To help our students with their practice we have included the Taegeuk poomsae in video format. These video’s are very good training aids and were created by the Kukkiwon and their Poomsae specialist masters.
Taegeuk 1 Jang represents the symbol of “Keon”, one of the 8 Kwaes (divination signs), which means the “heaven and yang”. As the “Keon” symbolizes the beginning of the creation of all thing in the universe, do does the Taegeuk 1 Jang in the training of Taekwondo. This poomsae is characterized by its easiness in practicing, largely consisting of walking and basic actions, such as arae-makki, momtong-makki, momtong-jireugi, and ap-chagi.
The 8th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
Taegeuk 2 Jang symbolizes the “Tae”, one of the 8 divination signs, which signifies the inner firmness and the outer softness. An introduction of the olgul-makki is a new development of Taegeuk poomsae. The ap-chagi actions appear more frequently than in Taegeuk 1 Jang.
The 7th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.
Taegeuk 3 Jang symbolizes the “Ra”, one of the 8 divination signs, which represent “hot and bright”. This is to encourage the trainees to harbor a sense of justice and ardor for training. A successful accomplishment of this poomsae will give the trainees a promotion to a blue belt. New actions are sonnal-mok-chigi and sonnal -makki and dwit-kubi stance. This poomsae is characterized by successive makki and chigi, and continued jireugis. Emphasis is laid on the counterattacks against the opponent’s chigi.
The 6th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae
Taegeuk 4 Jang symbolizes the “Jin”, one of the 8 divination signs, which represent the thunder meaning great power and dignity. New techniques are sonnal-momtong-makki, pyon-son-kkeut-jireugi, jebipoom-mok-chigi, yop-chagi, momtong- bakkat-makki, deung-jumeok-olgul-apchigi and mikkeurombal [slipping foot] techniques. Various movements in preparation for the kyorugi and lot of dwit-kubi cases characterize it. The 5th Kup-grade trainees practice this poomsae.