Rank Form Historical Note
10th & 9th Gup Chon-Ji Chon-Ji, literally translated means "the Heaven and Earth". The form symbolizes innocence. It is, in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history; therefore it is the initial pattern learned by the beginner. The pattern consists of two similar parts: one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth. This form is the only Gup rank form in which the student will step toward the instructor when returning to the ready position.
8th Gup Bo-Chung Bo-Chung means loyalty. This form was created by Grand Master Kim In Mook.
7th Gup Dan-Gun Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dan-Gun, legendary founder of Korea in the year 2,334 BC.
6th Gup Do-San Do-San is the pseudonym for the great patriot Ahn Chang-Ho. The 24 movements of the form represent his entire life, which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and it’s independence movement.
5th Gup Won-Hyo Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 AD.
4th Gup Yul-Gok Yul-Gok is the pseudonym for the great philosopher and scholar Yi I (nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea". The 38 movements of the form refer to his birthplace on the 38th parallel. The diagram of this form represents the Korean character for "scholar".
3rd Gup Joong-Gun Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated the first Japanese governor-general of Korea, Hiro Bumiotto, know as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. The 32 movements of the form to represent Mr. Ahn’s age when he was executed in Lui Shung prison in 1910.
2nd Gup Toi-Gye Toi-Gye is the pen name of the scholar Yi Hwang, an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 37th parallel. The diagram of the form represents the Korean character for "scholar".
1st Gup (R) Hwa-Rang Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa Rang-Do youth group that originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th Century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division, where Tae Kwon-Do developed into maturity.
1st Gup (D) & 1st Dan (R) Choong-Moo Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship in 1592. It is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine. The left-handed punch at the end of the form symbolizes his regrettable death at an early age.