What Are Hyungs?
One of the most important aspects of Tae Kwon Do training is hyungs (patterns). Hyungs, sometimes called tul or poom-se, are a series of offensive and defensive movements arranged in a predetermined pattern and practiced by the student against imaginary opponents. There are many requirements for advancing in rank in Tae Kwon Do, but how well a student performs their hyungs may determine if they will pass or fail.
While some hyung movements are designed to develop external strength and power, other hyungs were created to help cultivate internal strength “Ki” (pronounced Kee). External strength is developed through proper tensing and relaxing of the muscles, dynamic and rigorous body movement, and by maintaining correct posture and form. Internal strength is amplified within hyungs by means of correct breathing, centralization of power, and by way of intense concentration with a calm mind. But this is not all hyungs have to offer. They combine the internal and external forces to stimulate the timing, speed, and ability of the student to apply the techniques within the hyungs.
Hyungs stress the development of correct basics. Each block, strike, and stance must be without flaw. If correct execution of a technique in a hyung is overlooked, then the student will be off balance, thus greatly reducing the amount of power he can generate. The technique would be, to a great extent, ineffective due to lack of power and focus. Since advanced combinations consist of basic (ki bon pronounced “kee bon”) movements, the practitioner must have solid basics.
Basic patterns (ki bon hyungs) consist of a few blocks and strikes combined with little in the way of footwork. This early integration of basic techniques helps the student develop rhythm, power, and control. As the student progresses through the ranks, the hyungs become increasingly complex. Footwork and body movement intensify until movement becomes more natural and the student’s techniques become fluid. It is the coordinated effort of the mind and body, internal and external powers, and reaching for perfection which make hyungs an integral part of Tae Kwon Do.
Ki-Bon Tul (20 movements)
Ki-Bon means Basic or Beginning
Chon-Ji Tul (19 movements)
Literally means heaven and 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 the Heaven and the other the Earth.
Dan-Gun Tul (21 movements)
Dan Gun is named after the Holy Dan Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C..
Do-San Tul (24 movements)
Do-San is a pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876 – 1938). The 24 movements represent his entire life which he devoted to furthering education in Korea and the Korean independence movement.
Won-Hyo Tul (28 movements)
Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD.
Yul-Gok Tul (38 movements)
Yul-Gok is a pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536 – 1584) nicknamed the “Confucius of Korea”. The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38 degree latitude and the diagram of the pattern represents scholar.
Joon-Gun Tul (32 movements)
Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this patter to represent Mr Ahn’s age when he was executed at Lui-Shung in 1910.
Toi-Gye Tul (37 movements)
Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century) an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37 degree latitude, the diagram represent “scholar”.
Hwa-Rang Tul (29 movements)
Hwa Rang is named after the Haw Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th infantry Division, where Taekwondo developed into maturity.
Choong-Moo Tul (30 movements)
Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-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 of the present day submarine. This pattern ends with a left hand attack, to symbolize his regrettable death. He was noted for his unrestrained loyalty to the King.
Kwang-Gae Tul (39 movements)
Kwang-Gae is named after the famous Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th king of the Koguryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram represent the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne.
Po-Eun Tul (36 movements)
Po-Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong-Mong-Chu (1400) who was a famous poet and who’s poem “I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a hundred time” is know to every Korean. He was also a pioneer in the field of physics. The diagram represent his unerring loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
Ge-Baek Tul (44 Movements)
Ge-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek-Je Dynasty (660AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.
Eui-Am Tul (45 Movements)
Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed his name of Dong Hak (oriental Culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly Way Religion) in 1905. The diagram represents his indomitable spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.
Choong-Jang Tul (52 Movements)
Choong-Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 14th century. This pattern ends with a left hand attack to symbolise the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity.
Juche Tul (45 Movements)
Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything, in other words, the idea that man is that master of the world and his own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mount which symbolise the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram represents Baekdu Mountain.
Sam Il Tul (33 Movements)
Sam Il denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korea which began throughout the country on march 1, 1919. The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.
Yoo-Sin Tul (68 Movements)
Yoo Sin is named after General Kin Yoo Sin, a commanding general during the Silla Dynasty. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 AD the year Korea was unified. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn to the right rather than the left side, symbolizing Yoo sin’s mistake of following his king’s orders to fight with foreign force against his own nation.
Choi Yong Tul (46 Movements)
Choi Yong is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander-in Chief of the armed forces during the 14th century Koryo Dynasty. Choi Yong was greatly respected for his loyalty, patriotism, and humility. He was executed by subordinate commanders headed by General Yi Sung Gae, who later became the first king of the Yi Dynasty.
Yon Gae Tul (49 Movements)
Yon Gae is named after a famous general during the Koguryo Dynasty. Yon Gae Somoon. The 49 movements refer to the last two figures of 649 AD the year he forced the Tang Dynasty to quit Korea after destroying nearly 300,000 of their troops at Ansi Sung.
UL-JI Tul (42 Movements)
UL-JI is named after general UL-JI Moon Dok who successfully defended Korea against a Tang’s invasion force of nearly one million soldiers led by Yang Je in 612 AD, Ul-JI employing hit and run guerilla tactics was able to decimate a large percentage of the force. The diagram represents his surname. The 42 movements represent the author’s age when he designed the pattern.
Moon-Moo Tul (61 Movements)
Moon Moo honors the 30th king of the Silla Dynasty. His body was buried near Dae Wang Am (Great King’s Rock). According to his will, the body was placed in the sea “Where my soul shall forever defend my land against the Japanese”. It is said that the Sok Gul Am (Stone Cave) was built to guard his tomb. The Sok Gul Am is a fine example of the culture of the Silla Dynasty. The 61 movements in this pattern symbolize the last two figures of 6612 AS when Moon Moo came to the throne.
So-San Tul (72 Movements)
So San is the pseudonym of the great monk Choi Hyong Ung (1520 – 1604) during the Lae Dynasty. The 72 movements refer to his age when he organised a corps of monk soldiers with the assistance of his pupil Sa Myung Dang. The monk soldiers helped repulse the Japanese pirates who overran most of the Korean peninsula in 1592.
Se Jong Tul (24 Movements)
Se-Jong is named after the greatest Korean King, Se-Jong, who invented the Korean alphabets in 1443, and was also a noted meteorologist. The diagram represents the king, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of the Korean alphabet.
Tong Il Tul
Tong Il denotes the resolution of the unification of Korea which has been divided since 1945. The diagram symbolises the homogenous race.