Hyong

A major part of every lesson is Hyong (Forms). Hyongs are defined patterns, which resemble a fight with one or more virtual opponents. The Hyongs contain all major techniques. Indeed they could be seen as an encyclopedia of techniques. 24 Hyongs will be practised in traditional Taekwon Do. Additionally, Naihanchi (Cholgi) and Bassai Hyong are practised in the Münchner Volkshochschule. These two Hyongs are some of the oldest known forms. Both are well known in other martial arts, such as Karate, Tang Soo Do as well as some chinese arts.

Except for the first Hyong (Chon-Ji), all Hyongs are named after important people of korean history, or historic events. These names are very strongly related to korean culture, as well as the person of General Choi Hong Hi, who founded Taekwon Do in 1955. For non korean people this names are not that important in a historical sense, but are still taught to preserve and respect korean tradition.

1. Chon-Ji  
   • Sky and Earth
   • This Hyong symbolizes the opsites Yin and Yang. The Hyong consists of two parts, one of which stands for the sky, and the other for the earth.
   • 19 Movements.

2. Dan-Gun  
   • Holy Man, Founder of Korea (Saga) 2333 B.C.
   • 21 Movements

3. Do-San  
   • Pseudonym of Patriot Ahn Ch'ang Ho (1876 - 1938), who dedicated his life to education in korea, and to independancy.
   • 24 Movements

4. Won-Hyo  
   • Monk which has brought Buddhism to Korea, 686 A.D.
   • 28 Movements

5. Yul-Gok  
   • Pseudonym of Yi I, ``Konfuzius of Korea'', 1536 A.D. Number of movements symbolize the latitude of his birthplace.
   • 38 Movements

6. Chun-Gun  
   • An Chun-Gun, Patriot, number of movements is the age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison.
   • 32 Movements

7. Toi-Gye  
   • Writer's name of Yi Hwang, 16. Century. Number of moves is the latitude of his birthplace.
   • 37 Movements

8. Hwa-Rang  
   • Youth Organization 640 A.D., important for the unification of the three kingdoms.
   • 29 Movements.

9. Chung-Mu  
   • Yi Sun Sin, 1592 A.D. Attack with left hand at end of Hyong symbolizes his early death.
   • 30 Movements

10. Gwang-Gae  
    • Korean King, freed invaded areas, 39 years in force.
    • 39 Movements

11. Po-Eun  
    • Pseudonym of Chong Mong-Mu, 1400 A.D., diagram symbolizes his loyality.
    • 36 Movements

12. Ge-Baek  
    • General Ge-Baek, 660 A.D., diagram stands for strong military discipline.
    • 44 Movements

13. Yoo-Sin  
    • General Kim Yoo Sin. Commanding General during Silla period, important roll during unification of the three kingdoms.
    • 68 Movements

14. Choong-Jang  
    • Pseudonym of General Kim Duk Ryang, 15. century Yi Dynasty. lefthanded attack at end of hyong symbolizes his early death in prison.
    • 52 Movements

15. Ul-Ji  
    • General Ul-Ji Mun Duk. defended 612 A.D. Korea against chinese Invaders. The 42 moves symbolize the age of the author of this hyong at the time of development.

16. Sam-Il  
    • 1. March 1919, start of the korean secession. 33 Movements are the 33 patriots, who planned the movement.
    • 33 Movements

17. Ko-Dang  
    • Pseudonym of patriot Cho Man Sik, who dedicated his life to secession and to education of his nation. The 39 movements are the number of his imprisonments, and the latitude of his birthplace.
    • 39 Movements

18. Choi-Yong  
    • General Choi Yong, primeminister and commander-in-chief at 14th century.
    • 45 Movements

19. Se-Jong  
    • King Se-Jong, who developed the korean alphabet 1443. The number of movements symbolize the number of characters in the korean alphabet.
    • 24 Movements

20. Tong-Il  
    • symbolizes the determination to reunify korea, which is divided into two parts since 1945.
    • 56 Movements

21. Moon-Mo  
    • 13th king of silla dynasty. Number of moves are the last two number of 661, which is the year of crowning of Moon-Mo.
    • 61 Movements

22. Yon-Ge  
    • General Yon-Ge Somun. The 49 Movements show the last two numbers of the year 649 A.D., he forced the Tang dynasty to leave korea.
    • 49 Movements

23. So-San  
    • Monk Choi Hyung Ung, 1520 - 1604. The 72 Movements stand for the age at which he organized a corps of monk soldiers to help drive away japanese pirates.
    • 72 Movements

24. Eui-Am  
    • Pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, who leads the korean indepency on the first March 1919. The 45 moves symbolize the age at which he changed the name Dong Hak (eastern culture) into Chondo Kyo (religion of heavens way). The pattern of the hyong (I) stands for his strong mind.
    • 45 Movements

Klaus Steinberger
Do Sep 8 17:26:24 MDT 1994
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