Taegeuk (taekwondo)

Taeguk (in World Taekwondo Federation, or WTF, Taekwondo) refers to a set of pumsae used to create a foundation for the teaching of Taekwondo. A pumsae, or form, is represented by 形 or 型 and is a detailed pattern of defense-and-attack motions and techniques used in traditional martial arts. The word Taeguk (the Korean pronunciation of Taiji/T'ai Chi) refers to the important principle in east Asian Taoist thought of the union of yin and yang.

All students studying in WTF Kukkiwon style must learn these forms, or Taeguks, to advance to a higher belt level. There are eight Taeguks, each one similar to the previous one, but each time with more complicated techniques to display the students' mastery of the techniques learned during lessons as well as the ability to interconnect these techniques.

Each Taeguk symbolizes a specific state thought to be indicative of the belt the student currently holds before gaining a new belt, and is represented in WTF Taekwondo by trigrams similar to those found in the four corners of the South Korean flag.

In order to receive a Black Belt, the student must perform all Taeguks consecutively.

Each Dan (degree of Black Belt) also has its own associated form, required for belt testing. The first degree form for the WTF is called Koryo.

The Palgwe forms are a slightly older, somewhat similar supplemental group of WTF pumse. There are eight Palgwe forms that also represent eight trigrams from I-Ching.

The International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) has its own sequence of pumse. They are named after figures from Korean history and are less formulaic than the WTF's Taeguk and Palgwe pumse. The first nine, which are required for 1st degree black belt, are named after significant Korean historical figures or concepts: Chonji, Dangun, Dosan, Wonhyo, Yulgok, Junggon, Toegye, Hwarang, and Chungmu.

Various schools sometimes insert one of a variety of other forms before Taeguk Il-jang"

Taeguks by Belt Level

Many schools require that form practice begins with a bow to the flag and/or instructor, however the motions of the forms themselves do not require the bow, nor is it necessary in personal practice.

Eighth Gup

(Taegeuk Il-jang)

Turn 90° to the left into a walking stance with left foot forward; left low block
Step forward into walking stance with right foot forward; right hand middle punch
Turn 180° over your right shoulder into a walking stance with right foot forward; right low block
Step forward into walking stance with left foot forward; left hand middle punch
Turn 90° to the left into a front stance with left foot forward; left low block; right middle punch
Turn 90° to the right into a walking stance with right foot forward; left inside block
Step forward into walking stance with left foot forward; right hand middle punch
Turn 180° over your left shoulder into a walking stance with left foot forward; right inside block
Step forward into walking stance with right foot forward; left hand middle punch
Turn 90° to the right into a front stance with right foot forward; right low block; left middle punch
Turn 90° to the left into a walking stance with left foot forward; left high block
Right front kick, foot placed down into walking stance with right foot forward; right middle punch
Turn 180° over your right shoulder into a walking stance with right foot forward; right high block
Left front kick, foot placed down into walking stance with left foot forward; left middle punch
Turn 90° to the right into a front stance with left foot forward; left low block
Step forward into a front stance with right foot forward; right middle punch; kihap

Seventh Gup

(Taegeuk Ee-jang)

Turn 90 degrees to the left into a walking stance with left foot forward; left arm low block
Step forward into front stance with right foot forward; right arm middle punch
Turn 180 degrees to the right into walking stance with right foot forward; right arm low block
Step forward into front stance with left foot forward; left arm middle punch
Turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward; right arm middle block
Step forward into walking stance with right foot forward; left arm middle block
Turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward; left arm low block
Right foot front snap kick, landing in front stance with right foot forward; right arm high punch
Turn 180 degrees to the right into walking stance with right foot forward; right arm low block
Left foot front snap kick, landing in front stance with left foot forward; left arm high punch
Turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward; left arm rising block
Step forward into walking stance with right foot forward; right arm rising block
Turn 270 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward; right arm middle block
Turn 180 degrees to the right into walking stance with right foot forward; left arm middle block
Turn 90 degrees to the left into walking stance with left foot forward; left arm low block
Right foot front snap kick, landing in walking stance with right foot forward; right arm middle punch
Left foot front snap kick, landing in walking stance with left foot forward; left arm middle punch
Right foot front snap kick, landing in walking stance with right foot forward; right arm middle punch; kiap

Sixth Gup

(Taegeuk Sam-Jang)

Turn to left hand side of flag/instructor, left Low Block
Right side Front Kick, right punch, left punch
Turn behind flag to right hand side of flag/instructor, right Low Block
Left side Front Kick,left punch, right punch
Turn to flag/instructor, right hand Knife Hand Neck Strike
Left hand Knife Hand Neck Strike
Turn to left hand side of flag/instructor, left hand Guarding Block in Back Stance
Right punch in Front Stance
Turn to right hand side of flag/instructor, right hand Guarding Block in Back Stance
Left punch in Front Stance
Turn to flag/instructor, right hand Inside Middle Block
left hand Inside Middle Block
270 degree turn to right hand side of flag/instructor, left Low Block
Right side Front Kick, right punch, left punch
Turn to left hand side of flag/instructor, right Low Block
Left side Front Kick,left punch, right punch
Turn away from flag/instructor, left Low Block, reverse (right) punch
Right Low Block, reverse (left) punch
Left Front Kick, left Low Block, reverse (right) punch
Right Front Kick, right Low Block, reverse (left) punch, kihap with punch
Turn to flag/instructor, using right foot as a pivot.
Stand at attention

Fifth Gup

(Taegeuk Saa-jang)

Left Back Stance, Middle Guarding Knife Hand Block
Right Walking Stance, Middle Spear Finger Strike
Right Back Stance, Middle Guarding Knife Hand Block
Left Walking Stance, Middle Spear Finger Strike
90 degree turn Left into Left Walking Stance, Swallow Knife Hand Strike (right hand striking, left hand blocking)
Right Front Kick, into Right Walking Stance, Right hand punch
Left Sidekick, into Left Back Stance, Right Sidekick, into Right Back Stance, Middle Guarding Knife Hand Block
270 degree t urn into Right Back Stance, In-Out Forearm Block
Right Foot Front Kick to the Left, back to Right Back Stance and Right hand Out-In Forearm Block
Stance shift to Left Back Stance, In-Out Forearm Block
Left Foot Front Kick to the Right, back to Left Back Stance and Left hand Out-In Forearm Block
90 degrees Left into Left Walking Stance, Swallow Knife Hand Strike (Left Blocking and Right Striking)
Right Foot Front Kick into Right Walking Stance, Right hand Backfist Strike
90 degrees Left into Left Walking Stance, Left hand Out-In Forearm Block, Reverse punch
180 degrees Right into Right Walking Stance, Right hand Out-In Forearm Block, Reverse punch
90 degrees Left into Left Walking Stance, Left hand Out-In Forearm Block, Reverse punch, punch
Right Walking Stance, Right hand Out-In Forearm Block, Reverse punch, punch; Kihap

Fourth Gup

(Taegeuk O-jang)

Turn Left into Left Front Stance, Left hand Low Block
Left foot comes back next to the right foot, Left hand Hammer Fist downwards
Turn Right into Right Front Stance, Right Hand Low Block
Right foot comes back next to the left foot, Right hand Hammer Fist downwards
Advance forward into Left Front Stance, Left hand Out-In Forearm Block, Right hand Out-In Forearm Block
Right foot Front Snap Kick into Right Front Stance, Right hand Backfist, Left hand Out-In Forearm Block
Left foot Front Snap Kick into Left Front Stance, Left hand Backfist, Right hand Out-In Forearm Block
Advance Right foot forward into Left Back Stance, Right hand Back Fist as side attack
Left foot 90 degrees to the right into Right Back Stance, Middle Guarding Knife Hand Block
Right Front Stance, Right hand precision Elbow Strike
Left Back Stance, Middle Guarding Knife Hand Block
Left Front Stance, Left hand precision Elbow Strike
90 degrees Left into Left Front Stance, Left hand Low Block, Right hand Out-In Forearm Block
Right foot Front Snap Kick into Right Front Stance, Right hand Low Block, Left hand Out-In Forearm Block
90 degrees Left into Left Walking Stance, Left hand High Block
Right foot Sidekick and Right hand punch together into Right Front Stance, Left hand Elbow Strike targeting Right hand
180 degrees into Right Walking Stance, Right hand High Block
Left foot Sidekick and Right hand punch together into Left Front Stance, Right hand Elbow Strike targeting Left hand
90 degrees Left into Left Front Stance, Left hand Low Block, Right hand Out-In Forearm Block
Right foot Front Snap Kick jump executing Rolling Backfist, land in an X-Stance Right foot planted Left foot on ball of foot; Kihap.
Turn to flag/instructor, using right foot as a pivot.
Stand at attention (Barro)

Third Gup

(Taegeuk Yuk-jang)

From Junbi Stance
Turn 90 degrees left into Left Front Stance, Left hand Low Block
Right Leg Front kick
place kicking leg behind the left foot into a Back Stance while at the same time do a Left In-out Forearm Block.
Turn 180 degrees to the right into left Right Front Stance, Right hand Low Block
Left Leg Front Kick
place kicking leg behind the right foot into a Back Stance while at the same time do a Right In-out Forearm Block.
Turn 90 degrees to the left into a Left Front Stance, Right hand Middle Chop Block
Right Leg Roundhouse Kick (Some Schools Kiap), and drop into Horse Stance facing 90 degrees left
Step into a Left Font Stance, left In-out Forearm Block, Right hand Middle Punch
Right leg Front Kick stepping into right Front Stance, left middle punch
Turn 180 degrees right into right Front Stance, Right hand In-out Forearm Block, left hand middle punch
Left Leg Front Kick stepping into Left Front Stance, Right hand Punch
Turn 90 degrees left into a Ready Stance, bring both hands crossed over the head and do a slow Double Low Block
Step into Right Front Stance, Left hand Middle Chop Block
Left Leg Round House Kick (Kihap), and drop then spin 270 degrees right
Right Front Stance, Right hand Low Block
Left Leg Front Kick
place kicking leg behind the right foot into a Back Stance while at the same time do a Right In-out Forearm Block.
Turn 180 degrees to the left into left Left Front Stance, Left hand Low Block
Right Leg Front kick
place kicking leg behind the left foot into a Back Stance while at the same time do a left in-out forearm block.
Taking right foot, step 90 degrees to the right into a Left Leg Front Back Stance, Right double edge knife Block
Stepping back into Right Leg front Back Stance, Left double edge knife block
Stepping back into Left Front Stance, Left low pushing Block, Right hand Middle Punch
Stepping back into Right Front Stance, Right low Pushing Block, Left hand Middle Punch
Return to Junbi Stance

Second Gup

(Taegeuk Chil-jang)

Turn left 90° into left foot forward tiger stance with right hand palm block across.
Right foot front snap kick stepping down behind in left foot forward tiger stance with left hand inside block.
Turn right 180° into right foot forward tiger stance with left hand palm block across.
Left foot front snap kick stepping down behind in right foot forward tiger stance with right hand inside block.
Turn left 90° into left foot forward back stance with twin knife-hand down block.
Step forward into right foot forward back stance with twin knife-hand down block.
Turn left 90° into left foot forward tiger stance with a right hand palm block across placing a left knife-hand under and behind the right elbow. Follow with a right hand back fist.
Turn right 180° into right foot forward tiger stance with a left hand palm block across placing a right knife-hand under and behind the left elbow. Follow with a left hand back fist.
Pivot on right foot counterclockwise 90° bringing left foot next to the right while extending both hands up over the head and swinging them out and down to the waist then up the body positioning them before the chest with the left fist in the right palm.
Step forward into left foot forward front stance with double scissor block. (second scissor block should be with left hand executing the down block)
Step forward into right foot forward front stance with a triple scissor block. (third scissor block should be with right hand executing the down block)
Pivot on right foot counterclockwise 90° into left foot forward front stance with spreading block.
Execute right knee strike and step down in front bringing the left foot up behind into an X stance with a double *Step back into right leg forward front stance with low X block.
Pivot on left foot clockwise 180° into right foot forward front stance with spreading block.
Execute left knee strike and step down in front bringing the right foot up behind into an X stance with a double upper cut to the body.
Step back into left leg forward front stance with low X block.
Step back and turn left 90° into left leg forward walking stance with left hand back fist.
Execute a right foot crescent kick striking the palm of the left hand stepping down in front into a horse stance facing left with a right elbow strike across striking the palm of the left hand.
Step up with the left foot into a right foot forward walking stance with right hand back fist.
Execute a left foot crescent kick striking the palm of the right hand stepping down in front into a horse stance facing right with a left elbow strike across striking the palm of the right hand. Followed by a left hand single knife-hand block.
Step forward into a right foot forward horse stance with a right hand lunge punch and Kihap

First Gup

(Taegeuk Pal-jang)

Step forward with left foot into back stance with an outside block, fist forward. Right fist over solar-plexus.
Step out into left foot forward front stance with right reverse middle punch.
Jumping single front snap kick left leg high with a YELL! landing left foot forward front stance with left inside block, followed by right reverse middle punch then left middle punch.
Step forward into right foot forward front stance with right hand middle punch.
Pivot on right foot counterclockwise 90° into a rear facing front stance (right leg is bent, and you are facing your left leg) with a right hand mountain block and left hand down block.
Pivot on both feet into a forward facing front stance and pull left fist into right shoulder while executing a right hand upper cut.
Left foot step back behind right foot into an X stance and turn right 180° then step out with right foot into rear facing front stance (left leg bent and you are facing right leg) with a left hand mountain block and right hand down block.
Pivot on both feet into a forward facing front stance and pull right fist into left shoulder while executing a left hand upper cut.
Pivot on left foot counterclockwise 90° into a left foot forward back stance with twin knife hand middle block.
Step out with left foot into front stance reverse middle punch.
Right leg front snap kick stepping back down in original stance, then step back into right leg forward tiger stance with a right hand palm block down.
Turn 90° left into a right foot back backstance with a single left hand knifehand block.
From the same stance execute a left leg front snap kick then step into a left foot forward front stance with a reverse middle punch.
Step back into a left foot forward tiger stance with a left hand palm block across.
Turn right 180° into right foot forward backstance, right hand single knifehand block.
From the same stance execute a right leg front snap kick then step into a right foot forward front stance with a reverse middle punch.
Step back into a right foot forward tiger stance with a right hand palm block across.
Turn 90° Right into a back stance with a double down block (right hand low in front, left hand over solar-plexus).
Jump forward into jumping double front snap kick, left leg low, right leg high and YELL! Land right foot forward in a front stance followed by a right hand inside block, left hand reverse middle punch then right hand middle punch.
Pivot on front right foot counterclockwise 90° into left foot forward back stance with a left hand single knifehand block.
Step out into left foot forward front stance with a right elbow strike across, then right hand backfist strike, then left hand middle punch.
Turn right 180° into right foot forward back stance with a right hand single knifehand block.
Step out into right foot forward front stance with a left elbow strike across, then left hand backfist strike, then right hand middle punch.

First Dan Black Belt

(Koryo)

Bring both hands, open, to slightly above head level, palms forward. This is a "look to heaven"
Turn 90 degrees counterclockwise, dual middle knifehand blocks in left back stance
Step forward, right low side kick, followed by right high side kick without dropping leg
Right high knifehand strike (palm down) in right front stance
Left hand middle reverse punch
Move left foot, right inward middle forearm block in right back stance
Turn 180 degrees clockwise, dual middle knifehand blocks in right back stance
Step forward, left low side kick, followed by left high side kick without dropping leg
Left high knifehand strike (palm down) in left front stance
Right hand middle reverse punch
Move right foot, left inward middle forearm block in left back stance
Turn 90 degrees counterclockwise, left low knifehand/forearm block in left front stance
Right hand reverse open hand thrust (done with the inner edge of the hand between thumb and first finger, and done as a strike to the throat)
Step forward, right front kick, on landing right low knifehand/forearm block in right front stance
Left reverse open hand thrust (as above)
Step forward, left front kick, then left low knifehand/forearm block in left front stance
Right reverse open hand thrust (as above).Yell! (Ki-Hap)
Step forward, right front kick, on landing knee break (grab opponent's heel with the right hand at belt level. Then pull that hand into your chest while, at the same time, pushing downward on the attacker's knee with the left hand) in right front stance
Turn 180 degrees clockwise, middle forearm spreading blocks in right front stance
Step forward, left front kick, on landing knee break (as above) in left front stance. Then middle forearm spreading blocks in same stance
Pivot on left foot, turn 90 degrees clockwise, withdrawing the right foot behind you into left horse stance, left outward knifehand block, right fist at belt
Remain in horse stance, right middle hook punch (draw it across body into the palm of the left open hand)
Move forward, cross the right foot over the left foot, chamber both fists to the right hip, left high side kick, drop the left foot in front, then rotate
Turn 180 degrees clockwise, left low reverse spear thrust (right fist at left shoulder to block) in right front stance
Remain in stance, pull slightly back, right low forearm block
Move forward, left middle inward palm block in left front stance
Move forward, right elbow strike (supporting right fist in left palm) in right horse stance
Remain in stance, right middle knifehand block (left fist chambered at belt)
Left middle hook punch (as above)
Move forward, cross left foot over right foot, chamber both fists to the left hip, right high side kick, drop the right foot in front, then rotate
Turn 180 degrees counterclockwise, right low reverse spear thrust (as above) in left front stance
Remain in stance, pull slightly back, left low forearm block
Move forward, right middle inward palm block in right front stance
Move forward, left elbow strike (supporting left fist in right palm) in left horse stance
Slide your left foot inward and adjacent to the right foot... Raise both hands (open) above your head in an arcing motion then, bring them down into a left low hammerfist strike (into the right palm) (Slowly & exhaling!)
Pivot on the right foot turn 180 degrees counterclockwise, left outward knifehand strike (to attacker's neck) in left front stance
Remain in stance, left low knifehand/forearm block
Move forward, right inward knifehand strike (head/neck level) in right front stance
Remain in stance, right low knifehand/forearm block
Move forward, left inward knifehand strike (head/neck level) in left front stance
Remain in stance, left low knifehand/forearm block
Move forward, right open hand thrust (to attacker's throat). Kihap

Second Dan Black Belt

(Keumgang)

Step forward double low wedging block.
Step high palm strike.
Step high palm strike.
Step high palm strike.
Step back inward knife-hand chop.
Step back inward knife-hand chop.
Step back inward knife-hand chop.
Turn -90°, then in bending stance, slow diamond block.
Step into horse-riding stance hook punch.
Step around 360°, into horse-riding stance hook punch.
Turn out to horse-riding stance 'W' block, stamp & kihup.
Turn in 180° double wedging block.
Feet together, slow double lower body block.
Turn out to horse-riding stance 'W' block, stamp.
Turn 90°, then in bending stance, slow diamond block.
Step into horse-riding stance hook punch.
Step around 360°, into horse-riding stance hook punch.
Bending stance, slow diamond block.
Step into horse-riding stance hook punch.
Step around 360°, into horse-riding stance hook punch.
Turn out to horse-riding stance 'W' block, stamp & kihup.
Turn in 180° double wedging block.
Feet together, slow double lower body block.
Turn out to horse-riding stance 'W' block, stamp.
Turn 90°, then in bending stance, slow diamond block.
Step into horse-riding stance hook punch.
Step around 360°, into horse-riding stance hook punch.

Third Dan Black Belt

(Taebaek)

Fourth Dan Black Belt

(Pyongwong)

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