Turn left 90 degrees into left tiger stance (i.e., left foot forward). Right inward palmheel block. Start in the Ready position or 'joon-bee' stance.The left side of each line is a mirror image of the right side of the line. You first perform the steps on the first line, then step forward to the second line, perform the steps on the second line, step forward to the third line, etc. Imagine three parallel lines laid out side-to-side before you. Like all Taegeuk forms, this poomsae is performed on three lines. Other movements in this form: Palmheel Block, Front Kick, Inward Block, Knifehand Block, Backfist Strike, Elbow Strike. New movements in this form: Tiger Stance (at step 7), Covered Fist (step 11), Scissors Block (at step 12), Knee Strike (at step 15a), Opening Block (at step 14), Double Uppercut (at step 15b), Cross Block (at step 16), Target Cresent Kick (at step 21a), Side Block (at step 14), Horse Stance (at step 21b). Unlike previous Taegeuk forms, this form introduces an exceptionally large number of new techniques. This can be seen for example at step 16, the Low Cross Block. 2nd Gup grade trainees practice this poomsae. The blocks in this form are intended to reflect immovability (like a mountain) i.e., rather than reflecting the blows, they take the blows head-on. Some say the prominence of the Tiger Stance in this form is also associated with the 'mountain' symbology of the form, since in Korean culture tigers are associated with life in the mountains. This form introduces the Cat Stance (also called Tiger Stance), the Knee Strike, and the Crescent Kick as well as a number of new blocks.

This form teaches commitment to both motion and to immobility, with rapid movements forward followed by sudden stops. (See the article Taegeuk for additional detail regarding the symbolism of this form.) Kan represents a mountain peak, which is solid, stable, and unmovable.

The trigram for Taegeuk Chil Jang represents the concept of 'Kan' (also spelled Gan). The word 'chil' is the number 7 in the sino-Korean numbering system.Įach taegeuk form is represented by a trigram (such as ☶) trigrams are divination symbols derived from the I Ching. Taegeuk Chil Jang is the seventh of eight ' taegeuk' forms (i.e., poomsae) used by Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo (WT). In the Korean tradition, tigers are said to inhabit mountainous areas, hence the prominence of the Tiger Stance in this form.

Taegeuk 1 form