foreign aggressive powers. The central theme of the flag is that although there is constant movement within the sphere of infinity, there is also balance and harmony. The flag consists of three parts: a white field (or background), a red and blue circle in the centre of the flag (containing a "yin-yang" like symbol), and four black trigrams surrounding the circle in each of the four corners of the flag.

The circle in the center is called "Taeguk" and means the origin of all things in the universe. The red and blue paisleys within the circle represent eternal duality (heaven-earth, fire-water, good-evil, male- female, dark-light, life-death). The blue portion of the circle is called "um" and represents the negative aspects of this duality; the red portion of the circle is called "yang" and represents the positive aspects. "Um-yang" is the Korean equivalent of "yin-yang".

The four black trigrams come from the Chinese book of "I Ch'ing". The trigrams also carry the idea of opposites and of balance. Each trigram (or "gye") consists of three parallel lines, some of which are broken (split), and some of which are unbroken (solid). Each gye has a specific name and represents one or more concepts: In the upper lefthand corner is "K'un" which consists of all solid lines and represents heaven, east, and spring; In the lower righthand corner is "K'on" which consists of all broken lines and represents earth, west, and summer; In the upper righthand corner is "Kam" which consists of one solid line sorrounded by two broken lines and represents water, north, and winter; In the lower lefthand corner is "I" which consists of one broken line sorrounded by two solid lines and represents fire, south, and autumn.

The white colour of background stands for the peace and the purity of the Korean people who have loved to wear white colour clothes. Therefore, the Korean people have been called the white-clad nation.

​

Cardinal Numbering system - This is used when counting, as well as when referring to the numbers themselves

1-Hana, 2-Dul, 3-Set, 4-Net, 5-Da Seot, 6-Yeo Seat, 7-Il Gop, 8-Yeo Deol, 9-A Hop, 10-Yeol

…………………

For numbers 11 - 19, simply precede the unit with 'Yeol', for example:

11 - Yeol Hana, 13 - Yeol Set, 17 - Yeol Il Gop etc...

………………………….

For number 20 - 99, precede each unit instead with the word for 20, 30 and so on, for example:

20 - Seu Mul, 21 - Seu Mul Hana, 25 - Seu Mul Da Seot

30-Seo Reun, 40-Ma Heun, 50-Sheen, 60-Ye Soon, 70-Il Heun, 80-Yu Doon, 90-A Heun

​

Ordinal Numbering system - This is used when referring to something's rank within a set (i.e. First, Second, Third etc.). You may recognise it from the numbering of the Taegeuk Poomsae (Il Jang, Ee Jang, Sam Jang etc.). Another relevant use may be in referral to a degree of black belt, so 'Sah Dan' would be 'Fourth Dan'.

1st-Il, 2nd-Ee, 3rd-Sam, 4th-Sah, 5th-Oh, 6th-Yook, 7th-Chil, 8th-Pal, 9th-Koo, 10th-Sip

.......

11th - Sip Il, 12th - Sip Ee, 13th - Sip Sam

.......

20th - Ee Sip, 21st - Ee Sip Il, 22nd - Ee Sip Ee, 23rd - Ee Sip Sam

.......

30th - Sam Sip, 40th - Sah Sip, 50th - Oh Sip, 60th - Yook Sip, 70th - Chil Sip, 80th - Pal Sip, 90th - Koo Sip, 100th - Il Bak

 

Notes on Korean vocabulary

The Korean below may look daunting at first with the presence of so many unfamiliar words, however understanding a little of how they are put together can help out a lot.

If you glance below, you'll notice a lot of the words are actually repeated, meaning there's a lot less to learn than there initially appears.

In light of this, it's useful to bear in mind these basic definitions whilst you read through

Arae - Low Section, Momtong - Middle Section, Olgul - High section

Baro – Obverse, Bandae - Reverse

Jireugi - Punch, Chigi - Strike with the hand, Chagi - Kick, Makki - Block

Knowledge of these individual words can make the Korean below easier to read when they are put together to make each phrase.

 

Notes on basic Korean grammar

A short overview of the way each phrase below is constructed can also come in useful when trying to recall the names of techniques/construct technique names yourself

Much like in English, the adjectives are used to describe the nouns.

An example of adjectives from the above vocabulary might be Arae (High section) or Bandae (Reverse).

Examples of nouns from the above are things like Jireugi (Punch) or Chagi (Kick).

Each of the below phrases is constructed in this fashion, so for example:

Momtong Baro Jireugi

Mid-Section Obverse Punch

Bandae Dollyo Chagi

Reverse Turning Kick

 

Basic Commands / words

Kwanjangnim : Director of training hall

Sabumnim : Instructor 4th Dan and up

Charyot : Attention

Kyung Nae : Bow

Seijak : Start

Goman : Stop

Diro Dora : About Face

Baro : Return to ready stance (Joonbe Seogi)

Do Jang : Place Of Training

Dobok : Training Suit

Kwa : Lesson

Han Bun Kyorugi - One Step Sparring

Poomse : Form / Pattern (also “Hyung”)

Kyorugi - Free Sparring

Jwawoohyang Woo : Turn Face

Kalyo : Break (used in fighting competition)

Kaesok : Resume (used in fighting competition)

Chung : Blue

Hong : Red

Hosinsool : self-defense

Mukyum : meditation

Kihap : yell

Ki : life-energy

Dahnjun : the center of your "ki"

Kyuk pa : breaking (the art of breaking boards, bricks, and tiles)

 

Chigi - Strike with the hand

Momtong Baro Jireugi : Mid-Section Obverse Punch

Momtong Bandae Jireugi : Mid-Section Reverse Punch

Olgul Baro Jireugi : High-Section Obverse Punch

Olgul Bandae Jireugi : High-Section Reverse Punch

Yop Jireugi : Side Punch

Naeryo Jireugi : Downward Punch

Chi Jireugi : Upward Punch

Jecho Jireugi : Reversed Fist Punch (Palm Facing Up)

Palkup Dollyo Chigi : Turning Elbow Strike

Palkup Ollyo Chigi : Upward Elbow Strike

Palkup Pyojeok Chigi : Elbow Strike to Hand Target

Hansonnal Mok Chigi : Single Knife Hand Neck Strike

Deungjumeok Ap Chigi : Back Fist Forward Strike

Sonnal Bakkat Chigi : Knife Hand Outer Strike

 

Chagi - Kicks

Ap Chagi : Front Kick

Beet Chagi : slant (or instep) kick

Bahndall Chagi : Crescent kick (literally "half moon kick")

Jillo Chagi : thrusting kick

Dollyo Chagi : Turning Kick

Bandae Dollyo Chagi : Reverse Turning Kick

Yop Chagi : Side Kick

Ap Cha olligi : Front stretching kick

Dwi Chagi : Back Kick

Naeryo Chagi : Downward / Axe Kick

Bitureo Chagi : Twisting Kick

Ppodeo Chagi : Stretch Kick

Mireo Chagi : Pushing Kick

Nakka Chagi : Hooking Kick

Kawi Chagi : Scissors Kick

Kullo Chagi : Stamping Kick

 

Makki - Blocks

Arae Makki : Low Block

Momtong Makki : Mid-Section Block

Olgul Makki : High Block

Momtong Bakkat Makki : Mid-Section Outer Block (Using Outer Wrist)

Anpalmok Momtong Bakkat Makki : Mid-Section Outer Block (Using Inner-Wrist)

Momtong An Makki : Mid-Section Inner Block (Using Outer Wrist)

Kodureo Momtong Makki : Double Mid-Section Block (Guarding Block)

Hansonnal Momtong Bakkat Makki : Single Knife Hand Mid-Section Outer Block

Sonnal Momtong Makki : Double Knife Hand Mid-Section Outer Block

Batangson Momtong Makki : Palm Hand Mid-Section Block

Kawi Makki : Scissors Block

Otgoreo Arae Makki : Low X-Block

 

Seogi - Stances

Naranhi Seogi : Parallel Stance

Oreun Seogi : Right-Hand Stance

Wen Seogi : Left-Hand Stance

Pyonhi Seogi : 'at-ease' Stance

Juchum Seogi : Riding Stance

Ap Seogi : Walking Stance

Apkubi Seogi : Forward Stance

Dwitkubi Seogi : Backward Stance

Beom Seogi : Tiger Stance

Moa Seogi : Closed / Attention Stance

Teuksu Poomsae Seogi (Special Poomsae Stances)

Kibon Jumbi Seogi : Basic Ready Stance

Tongmilgi Jumbi Seogi : Pushing-Hands Ready Stance

Kyopson Jumbi Seogi : Overlapped-Hands Ready Stance

Bojumeok Jumbi Seogi : Covered-Fist Ready Stance

 

Tenants of Taekwondo

Ye ui : Courtesy

Yom chi : Integrity

In nae : Perseverance

Kuk gi : Self-control (also "jah jeh")

Baekjool : Indomitable spirit (also "boolgool eui jung shin")

 

Salutations/Other

Ne : Yes

Anniyo : No

Kamsa - Hamnida : Thank you

Annyong - Haseyo : How are you / Hello?

Yoboseyo : Hello

Annyongi Kasipseyo : Go In Peace

Sillye - Hamnida : Excuse Me

Choum - Poepkessumnid : Pleased To Meet You / First Time

Oraeganmanimnida : Good To Meet You Again

Anjusipsio : Please Sit Down

Mian Hajiman : I’m Sorry

Chamkkan – Man Kidariseyo : Wait A Moment

Ottosimnika : How Are You

Kaja : Lets Go (Impolite)

Kashipsio : Lets Go (Polite)

Ye jol : Etiquette

Jon gyung : Respect

Choong sung : Loyalty (also "eui ri")

Jung jhik : Honesty

Jung shin yuk : mental strength, or martial art spirit (also "moodo jung shin")

Jung do: the "right" way (correctness of action)