I’m recording these not only to demonstrate the forms, but to improve my execution of them. So they will BE CONTINUALLY REPLACED when I get a chance. The ranks shown are the traditional TKD ranks followed by the ranks of my unique TKD school (including school form). Ranks vary by school & organization.
Note on forms: Within the diverse & broader Tae Kwon Do family, there is variance with these forms. Different TKD organizations & schools will execute each, perhaps, slightly differently. And that’s okay. It reflects the diversity in this family of martial art, & the classic diffusion & incremental evolution of the art (and any martial art).
Chon Ji (White Belt & Yellow Stripe): (created 1962-64) Literally, “Heaven & Earth,” representing the beginning. Thus the first form.
Dan Gun (Yellow Belt or Orange Belt with Warriors of American TKD [hereafter WTKD]): (created 1962-64) Named for the legendary founder of Korea some 4,000 years ago. It has 3 high punches to the front & 3 high blocks to the rear symbolizing his famously climbing a mountain.
Do San (Yellow Belt w/ Green Stripe): (created 1962-64) Named for a Korean patriot devoted to education & independence.
Pa-Ru (Warriors of American TKD school form, Yellow Belt & Orange Stripe)
Won Hyo traditional version (Green Belt): (created 1962-64) Named for the monk who brought Buddhism to Korea some 1,500 years ago.
Won Hyo Warriors of American TKD version (Purple Belt & Green Stripe)
Yul Kok (Green Belt w/ Blue Stripe; at WTKD Green Belt & Brown Stripe): (created 1962-64) Named for the “Confucius of Korea.” The form diagram is the Korean word for “scholar” & its 38 movements represent the 38th parallel where he was born.
Chung Gun (Blue Belt; at WTKD Brown Belt & Red Stripe): (created 1962-64) Named for the Korean patriot who assassinated the 1st Japanese governor of colonized Korea. Its 32 movements represent his age when arrested & executed in 1910 for the assassination.
Toi Gye (Blue Belt w/ Red Stripe; at WTKD Red Belt): (created 1962-64) Named for the Korean scholar of neo-Confucianism. It’s 37 movements represent where he was born & the diagram is also “scholar.”
Hwa Rang (Red Belt; at WTKD 1st black stripe): (created 1955) The first TKD form created, named for the Silla Dynasty “Flower Youth.” Its 29 movements symbolize the 29th infantry division where TKD blossomed.
Chung Mu (Red Belt w/ Black Stripe; at WTKD 2nd Black Stripe): (created 1955) Named for a noted admiral of the 16th century, Yi Sun-Shin, who fought the Japanese in Korea. The form ends with a left-handed attack symbolizing Yi’s death (left is associated with death in Korea), having been shot in battle.” Chungmu-gong” was the title posthumously given him, as others of like valor, “Lord of Loyalty & Valor.”
Kwang Gae (1st degree [dan] Black Belt; at WTKD 2nd Black Stripe): (created 1962-64) Named for a Korean king who regained lost territory. Its diagram symbolizes expansion & recovery of territory. Defense to offense. Its 39 movements symbolize the year 391 C.E.
Po Eun (1st Dan Black Belt): (created 1962-64) Named for a noted poet known for his undying loyalty. The form is linear, and exactly (loyally) the same in each direction.
Gae Baek (1st Dan Black Belt): (created 1961) Named for a general of 1,400 years ago; its movements symbolize strict discipline.
Eui Am (2nd Dan Black Belt) — this one is crap, but working on it: Named for the leader of the 1919 Korean independence movement.
The other 2nd Dan forms (both regular & sine-wave); various practitioners.