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Tuls

A "Tul" (form or pattern) is a series of fundamental movements, most of which represent either attack or defensive techniques against an imaginary opponent, set to a fixed and logical sequence. Most of the patterns begin with a defensive move, which emphasizes TKD’s defensive nature. All patterns start and end at the same location. This ensures that the practitioners' stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper direction. The names of these patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns may also be historical references such as the number of moves, diagram, the way the pattern ends, ect.

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Saju Jirugi / Saju Makgi

The first patterns you will learn at white belt level is Saju-Jirugi (four direction punch) and Saju-Makgi (four direction block). These are the basic foundations such as Low Block, Middle Punch, Walking Stance, Knifehand Low Block and Middle Inner Forearm Block.

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Dan-Gun Tul          21 Moves

Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dangun, the legendary founder of Korea in 2333 BC. Unusually for a teul, all the punches in Dan-Gun are high section (at eye level), symbolizing Dangun scaling a mountain.

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Won-Hyo Tul          28 Moves

Won-Hyo was a monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year of 686 AD.

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Joong-Gun Tul     32 Moves

Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr. Ahn's age when he was executed in a Lui-Shung prison (1910).

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Hwa-Rang Tul       29 Moves

Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group, which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.

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Kwang-Gae Tul      39 Moves

Kwang-Gae is named after the famous Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory.

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Gae-Baek                44 Moves

Gae-Baek is named after Gyebaek, a great general in the Baekje Dynasty. The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.

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Choong-Jang       52 Moves

Chung-Jang is the pseudonym given to General Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Yi Dynasty, 14th century. This pattern ends with a left hand attack to symbolize the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity.

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Sam-Il                          33 Moves

Sam-Il name refers to the historic March 1st Movement, the biggest nation-wide Korean independence movement against the imperial Japan in 1919. The 33 movements in the pattern represent for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.

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Choi-Yong              46 Moves

Choi-Yong is named after General Choi Yong, Premier and Commander-in Chief of the armed forces during the 14th century Goryeo Dynasty. Choi Yong was greatly respected for his loyalty, patriotism, and humility. He was executed by subordinate commanders headed by General Yi Seonggye, who later became the first king of the Joseon Dynasty.

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Chon-Ji Tul             19 Moves

Chon-Ji means literally the heaven and the earth. In the orient, it is interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history. Therefore, this is the initial pattern learned by a beginner. 

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Do-San Tul              24 Moves

Do-San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938), who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.

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Yul-Gok Tul             38 Moves

Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi l (1536-1584) nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea" The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38th latitude. The diagram represents scholar.

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Toi-Gye Tul             37 Moves

Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century), an authority on neo Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37 latitude, the diagram represents 'scholar'.

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Choong-Moo Tul    30 Moves

“Choong Moo" was the name given to the great admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Yi dynasty. He was reported to have invented the first armoured battleship, the kobukson, in 1592, which is said to be the precursor to the modern day submarine. 

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Po-Eun                       36 Moves

Po Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400) who was a famous poet and whose poem “I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a hundred times", is known to every Korean. He was also a pioneer in the field of physics.

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Eui-Am                      45 Moves

Eui-Am is the pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed the name of his religion in 1905. The diagram represents his indomitable spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.

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Juche                         45 Moves

Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of his own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, which symbolize the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram represents Baekdu Mountain, which is the highest mountain in Korea.

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Yoo-Sin                     68 Moves

Yoo-Sin is named after General Kim Yu-Sin, a general during the Silla Dynasty who played an important role in the merger of Goguryeo and Baekje by Silla. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 AD the year the three kingdoms were unified. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn to the right rather than the left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin's mistake of following his king's orders to fight with foreign forces (Tang Dynasty of China) against his own people (Goguryeo and Baik-je).

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