The mythological story about the foundimg of Korea says that about 4300 years ago, the nation was founded in Taebaek by Dangoon. In the present day Taebaek is known as Mount Baekdoo.
Mount Baekdoo is considered the highest and most beautiful mountain in Korea, a symbol of Korea itself, and is considered sacred by the Korean people. Poomse Taebaek has its basic principles of movement from the word Taebaek which means light. Every motion of Poomse Taebaek should be displayed precisely and nimbly but also with rigor and determined will so as to be indicative of Taebaek itself.
The word “Geumgang” originally meant being too strong to be broken. In Buddhism, what can break off every agony of mind with the combination of wisdom and virtue is called Geumgang.
Geumgang-seok in Korean means diamond - Geumgang in Taekwondo means movement based on spiritual strength that is as beautiful and majestic as the Diamond Mountains and hard and adamant as diamond.
The line and shape of the pattern corresponds to the Chinese Character for mountain. The Korean people named the most beautiful mountain in the Korean Peninsula Geumgang-san, which is located in the Taebaek mountain range. In the movement of Poomse Geumgang the sharp and endlessly changeable majestic spirit like that of the mountains should be displayed.
This section of the BTC blog contains everything adult students will need to assist them in learning their poomse. Videos are shown from the front and the back view, by numbers and in your own time. They are also available in HD!
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Koryo poomsae is represented by the Chinese character ‘seonbi’, which is both the line of the pattern, and means, a learned man of virtue who is characterised by a strong martial and moral spirit. This spirit has been inherited through the ages of Koguryo, Palhae and Koryo, and is the organising background of the Poomsae. The special ready position (tongmilgi) used in Koryo requires mental concentration focused by positioning the hands in between the upper abdomen, and the lower abdomen where ‘sin’ (divine) and ‘jeong’ (spirit) converge.
Koryo Depiction
Koryo
Koryo Techniques
Order
Stance
Technique(s)
Korean
Parallel
Left foot moves (Pushing-hand ready stance)
Tongmilgi jumbi-seogi
1
Back
Knifehand assisting block
Sonnal Momtong-makki
2
Front
Continuous side kick + outward knifehand strike + body punch
The symbol for Taegeuk four, ‘jin’ signifies thunder, which represents great power and dignity. Thunder and lightning strike fear into people; but thunder also creates energy. Correspondingly, the principle of this poomsae is to confront danger with calmness and courage in the form of powerful and focused movements.
Taegeuk eight symbolises the ‘kon,’ which represents ‘yin’ (c.f. Taegeuk 1) and Earth, meaning the source of all life, the root and settlement, and also the beginning and end. Everything arises from the Earth, receiving its nourishment and energy. The creative power of the heavens is embodied in the Earth. Taegeuk eight is the last pattern a student learns on the way to becoming a black belt. These basic patterns are revisited, and practiced again and again, until they are polished to perfection.
The Chinese character ‘kan,’ expressing Taegeuk seven symbolises the mountain – meaning ponderosity and firmness. A mountain is seemingly permanent and unmovable, yet they are constantly growing and changing. Humans seek to emulate these characteristics, moving forward and remaining still are both necessary when we want to achieve something.
Taegeuk Seven Depiction
Taegeuk 7
Taegeuk Seven Techniques
Order
Stance
Technique(s)
Korean
1
Tiger
Palm heel inner body block
Batangson momtong an-makki
2
Tiger
Front kick + body block
Ap-chagi + momtong makki
3
Tiger
Palm heel inner body block
Batangson momtong an-makki
4
Tiger
Front kick + body block
Ap-chagi + momtong makki
5
Back
Low knifehand assisting block
Sonnal arae-makki
6
Back
Low knifehand assisting block
Sonnal arae-makki
7
Tiger
Palm heel assisting inner body block + forward facing backfist
The symbol of water (‘kam’) characterises Taegeuk six, and means incessant flow and softness. Like water that always flows down, the movements here are fluid, flowing into one another. This image teaches us that difficulties and misfortune can be overcome if we proceed with confidence. The movements have been developed with this idea in mind, follow the flow of water; individual parts are bridged by kicking action of the feet.
The symbol of the wind (‘son’) represents Taegeuk five. In spite of turning into storms, wind also has a positive meaning, because wind disperses seeds and scatters dark clouds. Wind symbolizes a force of destruction as well as the power to build.
Taegeuk Five Depiction
Taegeuk Five Techniques
Order
Stance
Technique(s)
Korean
1
Front
Low block (release hand)
Arae-makki
2
Side Ease
Downward hammer fist
Mejumeok naeryo-chigi
3
Front
Low block (release hand)
Arae-makki
4
Side Ease
Downward hammer fist
Mejumeok naeryo-chigi
5
Front
Body block + Inner body block
Momtong makki + Momtong an-makki
6
Front
Front kick + forward facing backfist + Inner body block
Taegeuk three is symbolized by ‘ra,’ the sign of fire. This element encourages trainees to harbour a sense of justice and ardor for training. Through intelligence, humans were able to tame fire. Fire gives warmth and light to us; it excites us and gives us hope and confidence; but it also awakens passion, fear, and panic in us.
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