The symbol and line of movement for Ileo represent oneness of mind and body and harmoniousness between material and spiritual. For taekwondo practitioners, it is meant to represent oneness of mind and body achieved through a long time of training. Performing this poomsae requires concentration and the discipline of careful attention to each movement, letting… Read more

The symbol for this poomsae stands for water, as the source of life. This poomsae demonstrates that taekwondo practitioners respond to life (or attacks) with fluidity and adaptability. Hansoo is for the 8th dan. In the music, the is a rhythmic pulse in the low strings. Over this, descending fluid scales become the main theme… Read more

The Chinese symbol and floor pattern for Cheonkwon can be interpreted as a man ascending to the heavens, or heavenly might, or piety. It can also mean sky. According to the World Taekwondo Federation, there was a King Hwanin (which translates to “heavenly king”). He lived 4,000 years ago between mountains and sea, and ruled… Read more

Jitae is for the 6th dan. The line of movement as well as the symbol represent a man looking to the sky. The Kukkiwon text describes the meaning of Jitae as a struggle for existence. Other sources describe the meaning as humans being the connection between heaven and earth. This poomsae has a combination of… Read more

Sipjin is for the 5th dan.  It is about the eternal 10 elements of longevity (sun, clouds, mountains, water, pine trees, turtles, deer, cranes, peaches, and the herb of eternal youth). It symbolizes health and long life. Musically, this one was the most challenging because it has slow movements mixed in with faster ones. I left… Read more

The spirit of pyongwon is the peacefulness and majesty of an open field.   There is a new ready stance introduced that involves crossed hands moving up and down as one would do for a bow.  Then one leg steps out to get into parallel stance as the hands move outward, as if they are… Read more

This form is for the 3rd dan.  Taebaek is a sacred mountain in Korea.  The spirit of this form is one of spirituality.  Sometimes it is described as connecting heaven and earth.The music begins with a rising harp arpeggio, symbolizing a reach toward heaven.  The rest of it is upbeat, until it ends with the… Read more

This poomsae is for the 2nd dan.  It is about diamonds, or unbreakable hardness. George S. Patton, Jr. once said, “Pressure makes diamonds.”. I wanted this piece to be about the hope, courage and tenacity of the Korean people who have been through so many hardships.  The music has many sharp edges, with stabbing chord… Read more

This form is learned for the 1st Dan.  It symbolizes “seonbae”, which is a wise or righteous man.   Koreo (Korea) is the name of an old Korean Dynasty. The people from the Koreo period defeated their Mongolian invaders.  Weaponless Korean martial arts were developed during the Koreo dynasty. Their strong spirit is reflected in… Read more

Composed and Produced by Melissa Darrow Engleman In taekwondo schools, students learn choreographed attack and defense movements in poomsae. Once the student reaches the black belt level, they learn the Yudanja or Blackbelt Poomsae.  Explanations of the Yudanja Poomsae and the music are in the next 9 posts. Read more