Kukkiwon/WT Taekwondo uses the following series of forms (called the Yudanja series) for Black Belt forms:
- Koryo (고려) - first dan, also spelled Goryeo and Koryeo ("learned man", symbolizing a wise person)
- An older, deprecated form called Original Koryo also exists, but it isn't considered so by the Kukkiwon (for gradings or the Master Instructor Course) or by WT (for the World Poomsae Championships).
- Keumgang (금강)) - second dan ("diamond", symbolizing hardness, unbreakable)
- Taebaek (태백)) - third dan ("sacred mountain", symbolizing spirituality)
- Pyongwon (평원)- fourth dan, also spelled Pyeong-won ("open plain", symbolizing peacefulness)
- Sipjin (싶진)) - fifth dan, also spelled Shipjin ("eternal 10", symbolizing health and longevity)
- Jitae (지태) - sixth dan (symbolizes mankind as the connection between heaven and earth)
- Cheonkwon (천권) - seventh dan, also spelled Cheon-gwon ("sky", symbolizing piety)
- Hansoo (한수) - eighth dan, also spelled Hansu ("water", symbolizing adaptability)
- Ilyeo (일여) - ninth dan (symbolizing the Buddhist concept of oneness of the mind and body)
Each of the yudanja forms has a floor pattern that traces out a Chinese character or other symbol. Each character is said to represent a characteristic that should be exhibited by a taekwondo master: wise, unbreakable, spiritual, peaceful, long-lived, pious, adaptable, etc.
일여 (ilyeo) refers to the Buddhist concept of oneness of the mind and body, the immaterial and material. The form therefore represents the oneness of mind and body achieved through training, and thus it represents the essence of martial arts. Stemming from Buddhism, the goal of spiritual life is Ilyo, oneness or nirvana. Only in this state is ego overcome. The ideal of taekwondo is Ilyo. It is a discipline in which you concentrate your attention on every movement and in doing so, shed all worldly thoughts and preconceptions.
Official Video[]
The Kukkiwon official video for this form.
GM Kyu Hyung Lee Video[]
The following video is a step-by-step demonstration of Ilyeo, with notes.
Diagram[]
To print the diagram, click on the image and select "See full size image," or right-click and open the image in a new tab.
Written Instructions[]
The Top of the Cross[]
Diamond Block
- Begin from Covered Fist ready position.
- 1. Step forward with the left foot into right Back Stance and execute a Double Knifehand Block.
- 2. Step forward with the right foot into right Front Stance and execute a right reverse Punch.
- 3. Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 counterclockwise into right Back Stance and execute a Diamond Block.
- 4. Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 counterclockwise into right Back Stance and execute a Double Knifehand Block.
- 5. Without stepping, execute a right straight Punch.
The Bottom of the Cross[]
A Crane Back Stance is like a Crane Stance where the off-foot is placed behind the knee of the standing leg.
Crane Back Stance with the Vertical Fingertip Thrust (i.e., Spearhand Thrust)
Single Leg Stance
Side Kick with a Single Mountain Block
High Cross Block
At the end of the High Cross Block, your hands twist to grip the opponent's wrist, then pull the opponent into your Reverse Punch
At the end of the High Cross Block, your hands twist to grip the opponent's wrist, then pull the opponent into your Reverse Punch
Fists to Waist stance
- 6. Jump forward with the right foot into right Crane Back Stance and execute a right Vertical Fingertip Thrust (i.e., spearhand). Kihap.
- 7. Pivoting on the right foot in right Single Leg Stance, slowly execute a left Side Kick while simultaneously executing a Single Mountain Block.
- 8. Set the left foot down into a right Back Stance and quickly execute a High Cross Block.
- 9. Your hands twist and draw the opponent’s wrist while the right foot steps forward into right Front Stance. Execute a right reverse Punch.
- 10. Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 counterclockwise into right Back Stance and execute a Diamond Block.
- 11. Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 counterclockwise into right Back Stance and execute a Double Knifehand Block.
- 12. Without stepping, execute a right straight Punch.
- 13. Jump forward with the right foot into right Crane Back Stance and execute a right Vertical Fingertip Thrust (i.e., spearhand). Kihap.
The Left Side of the Cross[]
- 14. Pivoting on the right foot in right Single Leg Stance, slowly execute a left Side Kick while simultaneously executing a Single Mountain Block.
- 15. Set the left foot down into a right Back Stance and execute a High Cross Block.
- 16. Your hands twist and draw the opponent’s wrist while the right foot steps forward into right Front Stance, then execute a right reverse Punch.
- 17. Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 counterclockwise into right Back Stance and execute a Diamond Block.
- 18. Stepping with the left foot, turn 180 counterclockwise into feet together Closed Stance and bring the fists to the waist.
- 19a. With the left foot fixed, execute a right Front Kick.
The Right Side of the Cross[]
Jump Side Kick
The saddest Baro of them all: there are no more Kukkiwon/WTF-style poomsae to learn after Ilyeo -- you've REALLY reached the end now!
- 19b. Set the right foot down then execute a left Jump Side Kick.
- 19c. Set the left foot down in right Back Stance and execute a High Cross Block.
- 20. Your hands twist and draw the opponent’s wrist while the right foot steps forward into right Front Stance. Execute a right reverse Punch .
- 21. Stepping with the left foot, turn 90 counterclockwise into right Back Stance and execute a Diamond Block.
- 22. Stepping with the left foot, turn 180 counterclockwise into feet together Closed Stance and bring the fists to the waist.
- 23a. With the right foot fixed, execute a left Front Kick .
- 23b. Set the left foot down then execute a right Jump Side Kick.
- 23c. Set the right foot down in left Back Stance and execute a High Cross Block.
- Moving the right foot, return to Covered Fist ready position.
References[]
- Black Belt forms at the Kukkiwon website
- Black Belt forms at the World Taekwondo Federation website
- Black Belt forms at TheSchoolofMartialArts.com