What Poomsae do I learn?

A Poomsae is a series of fundamental movements, mainly defense and attack, set in a logical sequence to
deal with one or more imaginary opponents. Poomsae are an indication of a student’s progress, a barometer
in evaluating an individual’s technique.

Poomsae are practiced to improve Taekwondo techniques. When practicing students develop flexibility of
movement, master body shifting, improve sparring technique, balance and breath control. Poomsae enable
students to acquire techniques, which cannot be obtained from other forms of training.

The purpose of the Kibon forms is to show the development of basic techniques and show understanding of block and strike preparation, balance, and focus. Kibon Il-jang is the simplest of all the Poomsaes and will only be described in text the same way as the following Taegeuk Poomsaes.

Taegeuk Il-jang represents heaven (keon) and represents the beginning of things (light and rain come from the heavens and nurture growth) and end (death, place in heaven, rebirth).

Taegeuk Ee-jang represents "joyfulness" (Tae) and is meant to represent strength underneath the appearance of gentleness. Moves should be performed gently (slowly) but with force.

Taegeuk Sam-jang represents fire, sun, and heat. The moves should be performed with "snap" and passion. Combination moves following quickly from the previous technique.

Taegeuk Sa-jang represents thunder, the object of fear and trepidation as a youth. The techniques should be performed with force and with a cadence slightly slower than the previous forms

Taegeuk O-jang represents the wind and, like the wind, techniques change from a quick and fast to heavier and more powerful, e.g. a rapid low-section block opens the form but swiftly changes to a slower yet still powerful hammer fist strike. Similarly, the turns are
performed quickly to represent the twisting movements of a tornado, the techniques snapping into place before moving onto the linear components.

Taegeuk Yuk-jang represents water and its formlessness and adaptability. Techniques are
performed fluidly, but also showing twisting techniques to adapt to the lines of attack and defense (e.g. the twisting knife-hand block).

Taegeuk Chil-jang represents the mountain. The techniques are tighter and closer, e.g. tiger
stance, and performed with strength and power. For example, the scissor blocks are sometimes
performed as a "window wiper" motion, but they should be performed powerfully with the
techniques snapping into place with force and control. The cadence of this pattern is once again slightly slower than with others.

The final of the Taegeuk forms, Taegeuk Pal-jang symbolizes the earth as source of
life. Combining both swift and slower, more powerful techniques, it has a fast overall
cadence in a similar light to Taegeuk Sam-jang. Techniques should be performed with control,
precision, and complete with the movement of the body into the stances. Remember that
there are two kihap in the pattern, each on the jumping technique, and there is no kihap at the
end of the form.

Koryo is the name of a significant dynasty in Korea associated not only with invention
and cultural advancement, but also with strong defense from the Mongolians who occasionally
tried to sweep across Korean. The pattern should be performed with poise
and balance, especially in the opening double side kicks and the transition from the side kicks
into the low-section supported spear-finger thrust. Techniques should also be performed with conviction and show solid reaction force.
This is the initial Poomsae performed by a 1st Degree Black Belt to test for 2nd Degree.

금강 (geumgang), which means diamond, symbolises hardness, or that which is too strong to be broken. This form refers to the mountain called 금강산 (Keumgangsan), which is considered the centre of Korean national spirit, and is a symbol of immovability and the immutability. Just as a diamond exhibits hardness, and beauty through clarity, this form must express the spiritual strength necessary to cut through all distractions presented by life.
This is the initial Poomsae performed by a 2nd Degree Black Belt to test for 3rd Degree.

태백 (Taebaek), meaning “bright mountain”, is the name of a mountain in Korean mythology, from where the legendary founder of Korea, 단군 왕검 (Dan-gun Wanggeom), is thought to have ruled the nation. Numerous places are known as 태백 (Taebaek), one of which is 백두산 (Baekdusan), an iconic mountain on the Korean peninsula. This form venerates this most sacred of mountains. Since this mountain reaches to the sun, Taebaek can be defined as “light” and must be performed with the agility of light.
​This is the initial Poomsae performed by a 3rd Degree Black Belt to test for 4th Degree.