Interpretation of Chang Hun Hyung (1-9)

  1. Chon Ji (19 movements): Chon Ji means "Heaven and Earth." It is interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history, therefore, it is the initial Hyung performed by the beginners. It consists of two similar parts - first 8 movements represent the Heaven, the next 8 movements, the Earth, and the last three, the harmony of the Universe.
  2. Dan Gun (21 movements): Dan Gun is named after the Holy Dan Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year of 2333 BC.
  3. Do San (24 movements): Do San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876-1938) who devoted his entire life to furthering the education of Korea and its independent movement.
  4. Won Hyo (28 movements): Won Hyo was the noted monk of the Silla dynasty who secularized Buddhism by making Buddhist doctrine more understandable to the people. He died in the year AD 686.
  5. Yul Kok (38 movements): Yul Kok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Lee E (1536-1584) nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea." The 38 movements of the Hyung refer to his birth-place on the 38th latitude and the diagram represents scholar.
  6. Joong Gun (32 movements): Joong Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong Gun who executed the first Japanese governor-general (who played the leading role in the Korea-Japan annexation in 1910) when he entered his strategic territory in Manchuria. The 32 movements represent Mr. Ahn's age when he was killed by Japanese in 1910.
  7. Toe Gye (37 movements): Toe Gye is the pseudonym of the noted scholar Lee Hwang, an authority on neo-Confucianism. The 37 movements refer to his birth-place on 37th latitude, and the diagram refers to scholar.
  8. Hwa Rang (29 movements): Hwa Rang was a youth cadet group of the Silla dynasty, which was the driving force for the unification of the Three Kingdoms. The 29 movements refer to the 29th Infantry Division (Tiger Division) of Korea, where Tae Kwon Do developed into maturity and tested the effectiveness of Tae Kwon Do during the Vietnam War.
  9. Choong Moo (30 movements): Choong Moo was the given name to the great Admiral Lee Soon Shin of the Yi dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship "Ko Book Sun" which was the predecessor of the present day submarine in 1592. The reason why this Hyung ends with a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death having no chance to show his unrestrained loyalty to the king.