The word "Taeguek" comprises two Chinese characters:  "Tae" meaning
'joyfullness' and "Geuk" meaning 'eternity'.  Taegeuk is the philosophical
idea from which our views on life and the universe are derived.  It has no
form, no beginning, no ending.  Nevertheless, everything is embodied in and has
for its origin Taegeuk.
        From the Taegeuk are derived eight major philosophical concepts, each
of which is represented by its respective Chinese character.  Accordingly,
movement lines along these patterns are traditionally represented by these
eight symbols, or "Palgue".  These Palgue are arranged in a circle with each
across from its complimentary opposite.  The pairs are:  Keon/Gon, Tae/Gan,
Ri/Gam, and Jin/Seon.  The Taegeuk and Palgue patterns 1 through 8 are
based upon these eight principles.
        The individual Palgue patterns do not have a directly corresponding
'gue' (or 'gwe') with which they are identified.  Instead, one should bear in
mind all facets of the palgue while performing these forms, noticing the
different expressions as they happen.
        The Taegeuk patterns, however, correspond one-to-one with the list
below.  During each form, one should focus on interpreting the pattern's
corresponding 'gue' and expressing it throughout.
 
 

        Il Jang (First Taegeuk Pattern):
        _______________________

        Being the first pattern, its actions are associated with the first of
the eight Palgue which is called "keon".  Keon is the creative force which
inhabits all physical forms.  Keon is powerful and aggressive, and it is
represented by heaven and light.
        Il Jang applies the principles of Keon to its form.  The heavens give
us rain, and light makes all things grow.  Therefore, keon is the beginning of
everything on Earth and the source of its creation.  Accordingly, these pattern
sets begin with keon, namely "the heavens".
        As a student, you are urged to consider this concept as you perform
this first form, and allow it to influence the styling of your movements.
 

        Ee Jang (Second Taegeuk Pattern):
        ________________________

        Applies the principle of "Tae", meaning 'joyfullness'.  Tae is manifest
through a clear and relaxed mind, full of positive thoughts.  This is a state
in which one's mind is kept firm and appears gentle so that smile and virtue
prevail.  Accordingly, the actions of this poomse should be performed gently
but forcefully.
        Tae is a spiritually uplifting nature, but is not aggressive.  It is
serene and gentle instead.  In compliance with these characteristics then, the
actions of this form should be performed with ease and fluidity; without the
sense of struggling against your limitations, but nevertheless, living fully
within them.
 

        Sam Jang (Third Taegeuk Pattern):
        ________________________

        Concerns actions applying the principle of "Ri", meaning 'fire' or the
'Sun'.  It is expressed through enthusiasm in practice.  A burning fire brings
men light, warmth, enthusiasm, and hope.  The movements of this form must
emulate the qualities of fire -- that of a flickering energy, of unpredictable
pace and styling, and of quiet followed by great excitement and passion -- but
continually moving, burning.
        The sam jang's actions, accordingly, should be performed with variety
and passion.  Actions of hands, feet, and body are successively used in defense.
These actions help us attain briskness when we execute attacks.  The movements
associated with this form demand a variety of quickness and strength.
 

        Sah Jang (Fourth Taegeuk Pattern):
        _________________________

        Sah Jang is a series of actions applying the principle of "Jin".  Jin
symbolizes 'thunder' (noise without substance), and is expressed as bravery and
steadfastness.  Thunder and lightning are objects of fear and trembling.  This
principle suggests that we should act calmly and bravely even in the face of
danger and fear.
        Because tae kwon do is comprised exclusively of virtuous actions, these
patterns express fear and trembling in the only way that virtue allows --
stoically, as a passing thunderstorm which nourishes the soul.  Virtue,
therefore, defines fear as courage.
        This form, as a consequence, contains many postures that display
composure and strong balance such as blocks in combination with strikes, and
front kicks that require the performer to kick with force but immediately
recover into a back stance.
 

        Oh Jang (Fifth Taegeuk Pattern):
        _______________________

        Oh Jang is a series of actions applying the "Seon" principle of Palgue.
This sybolizes 'wind' (substance without noise).  Wind changes directions and
force without warning.  Therefore, the principle of the pattern is one of
contrasts; the gentle movements contrasting the violent.
        Seon encompasses the characteristics of wind:  gentle and strong;
yielding and penetrating; soothing and destructive; invisible, yet manifesting.
The concept of seon is of a subtle nature, but pure, without evil intent; it is
a state of being, the state of being like wind.
        While there are such violent winds as typhoons, hurricanes and
tornados, the nature of wind is gentle.  Seon symbolizes the humble state of
mind.  It expresses repetitive good-natured actions.  Actions proceed sometimes
gently and monotonously as breeze, but sometimes as forcefully as storms.
These differing manifestations of one essence must be balanced throughout the
actions of this poomse.
 

        Yook Jang (Sixth Taegeuk Pattern):
        _________________________

        This pattern applies the principle of "Gam", or 'water'.  Water is
liquid and formless.  Water never loses its nature.  It flows around and
absorbs all things.  The stone dropped into the lake sinks through it without
resistance, leaving the water untroubled.  It always flows downward.  This
principle teaches the lesson that we can overcome difficulties and hardship
if we go forward with self-confidence.  No matter what troubles we face or
encounter in life, there exists no doubt of overcoming them as long as we
retain the qualities of acceptance, flow, and natural integrity.
        This set of movements must be performed with fluidity, and the feeling
that every action is exactly what is called for to overcome the situation at
each particular instant.  Actions of this pattern resemble the nature of water,
such as the passing over of disconnection through kicking.
 

        Chil Jang (Seventh Taegeuk Pattern):
        ___________________________

        Chil Jang applies the principle of "Gan".  Gan means "top stop" and is
usually symbolized by the immovable mountain.  We must go forward when it is
required and stop when it is required, each at their appropriate instant.
Moving and stopping should match with time in order to achieve.  A mountain
never moves.  Man should learn the stability of the mountain, and not act in a
hasty manner.  Though fast actions seem fine, we should know where and when to
stop.  This pattern reflects the need to combine movement and non-movement in
respsonse to an attack.
        The stability of the mountain is defined as the structural soundness
which results from having resolved one's ambition to touch heaven in the
limitation of excellent form.  This resolution is of a noble and majestic
character; thus, the image of the mountain.
        The tiger stance (beom-seogi), in which most of our weight is settled
on the back leg, expresses this peculiar stability which also contains
ambition and allows for freedom of movement.
 

        Pal Jang (Eighth Taegeuk Pattern):
        ________________________

        Pal Jang is a series of actions applying the "Gon" principle of Palgue.
Gon symbolizes 'Earth'.  The Earth is that from which all life springs, matures,
and dies.  Things take life from gon; they grow from it, drawing limitless
energy from it.  Gon is defined as being completely receptive.  Its metaphysic
is pure yang.  The earth is where the creative force of heaven and light (keon)
is realized into physical form.  The earth is always wordless; it hugs and
grows everything.
        This pal jang is the gup-holder's last round of training, and a stepping
stone to the way of a dan-holder.  Here you review fundamental actions and
concepts found in the previous forms.  This is the platform from which the more
advanced patterns can be studied.
 

_______________________________________________________________________________
References:

Pu Gil Gwon.  Taegeuk: The New Forms of TaeKwonDo.  O'hara.

World TaeKwonDo Federation.  Forms (Poomse).  WTF.