Meanings of the Hyung of Taekwondo for Young Children
These are the meanings of the first ten Hyung of Taekwondo, named by General Choi Hong Hi, the father of modern Taekwondo. These forms were named to honor famous leaders and events in Korea.
Chon Ji in Korean means "Heaven and Earth". It represents the beginning of the universe. Downblocks point toward earth and inner forearm blocks point toward heaven.
The symbol in the center of the Korean flag represents balance. In taekwondo, opposite things are balanced.
Dan Gun is named after Dan-Gun, who is said to have founded Korea in 2333 BC. The story of Dan Gun was used to help the Korean people resist invaders.
Do San honors the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876-1938). He was a leader who worked for Korean independence. He encouraged the people to become educated. The 24 movements represent his life.
Won Hyo was a monk who introduced Buddhism to Korea in 686 AD.
Yul Gok honors the scholar Yi I (1536-1584 AD) who is called the Confucius of Korea. The 38 movements refer to the location of his birthplace, and the diagram of the pattern represents the word "scholar."
Chung Gun honors the patriot Ahn Chung Gun (1879-1910). He killed Hirobumi Ito, a Japanese leader who was responsible for Japan ruling over Korea. As a result, Mr. Ahn was executed in 1910.
Toi Gye honors the scholar Yi Hwang, who taught a form of Confucianism. The 37 movements refer to the location of his birthplace, and the diagram of the pattern represents the word "scholar."
Hwa Rang is named after a youth group that practiced an early form of
Taekwondo. The group helped to reunite the three kingdoms of Korea. They had a set of
tenets, which are as follows:
1. Loyalty to the king.
2. Faithfulness to friends.
3. Devotion to parents.
4. Bravery and absolute obedience on the battlefield.
5. Forbidding unnecessary killing of any form of life.
The 29 movements represent the 29th infantry division of Korea, which developed modern
Taekwondo.
Chung Mu is another name of the great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin, who invented the Kobukson, or turtle boat, which is like a submarine. This ship was used to protect the Koreans from the Japanese navy. The form ends in a left hand attack because Chung Mu was killed before he could show his loyalty to the king.
Kwang Gae honors Kwang Gae T'o Wang, the 19th King of the Ko-Ku-Ryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including most of Manchuria. The diagram of the pattern represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory.
My appreciation to Wizzle for some of the background material.