FORMS

"Heaven and Earth"
The word CHON in Korean means heaven and JI means earth. Combined they mean creation or universe, a beginning. Therefore, CHON-JI is the initial pattern learned by the beginner. The pattern consists of two similar parts, one representing heaven, one representing earth.
19 Movements

"Holy Founder of Korea" 2333 B.C.
Land of the Morning Calm
Dan-Gun Wang-Gum, Lord of the Pak-Tal Tree
It is said in Korean history that Dan-Gun was born of a bear that was turned into a perfect woman and Whang-Ung the human form of the Son of the Creator. This could be the reason why the most powerful clan of earliest Koreans were called the Bear Totem Family.
21 Movements

"Pseudonym of the Korean Patriot An Chang-Ho" 1876-1938
An Chang-Ho was an integral force in supporting and keeping preserved Korean culture, independence, and education when Japanese oppression was attempting to eradicate the Korean culture. An Chang-Ho established support groups in the USA and secretly in Korea to keep the Korean culture preserved. He also headed a historical commission to compile materials related to Korea during the time of Japanese occupation there.
24 Movements

"Sol-Sedang meaning Dawn"
Named after the Monk who brought Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty 617-686 A.D. Won-Hyo was one of the most influential and one of the most prolific of the monks of the 7th century. He was often asked to give sermons, conduct services, and recite prayers to the royal court even when Buddhism was not yet accepted by the general population. In 662 A.D. he left the priesthood to teach Buddhism to the lower classes.
28 Movements

"Confucius of Korea"
Pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I 1536-1585 A.D.
The 38 movements of this pattern represent the birthplace of Yi I at 38 degrees of latitude. Yi I developed the "Western" school of thought regarding Confucian scholar Chu-Hsi. Yi I believed that CHI was the controlling agent in the universe and LI supported CHI. Controversially, Yi TOI-GYE (Yi Hwang) believed the opposite. LI controlling the universe was considered the "Eastern" school of thought. Yi I was very concerned with sincerity, loyalty, and individual improvement. He held many high offices including Minister of Defense.
38 Movements

An Joong Gun, Korean Patriot 1879-1910
An Joong-Gun was responsible for the assassination of Japanese Governor-General of Korea, Hirobumi Ito. [Ito, the first Japanese resident of Korea, was mostly responsible for the weakening of the Korean Government and the Japanese takeover due to the signing of the "Protectorate Treaty," giving Japan the right to occupy Korea.] As a result of this assassination, Mr. An was imprisoned, and tortured for five months before at the age of 32 was executed in a Lui-Shung prison. The 32 movements of JOONG-GUN represent his age at the time of his execution on March 26, 1910.
32 Movements

Yi Toi-Gye "Returning Stream"
Yi Hwang was an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements represent his birthplace at 37 degrees of latitude. The diagram of the form represents scholar.
37 movements

Hwa Rang was named after the Hwa Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty about 1350 years ago. This group became the driving force behind the unifacation of the three kingdoms of Korea. The 29 movements represent the 29th Infantry Division where Tae Kwon Do developed into maturity.
29 movements

Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty
He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship, the Kobukson in 1592 A.D. - the precursor to the modern day submarine. This pattern ends in a left handed attack to symbolize his regrettable death, having not yet reached his full potential.
30 movements