Taegeuk
Taegeuk, when loosely translated, means Great Eternity or Eternal Greatness. The idealisms of Taegeuk, which every student should learn are: pacifism, unity, creative spirit, future spirit, and eternity. The Taegeuk has the same symbolism as the Palgwe. J. R. Kim (Taekwondo: Basic Techniques Taegeuk Poomse) says the “Taegeuk Poomse integrates the methods of attack, defense, forward movement and retreat, control of the speed of movements, and the intensity of the actions. The directions and lines of movement are represented by the eight symbols of ‘Palgwe.’ The overall purpose of Poomse is to control the breathing to be synchronized while executing techniques requiring great speed.
There are 8 Taegeuk Poomses
- Taegeuk Il Jang (8th Geup)- Heaven
- Taegeuk Ee Jang (7th Geup)- Lake
- Taegeuk Sam Jang (6th Geup)- Fire
- Taegeuk Sa Jang (5th Geup)- Thunder
- Taegeuk Oh Jang (4th Geup)- Wind
- Taegeuk Yuk Jang (3th Geup)- Water
- Taegeuk Chil Jang (2th Geup)- Mountain
- Taegeuk Pal Jang (First Geup)- Earth
Taegeuk Forms Compressed
|
Taegeuk Name |
Meaning |
Motions |
Kicks |
Punches |
Kiups |
Symbol |
|
The beginning of the universe. |
18 |
2 |
9 |
1 |
Heaven-Keon |
|
Inside strong, outside fragile. |
18 |
5 |
7 |
1 |
Lake-Tae |
|
Hot and bright like fire. |
20 |
6 |
14 |
1 |
Fire-Ri |
|
Pious attitude, yet dignified. |
20 |
6 |
7 |
1 |
Thunder-Jin |
|
Wind, breeze and strong wind. |
20 |
6 |
0 |
2 |
Wind-Sohn |
|
Flexible, pliable like water. |
23 |
8 |
6 |
2 |
Water-Gam |
|
Mountain, massive or great. |
25 |
4 |
1 |
1 |
Mountain-Gahn |
|
The ground (Earth), sky and land. |
24 |
6 |
12 |
2 |
Earth-Kohn |
