Hyong

A major part of every lesson is Hyong (Forms). Hyongs are defined patterns, which resemble a fight with one or more virtual opponents. The Hyongs contain all major techniques. Indeed they could be seen as an encyclopedia of techniques. In the very first editions of the 'Taekwon Do' book by General Choi Hong Hi, only 20 Hyongs were mentioned besides the Karate forms. Later the Karate forms were removed, and four more Hyongs added for a total of twentyfour. Twentyfour is symbolically for every hour of a day, which in turn stands for the whole life.

Later on during the early 80's, Gen. Choi Hong Hi replaced one of the original Hyongs (Ko-Dang), by a new one (Juche). Accordingly to Walt Lang, 7.DAN USTF, this was because some techniques, whom Gen. Choi felt are important, were missing from the Hyongs. Ko-Dang was the most contemporary to remove.

In the Münchner Volkshochschule, as well as the Volkshochschule Pullach, we practice the original 20 Hyongs accordingly to Gen. Choi's first books. Additionally, we practice Naihanchi (Cholgi) and Bassai Hyong. These two Hyongs are some of the oldest known forms. Both are well known in other martial arts, such as Karate, Tang Soo Do as well as some chinese arts.

Except for the first Hyong (Chon-Ji) and the newer Juche, all Hyongs are named after important people of korean history, or historic events. These names are very strongly related to korean culture, as well as the person of General Choi Hong Hi, who founded Taekwon Do in 1955. For non korean people this names are not that important in a historical sense, but are still taught to preserve and respect korean tradition.

The numbering of the Hyongs changed somewhat over time, as well as the total number (see above), but regardless of 20 or 24 Hyongs, Tong-Il will be always the last one. This is because it stands for the unification of South and North Korea, which hopefully sometimes will happen.

There are special versions of the hyongs for handicapped people without arms. These versions are designed by Bernhard Jegan 3. Dan, together with his teachers.

1.

Chon-Ji
Version for handicapped people

• Sky and Earth
• This Hyong symbolizes the opposites Yin and Yang. The Hyong consists of two parts, one of which stands for the sky, and the other for the earth.
• 19 Movements.

2.

Tan-Gun
Version for handicapped people

• Holy Man, Founder of Korea (Saga) 2333 B.C.
• 21 Movements

3.

To-San
Version for handicapped people

• Pseudonym of Patriot Ahn Ch'ang Ho (1876 - 1938), who dedicated his life to education in korea, and to independancy.
• 24 Movements

4.

Won-Hyo
Version for handicapped people

• Monk which has brought Buddhism to Korea, 686 A.D.
• 28 Movements

5.

Yul-Kok
Version for handicapped people

• Pseudonym of Yi I, ``Konfuzius of Korea'', 1536 A.D. Number of movements symbolize the latitude of his birthplace.
• 38 Movements

6.

Chung-Gun
Version for handicapped people

• An Chung-Gun, Patriot, number of movements is the age when he was executed at Lui-Shung prison.
• 32 Movements

7.

Toi-Gye
Version for handicapped people

• Writer's name of Yi Hwang, 16. Century. Number of moves is the latitude of his birthplace.
• 37 Movements

8.

Hwa-Rang
Version for handicapped people

• Youth Organization 640 A.D., important for the unification of the three kingdoms.
• 29 Movements.

9.

Chung-Mu
Version for handicapped people

• Yi Sun Sin, 1592 A.D. Attack with left hand at end of Hyong symbolizes his early death.
• 30 Movements

10.

Gwang-Gae

• Korean King, freed invaded areas, 39 years in force.
• 39 Movements

11.

Po-Eun

• Pseudonym of Chong Mong-Mu, 1400 A.D., diagram symbolizes his loyality.
• 36 Movements

12.

Ge-Baek

• General Ge-Baek, 660 A.D., diagram stands for strong military discipline.
• 44 Movements

13.

Yoo-Sin

• General Kim Yoo Sin. Commanding General during Silla period, important roll during unification of the three kingdoms.
• 68 Movements

14.

Choong-Jang

• Pseudonym of General Kim Duk Ryang, 15. century Yi Dynasty. lefthanded attack at end of hyong symbolizes his early death in prison.
• 52 Movements

15.

Ul-Ji

• General Ul-Ji Mun Duk. defended 612 A.D. Korea against chinese Invaders. The 42 moves symbolize the age of the author of this hyong at the time of development.

16.

Sam-Il

• 1. March 1919, start of the korean secession. 33 Movements are the 33 patriots, who planned the movement.
• 33 Movements

17.

Ko-Dang

• Pseudonym of patriot Cho Man Sik, who dedicated his life to secession and to education of his nation. The 39 movements are the number of his imprisonments, and the latitude of his birthplace.
• 39 Movements

18.

Choi-Yong

• General Choi Yong, primeminister and commander-in-chief at 14th century.
• 45 Movements

19.

Se-Jong

• King Se-Jong, who developed the korean alphabet 1443. The number of movements symbolize the number of characters in the korean alphabet.
• 24 Movements

20.

Tong-Il

• symbolizes the determination to reunify korea, which is divided into two parts since 1945.
• 56 Movements

The following Hyongs were added later (in the 70's) by Gen. Choi. Also the numbering changed a little bit, as Tong-Il will be always the last one, as Korea is not yet reunified.

• Moon-Mo
  • 13th king of silla dynasty. Number of moves are the last two number of 661, which is the year of crowning of Moon-Mo.
  • 61 Movements

• Yon-Ge
  • General Yon-Ge Somun. The 49 Movements show the last two numbers of the year 649 A.D., he forced the Tang dynasty to leave korea.
  • 49 Movements

• So-San
  • Monk Choi Hyung Ung, 1520 - 1604. The 72 Movements stand for the age at which he organized a corps of monk soldiers to help drive away japanese pirates.
  • 72 Movements

• Eui-Am
  • Pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, who leads the korean indepency on the first March 1919. The 45 moves symbolize the age at which he changed the name Dong Hak (eastern culture) into Chondo Kyo (religion of heavens way). The pattern of the hyong (I) stands for his strong mind.
  • 45 Movements

During the 80's, the Ko-Dang Hyong was replaced by the following:

• Juche
  • Juche is a philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, it is the idea that man is the master of the world and his destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain, which symbolizes the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram for this pattern represents Baekdu Mountain. ^2.3
  • 45 Movements