White

Chon-Ji
19 Movements

means literally "Heaven and Earth", and is in the Orient, interpretted as the creation of the world and the beginning of human history. Therefore, it is the initial pattern learned by the beginner. The pattern consists of two parts - one part to represent heaven, the other the earth.

Yellow

Dan-Gun
21 Movements

is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C.

Orange

Do-San
24 Movements

was the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876-1938) who devoted his life to furthering the education of Koreans and their independence movement.

Low Green

Won-Hyo
28 Movements

was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.

Low Blue

Yul-Gok
38 Movements

is the pseudonym if the great philosopher Yi I (1536-1584) nicknamed the "Confucious of Korea". The 38 movements of this pattern represent his birthplace on the 38th parallel and the diagram represents scholar.

Brown

Chung-Gun
32 Movements

is named after the patriot An-Chung Gun who assisinated Hiro Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. The thirty-two movements in this pattern represent Mr. An's age when he was executed in Lui-Shung prison in 1910.

Brown

Toi-Gye
37 Movements

is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th Century) an authority on Neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of this pattern represent his birthplace on the 37th parallel and the diagram means scholar.

Brown

Hwa-Rang
29 Movements

is named after the Hwarangdo youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty around 620 A.D. This group eventually became the driving force in the unification of the three kingdoms of Korea (Silla, Kogoryu, and Baek Je).

Brown

Chung-Mu
30 Movements

Chung-Mu is the name given to the great Admiral Yi Sun Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (kobukson) which was the precursor of the present day submarine in 1592 A.D. The reason this pattern finishes with a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his loyalty to the king.

Rank

Form

Meaning

Varies

Pal-Gwe One
(Il Jang)
20 Movements

Heaven: The first form represents the greatness of heaven and light. This form is powerful and aggressive and should be considered the source of creation.

Yellow

Pal-Gwe Two
(Ee Jang)
26 Movements

Lake: The second form represents the treasures and mysteries of the lake. This form should be performed with ease and fluidity. This is an uplifting, serene and gentle form that should be performed forcefully but not aggressively. This form represents an awareness of your limitations and your ability to overcome or live within them.

Orange

Pal-Gwe Three
(Sam Jang)
22 Movements

Fire: The third palgwe form represents the energy of fire or the sun. This form should be performed with warmth and enthusiasm. This form represents the characteristics of fire such as variety and passion. The movements should be executed with quick, rhythmic, unpredictable pace and styling.

High Green

Pal-Gwe Four
(Sa Jang)
28 movements

Thunder: The fourth form represents thunder (noise without substance) which is a powerful natural source that comes from the sky and is absorbed by the earth. This form should be performed with bravery and courage. This form contains movements that display calm composure and strong balance such as blocks in combination with strikes and front kicks that require you to use force but immediately recover into a back stance, the way a passing thunderstorm nourishes the earth.

High Blue

Pal-Gwe Five
(Oh Jang)
37 movements

Wind: The fifth palgwe form represents wind (substance without noise) which is a gentle force that can change directions and become destructive without warning. This form should be performed with movements that change from gentle to violent. The movements of this form are yielding yet penetrating, soothing yet destructive, invisible yet manifest. This form represents a humble state of mind which balances the contrasting elements of the wind, gentleness and power.

Brown

Pal-Gwe Six
(Yook Jang)
29 Movements

Water: The sixth form represents the liquidity and formlessness of water. Water flows around and absorbs things. It never loses its form. This teaches us that hardships and difficulties can be overcome by maintaining the natural flow, movement and integrity of water. This set of movements should be performed as though every action is exactly what is called for to overcome a situation at a particular moment in time.

Brown

Pal-Gwe Seven
(Chil Jang)
29 Movements

Mountain: The seventh form symbolizes the immovable mountain. This form is characterized by stability in which moving and stopping occur at the appropriate times and for the appropriate reasons. This pattern reflects the need to combine movement and non-movement in response to an attack. The stability of a mountain comes from structural soundness and a form that is noble and majestic.

Black

Pal-Gwe Eight
(Pal Jang)
36 Movements

Earth: The eighth palgwe form represents the earth from which all all things are born, mature and die. It represents the end of the beginning as the platform from which the next level of growth can take place. It is the end of the cycle that begins the new cycle of forms. It is from here that everything grows.

Black

Koryo
50 Movements

Koryo is the name of an ancient dynasty in the Korean peninsula. The English name of "Korea" originated from the name of this "Koryo" dynasty with which was famed for the valiant spirit of its people which tey defeated the Mongolian aggression. The Koryo Dynasty lasted from 935 to 1392 AD and was the first dynasty to unify all of the Korean peninsula. Koryo Poomsae is based on spirit of / sonbae(Sonbi) which was inherited from Koruryo to Balhae and to Koryo. Songae means strong martial art and honest spirit of scholars.