Patterns

The Taekwon-Do patterns were created to give the student a way to practice its various fundamental movements in a set of fixed, logical sequences.  Otherwise, it would be difficult to practice or test one’s attack and defense skills without engaging against actual, moving opponents.

For each pattern, the student systematically deals with several imaginary opponents in different scenarios.  Each pattern employs a number of available blocking and attacking tools from several directions.  

So, pattern practice enables the student to perform many fundamental movements in a variety of series.  This, in turn, helps the student to develop sparring techniques, improve movement flexibility, master body shifting, and build muscle and breath control.  Through continual pattern practice, a student will develop fluid and smooth motions and gain rhymical movements in their performance.

Patterns are a critical component in evaluating an individual’s technique and mastery of the fundamentals.  Thus, the following points should be considered when performing a pattern:

• The pattern should begin and end in the same spot.  This indicated the person’s accuracy.
• Make sure you maintain the correct posture and facing at all times.
• Your muscles should either be tensed or relaxed at the proper moments in the exercise.
• The pattern should be performed rhythmically without stiffness.
• Your movements should be accelerated or slowed as directed by the pattern instructions,
• Each pattern should be perfected before moving on to the next one.
• You should know the purpose of each movement within the pattern.
• Perform each movement with realism (with power, focus, and accuracy).

There are 24 patterns in Taekwon-do.

General Choi wrote, “The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered as a day when compared with eternity.  Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travelers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day. The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.”

Each pattern is emblematic of Korea's history and legacy.  The patterns are listed below.  Click on the pattern's link, and you will be taken to its page.  Each page will have the pattern’s name, number of movements, and diagram.  Each pattern represents either a heroic figure or a historical event. 

The 24 Patterns Links