The name of the pattern, the number of movements, and the diagrammatic symbol of each pattern symbolise either heroic figures in Korean history or instances relating to historic events. Below are the meanings for all of the colour-grade patterns.
Chon-Ji (19 Movements)
Chon-ji means literally the heaven and earth. It is in the orient interpreted as the creation of human history and is therefore the initial pattern played by the beginner. The pattern consists of two similar parts, one to represent heaven and the other earth.
Dan-Gun (21 movements)
Dan-gun is named after the holy Dan-gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2,333 B.C
Do-San (24 movements)
Do-san is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang-Ho (1876-1938). The 24 movements represent his whole life which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.
Won-Hyo (28 movements)
Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.
Yul-Gok (38 movements)
Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of a great philosopher and scholar Yi I (1536 – 1584) nicknamed “The Confucius of Korea” The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on 38 latitude and the diagram represents “scholar”
Joong-Gun (32 movements)
Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese governor general of Korea, known as the man who playing the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger. There are 32 movements in this pattern to represent Mr. Ahn’s age when he was executed in Lui-Shung prison (1910).
Toi-Gye (37 movements)
Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th century), an authority on neo Confucianism. The 37 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on 37 latitude, the diagram represents “scholar”
Hwa-Rang (29 movements)
Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division where Taekwon-Do developed into maturity.
Choong-Moo (30 movements)
Choong-Moo was the name given to the great admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Lee Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armoured battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine. The reason why this pattern ends with a left-hand attack is to symbolise his regrettable death having no chance to show his unrestrained potentiality checked by his forced reservation of his loyalty to the king.