For Students

The first belt of the beginner is WHITE, which indicates clarity and purity. It symbolises innocence and an uninhibited mind. Thus assuming that the person has no prior knowledge of the art and training.

This Hyung lays the foundation of future Hyung to come. This is the most basic Hyung providing the beginner with understanding and combining the fundamental movements at different oriented angles to develop the coordination and balance of the execution. The Hyung is divided into two parts of duplicated movements to ensure the equal balance of the body development. It consists of simple basic attack and defence situations. Although there is lack of variation of technique, the practitioner is given more opportunity to concentrate on precision skills in execution and good control of power and balance, together with correct breathing.

“Chon-Ji” means literally “the Heaven, the Earth”. It is, in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history, therefore, it is the initial pattern learnt by the beginner. This pattern consists of two similar parts; one to represent the Heaven and the other the Earth. It is said that the Pattern was named after Lake Chon-Ji, a beautiful lake in North Korea with water so clear that you literally see the Heaven meeting the Earth.

This is considered to be the first official constructed Hyung after the initial basic Hyung previously (Saju Chirugi). It has two distinct parts combined symbolising heaven and earth – the creation of the world or universe – as the word Chon-Ji implies. The two parts in the Hyung consist of a lower section block and medium punch, and an inner forearm block and medium punch. These movements are executed in different directions to cover all points of the earth.

The colour YELLOW signifies the earth and the sun, where the seed is expected to take root. This indicates that the practitioners foundation is laid to develop the knowledge of the art. Nothing can be achieved without a strong and good foundation.

Tan-Gun was the legendary founder of the kingdom of Korea in the year 2333 B.C. Today on October 3rd is a national holiday to commemorate Tan-Gun because of his greatness and significant historical importance in maintaining and protecting the kingdom and its cultural values through the turbulent years of the Silla, Koyon and Lee Dynasties. This is the mythical story of the birth of Tan-Gun, the son of Hwan Ung who became a man that came from heaven and changed a bear to a woman whom he married.

The colour green indicates life and growth. As new leaves start to develop so as the strength and knowledge of the practitioner’s training gains momentum. The movements and techniques start to develop with purpose.

During the Silla Dynasty (686 AD) Buddhism was introduced to its people by a prominent monk called Won Hyo. He was well known not only for his scholastic achievement but also for a greater accomplishment in helping and taking care of the poor and suffering people. He felt comfortable amongst the underprivileged people and often sang and danced for them. He was obviously well received and respected everywhere he went.

During the Yi Dynasty there was a great philosopher and scholar called master Yi I (1536-1584 AD). Known as Yul-Kok he was dubbed the “Confucius of Korea”. Yul-Kok’s exceptional intelligence was well served in many governmental postings and on retirement he constantly advised on various social and governmental affairs. The diagrammatic representation of the Hyung and the number of movements represents his birth place and him being an outstanding scholar.

The colour blue represents the plant’s growth reaching towards the big blue sky. As the plant matures so do the skills and techniques of the practitioner. The plant becomes a tree – the training methods and the various movements become more meaningful and adaptable.

Nothing demonstrates true patriotism more than to die for one’s country. This was exactly what Ah Chung-Gun did. He sacrificed his life by assassinating an important Japanese Governor-General in Korea during the Japanese occupation – Hirobumi Ito on the 26th October at the Halbin railroad station. Chung-Gun was captured and executed at the age of 32 which now represents the number of movements in the Hyung.

The colour brown signifies the earth where the tree finally roots itself firmly and solidly. This is when the student’s knowledge of the art consolidates and he starts to have full confidence in his achievement and acquirement.

Hwa-Rang youth were famous for their great fighting skills and impervious spirit. Without them the three kingdoms of Korea would not have been unified. During the Silla Dynasty (1350 years ago) a group of youth sprang up with high moral and patriotic ideas and devoted to strict discipline and unparalleled training skills – bodies and spirits – calling themselves Hwa-Rang Do. Membership to this organisation was most selective, the young candidates must prove to be men of character, virtue and conscience; and should be educated and of noble birth. Today the Hwa-Rang spirit lives on – used as the motto for youth.

Admiral Yi Sun-Sin known as Chung-Mu was noted for his invention of the armoured battleship – Kobukson (the turtle boat) during the Yi Dynasty. In 1592 when war broke out between the Japanese Empire and the Yi Dynasty, Admiral Yi lead his Kobukson to victory and reigned supreme over the sea for several years. Unfortunately he was sentenced to death after being found guilty of plotting against another commanding officer, then later pardoned by the king. Admiral Yi died at the age of 54 during another sea battle against the Japanese. Today he is still admired in Korea as a true protector of his country.

Black is the opposite to white; thus from a novice to an “expert”. It represents a good degree of proficiency of the art. It also indicates the endless universe where development of technique is limitless. This is the stage where the practitioner has the capacity and opportunity to explore the “timeless” endeavour one strives to reach.

Gwang-Gae-T’o Wang was the 19th king of the Koguryo Dynasty. Being young and ambitious and believing in expansionism, his success in conquering nearby land holdings increased the size of his empire. The most outstanding achievement was the regaining of lost territories from Manchuria. He reigned for 39 years as represented by the 39 movements in the Hyung.