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Title [Martial Arts Globe] Learning Korean History through ITF Taekwondo – Part. 1

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    17-06-2022
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Photo by Camila Sanabria on Unsplash.This photo is not directly related to the writing.


Learning Korean History through ITF Taekwondo – Part. 1

 Kim Yong-woo


Author Introduction: Currently engaging in disign industry and interested in various kinds of martial arts. He has experienced several kinds of martial arts including Taekwondo (both ITF and WT), kick boxing and Muay Thai. Based on his experience and research on martial arts, he is aiming to launch webtoon(web+cartoon) and other media contents related to martial arts.

Have you ever heard of ITF taekwondo? In WT taekwondo, hyeong (型) - more commonly known as Poomsae – are forms of techniques that include TaegukⅠ to Ⅷ, Goryeo and Taebaek. Karate has the functionally similar ‘Kata.’


In ITF, these forms are called “Teul.” Since Teul reflects the history of Taekwondo’s home, Korea, it promotes and shares Korean history; this motivated the author to write this article.


In ITF taekwondo, regardless of Gyepa (lineage), there are 24 Teuls which represent the 24 hours of the day. Every Taekwondo level (both Geup and Dan) has its own distinct, named Teul. The following shows the meanings behind each Teul:


* Yugeupja (colored belt practitioners)

These are those practitioners at Geup-levels 1 to 9.


* Yudanja (black belt)

These are those practitioners at Dan-levels 1 to 9. ITF Taekwondo Yudanjas are given different titles and uniforms depending on their level. The 1st – 3rd Dan instructors areBbusabeom, 4th to 6th Dan instructors are Sabeom, 7th to 8th Dan masters are Sahyeon, and 9th Dan grandmasters are Saseong. Some schools will award Dobok (uniform) patches as distinguishing marks.


* Yeonmuseon (diagram)

This is the floor pattern of movements that is found in WT’s Poomsae, ITF’s Teul and karate’s Kata. The Yeonmuseon of each Teul represents a character which has meaning related to the Teul itself.

 

First Teul - 9th Geup “Cheonji”


Cheonji literally translates to “sky and earth” and implies creation of the world. It is represented by a cross-character. Since a cross usually denotes perfection or a just person in ITF, it is understood that the Cheonji diagram indicates the entryway to perfection. The lines of the cross represent either the sky and earth or the Korean lands and Korean territory respectively. Since it signifies creation of the world, Cheonji is placed as the first Teul.


Second Teul - 8th Geup “Dangun”


The second Teul is named after Dangun Wanggeom, the founder of the first Kingdom of Korea Gojoseon. As it symbolizes the establishment of Korea, Dangun is placed after Cheonji, the creation of the world. It is represented by as the Chinese character “工.” Although usually this character is interpreted as “skill, work and profession,” in ITF it denotes a person who has made a great contribution or achievement.


Third Teul – 7th Geup “Dosan”


Dosan is named in honor of the pen name of the Korean independence activist Ahn Chang-ho and is represented by the character “工.” He truly admired Dangun and wrote a song called ‘high virtue of Daehwangjo(Dangun)’ for an independent movement. If you look at the lyrics, you can feel how highly he thought of Dangun. For this reason, the Teul was placed right after Dangun.


Fourth Teul – 6th Geup “Wonhyo”


The fourth Teul is named after the great monk Wonhyo who introduced Buddhism to Korea’s Silla Dynasty based on an epiphany he had after drinking water from a skull. It is represented by the character ”工.”


Fifth Teul – 5th Geup “Yulgok”


Yulgok is named for the pen name of a great Joseon scholar and writer Yiyi. He argued that Joseon must prepare a military force of ten thousand soldiers to defend Korea from Japanese invasion. The fifth Teul is represented by the character “士,” meaning scholar.


Sixth Teul – 4th Geup “Junggeun”


The sixth Teul is named after the Korean independence activist Ahn Jung-geun who assassinated Ito Hirobumi, the former Japanese prime minister who had led the Japanese annexation of Korea. The 32 patterns of this Teul symbolize the age at which Ahn lost his life. This Teul is represented by “工.”


Seventh Teul – 3rd Geup “Toegye”


The seventh Teul is named for the pen name of the Joseon scholar, writer and expert in Neo-Confucianism, Yi Hwang. It is represented by the character “士.”


Eighth Teul – 2nd Geup “Hwarang”


The eighth Teul is named after a group of young elite warriors in Shilla Dynasty who focused themselves on mental and physical training as well as education to serve as government officials and soldiers. In honor of the spirit of Hwarang warriors, such as Kim Gwan-chang and Kim Ban-gul who had fought bravely and lost their lives in the battle of Hwangsanbeol, it is represented by the character “工.”


Ninth Teul – 1st Geup “Chungmu” 


The ninth Teul is named for Korea’s greatest admiral, Yi Sun-shin, who is widely revered across the nation. Yi is credited for saving Joseon during the Japanese invasion in 1592. He led 32 naval battles and was never defeated. The last movement of this form ends with a left punch, which symbolizes Yi’s tragic death. It is believed that Chungmu being placed as the last Teul before Dan promotion is in honor of Yi’s great popularity as the most well-known hero in Korean history.


Tenth Teul – First Form of 1st Dan “Gwanggae”


The tenth Teul is named after Gwanggaeto Daewang (Gwanggaeto, the Great King) whose birth name was Go Dam-deok. He was a great conqueror who, as the 19th king of Goguryeo, made his country powerful. Gwanggae is represented by the Chinese character “土” (meaning ‘ground and territory’) to symbolize Go’s achievement of expanding and recovering lost territory. The 39 movements of the form are a reference to the first two digits of 391 C.E., the year when Go came to the throne, and the age he was when he passed away. It is believed that the Teul is placed for the first Dan as promotion from Yugeupja to Yudanja marks an increase in competence reminiscent of Gwanggaeto Daewang making Goguryeo a powerful country.


Eleventh Teul – Second Form of 1st Dan “Poeun”


The eleventh Teul is named for the pen name of Jeong Mong-ju, a Goryeo scholar and writer who wrote Danshimga*. It is represented by the Chinese character “一” meaning ‘one’ and symbolizes Jeong’s absolute loyalty to his king and country even on the brink of collapse. It is believed that Poeun sends an implicit message to Yudanjas to remain resolute in their training.


* Yi Bang-won wrote and recited a poem (Hayeoga, 하여가 / 何如歌) to persuade Jeong Mong-ju to join him to build a new country, but Jeong Mong-ju rejected Yi’s offer by reading his own poem (Dansimga, 단심가 / 丹心歌) that affirmed his loyalty to Goryeo.


Twelfth Teul – Third Form of 1st Dan “Gyebaek”


The twelfth Teul is named after the great general of Baekje, Gye-baek. In the battle of Hwangsanbeol, he fought with five thousand against the 50 thousand soldiers led by Shilla general Kim Yu-shin. The Teul is represented by “|” which symbolizes his unwavering mind during the battle. It is understood that Gyebaek was placed as the last Teul before the second Dan to show that Yudanjas must learn the general’s spirit.


 

To Be Continued


※ Views in this writing are the author's own.