its own associated form, required for belt testing. The first degree form for the WTF is called Koryo.The Palgwe forms are a slightly older, somewhat similar supplemental group of WTF pumse. There are eight Palgwe forms that also represent eight trigrams from I-Ching. Korean Flag (Taegukki): The meaning of Korean National Flag is very philosophical. The origin comes from the Oriental philosophy called Eum-Yang, in Chinese pronunciation Yin-Yang. In Korea, the symbol of 'Yin and Yang', and sometimes the flag itself, is called Taeguk and summarizes the thoughts of 'I Ching' (called 'Yeok' in Korean). The name means as much as the flag of 'Great Extremes'. The flag consists of three parts: The white background, the red and blue circle in the center and four trigrams, one in each corner of the flag. The white background of the flag means peace. The red and blue circle in the center is called 'Taeguk', the origin of all things in the universe. The central thought is perfect harmony and balance: A continuousl movement within the sphere of infinity, resulting in one unit. The blue part of 'Taeguk' is called 'Eum' and represents all negative aspects of the balance that is typical for the symbol. The red part is called 'Yang' and describes all positive apects. The four trigrams at the corners (called 'Kwe' in Korean) also represent the concept of opposites and balance. The trigrams are heaven (upper-left) and at the other corner earth, water (upper-right) and at the other corner fire. Looking at symbols of the trigrams, you can see that they are opposites as well. Three unbroken bars (heaven) vs. three broken bars (earth), etc. For the Korean people their flag of T'aeGuk-Ki is a source of pride and inspiration. During the Japanese occupation period beginning in 1910 the Korean flag was outlawed in public places and for about thirty five years the T'aeGuk flags were kept hidden until Liberation Day in1945. The Korean flag has been a symbol of this country's struggle for independence and freedom. Origin The oldest 'Yin/Yang'-symbol, which was described in stone, was found in Korea. At the end of the 19th century, Korea needed their own flag. It is believed that Young-Hyo Park came up with the first concept. At that time, Korea was under the influence of all sorts of colonists like the Japanese, Chinese and Russian. The symbols Yin means dark and cold, while Yang means bright and hot. A very old book called Choo-Yuk which is written by a Chinese claims all objects and events in the world are expressed by the movement of Yin and Yang. For example, the moon is Yin while the sun is Yang. The earth is Yin and the sky is Yang. The night is Yin and the day is Yang. The winter is Yin and the summer is Yang. Yin and Yang are relative. Therefore, A can be Yin with respect to B while A can be Yang with respect to C. For example, the spring is Yin w.r.t. the summer and it is at the same time Yang w.r.t. the winter. Kun Heaven Yi Fire Kam Water Kon Earth The International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) has its own sequence of pumse. They are named after figures from Korean history and are less formulaic than the WTF's Taeguk and Palgwe pumse. The first nine, which are required for 1st degree black belt, are named after significant Korean historical figures or concepts: Chonji, Dangun, Dosan, Wonhyo, Yulgok, Junggon, Toegye, Hwarang, and Chungmu. Various schools sometimes insert one of a variety of other forms before Taeguk Il-jang" Taeguks by Belt Level: Many schools require that form practice begins with a bow to the flag and/or instructor, however the motions of the forms themselves do not require the bow, nor is it necessary in personal practice.
..........................................................................
Browse Tae Kwon Do Books
Top 5 Books about Taekwondo
..........................................................................

..........................................................................................................................................................