(To all readers: Kel-West Society of Martial Arts
recognizes the original 24 Chang-Hon style patterns (with sine-wave) as taught
and developed by the founder of Taekwon-Do- The Webmaster)
The ancient law in the Orient was similar to the law of Hamurabi, "an
eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth," and was rigorously enforced even
if death was caused accidentally.
In this type of environment, and since the present system of free
sparring had not yet been developed, it was impossible for a student ofthe martial arts to practice or test his individual skill of attack and
defense against actual moving opponents.
Individual advancement was certainly hindered until an imaginative
practitioner created the first patterns.
Patterns are various fundamental movements, most of which represent
either attack or defence techniques, set to a fixed or logical sequence.
The student systematically deals with several imaginary opponents
under various assumptions, using every available attacking and blocking
tool from different directions. Thus, patterns practice enables the
student to go through many fundamental movements in series, to develop
sparring techniques, improve flexibility of movements, master body
shifting, build muscles and breath control, develop fluid and smooth
motions, and gain rhythmical movements.
It also enables a student to acquire certain special techniques
which cannot be obtained from either fundamental exercises or sparring.
In short, a pattern can be compared with a unit tactic or a word, if
fundamental movement is an individual soldier's training or alphabet.
Accordingly, patterns, the ledger of every movement, are a series of
sparring, power, feats and characteristic beauty.
Though sparring may merely indicate that an opponent is more or less
advanced, patterns are a more critical barometer in evaluating an
individual's technique.
The following points should be considered while performing patterns:
1. Pattern should begin and end at exactly the same spot. This will
indicate the performer's accuracy.
2. Correct posture and facing must be
maintained at all times.
3. Muscles of the body should be either tensed
or relaxed at the proper critical moments in the exercise.
4. The exercise should be performed in a rhythmic movement
with an absence of stiffness.
5. Movement should be accelerated or decelerated according to
the instructions in the encyclopedia (Taekwon-Do:
The Korean Art of Self-Defence).
6. Each pattern should be perfected before
moving to the next.
7. Students should know the purpose of each movement.
8. Students should perform each movement with realism.
9. Attack and defense techniques should be equally distributed
among right and left hands and feet.
All patterns in the encyclopedia are performed under the assumption the
student is facing "D" (see pattern diagram for Saju Jirugi).
There are a total of 24 TUL (patterns) in Taekwon-Do. General Choi,
Hong Hi (the founder), explains the reason for 24 patterns as:
"It is evident that no one can live more than a limited amount
of time.
Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to
materialism, as if they could live for thousands of years.
Some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for
coming generations and, in this way, gain immortality.
Obviously, the spirit is perpetual, whereas the material
is not.
Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something
for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important
thing in our lives. Here, I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as
a trace of man of the late 20th century. The 24 patterns
represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life."
Copyright � 1966-2004 International Taekwon-Do Federation
Sine-Wave: (Hwaldung Pahdo)
Kel-West Society of Martial Arts advocates the use
of sine-wave in both 'patterns' and 'step-sparring' training, which
employs a highly scientific and evolved approach to the martial arts.
Sine-wave motion theorizes that, when the body's torso is raised and
lowered (in conjunction with proper knee-spring, hip movement,
correct breathing and muscle relaxation) more power is generated
when blocking and punching than if the upper body were to remain
stiff (as taught in japanese karate)*. Also, as the body is raised
(and lowered) the downward motion of the block or strike
- through gravity - creates more power, as proven in the
science of physics.
Sine-wave has to be performed, naturally! If you use exaggerated
sinewave, then your technique will look "goofy" and you will also
lose power and your balance and footwork will suffer.
Sine-wave is best learned at a training hall and not necesarily
from a web-site ! In our opinion, if you really want to learn martial
arts properly, your computer training can only assist you in a limited
way. Students benefit most from a "live" and qualified black-belt
instructor.
Also, Kel-West does not recommend that colored belts (or parents)
teach their children the Taekwon-Do patterns. If you have a question
you should wait until the next class and speak with your instructor.
Anyone with a question on patterns (and sinewave) can also email
the Kel-West Head Instructor.
To send us an email, please click on envelope (on right): 
The Interpretation of Patterns:
The names of the patterns, the number of movements, and the
diagramatic symbol of each pattern symbolizes either heroic
figures in Korean history or instances relating to historical
events.
SAJU-JIRUGI: (14 moves)
means "four-directional punch." Saju Jirugi is afundamental exercise practiced by all beginners. It has no
historical significance, since it is not a pattern. This is a
required exercise for all Yellow-Stripe testing candidates.
To print out a paper version of SAJU-JIRUGI, click here.
Otherwise, click on the YOU-TUBE video (below): (Note: CD-Legacy patterns
video courtesy of www.comdo.com)
SAJU-MAKGI: (16 moves)
means "four directional block." Saju Magki is afundamental exercise practiced by all beginners. It has
no historical significance, since it is not a pattern. This
is a required exercise for all Yellow-Stripe testing
candidates (age 10 and over).
To print out a paper version of SAJU-MAGKI, click here.
Otherwise, click on the YOU-TUBE video (below): (Note: CD-Legacy patterns
video courtesy of www.comdo.com)
CHON-JI: (19 moves)
means literally, "the Heaven the Earth". It is, (inthe Orient), interpreted as the creation of the world or the
beginning of human history. Therefore, it is the initial pattern
played by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar
parts; one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth.
This pattern is a requirement of all students (age 10 and over)
testing for Yellow-Belt.
DAN-GUN: (21 moves)
is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder ofKorea in the year of 2333 B.C.
DO-SAN: (24 moves)
is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938).
was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla
is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar, Yi I
is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated
is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century),
is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in
was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the