Question: I have read that the black belt Taekwondo forms are each associated with an I Ching trigram. Are these correspondences emphasized in any dojangs? What can I take away from these associations? 

The correspondences between the trigrams and the eight changing palms of bagua are fairly well documented, but it seems like the associations in Taekwondo are incidental and not particularly focused on. If your dojang *does* focus on I Ching, can you tell me how extensive this study is and what, if anything, you've learned from it?

Answer: 
For WTF/Kukkiwon taekwondo the black belt forms: koryo (virtueous man), keumgueng (diamond and mountain), taebaek (bright mountain), pyongwan (a vast plain), sipjin (life and longevity), jitae (struggle and aspiration), chonkwon (heaven), hanseu (water) seem to be paths towards Ilyeo (Buddhist enlightenment). There may be some incidental references to water, earth, mountain, and heaven as those are essential trigrams of the i-ching, but the path of the poomse suggests to use the gifts of the Earth to go beyond the struggle of man towards Buddhist enlightenment especially as the symbolic references of the latter forms are of softer elements and embracing of the spirit of Heaven and selflessness. So in a way they follow the course of change (e.g. I ching) You also have to remember that I Ching is a Chinese /Confucius philosophy and the Koreans have adopted some of these, but it seems that the taekwondo forms (specifically, the Kukkiwon standard ones) are less about I Ching than a path towards selflessness and enlightenment (other than change, in of itself). 

The I Ching is a deep discussion of all changes in and around the Earth and can represent the boundless opportunities and chances that are here. It would be neat to see the forms try to encompass this vast philosophy, but I do not think the current set of black belt (or even taeguek or palgwe series) would yield as much meaning as the I Ching.
In Kukkiwon/WTF Taekwondo, the *poomsae* (forms), required for *geup* (below *dan* black belt) grades are associated with I Ching symbols.

In the "Complete Taekwondo Poomsae: The Official Taegeuk, Palgawe and Black Belt Forms" book, page 24, states that the "Poomsae reflect the characteristics of Korean culture", including the "eight trigrams, wich originate from the Tegeukki (Korean flag)".

[![enter image description here](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6fuf7.png)](https://i.stack.imgur.com/6fuf7.png)

The [Taekwondo Wikia](http://taekwondo.wikia.com/wiki/Taegeuk_Poomsae) website provides more in depth explanation of this relation:

* Taegeuk Il Jang: ☰ "Keon" The Sky, the Heavens
* Taegeuk Ee Jang: ☱ "Tae" Lake
* Taegeuk Sam Jang: ☲ "Ree" Fire
* Taegeuk Sa Jang: ☳ "Jin" Thunder
* Taegeuk Oh Jang: ☴ "Seon" Wind
* Taegeuk Yook Jang: ☵ "Kam" Water
* Taegeuk Chil Jang: ☶ "Kan" Mountain
* Taegeuk Pal Jang: ☷ "Gon" The Earth, the Ground

The 1st, 3rd, 6th and 8th are the four symbols in the Korean flag: Sky, Fire, Water and Earth.

The movements in each form are inspired by what it represents. For example, in the Chil Jang, associated with the Mountain, introduces the Tiger stance, known to live near mountains; in the Yook Jang the movements are similar to a water flow.

Additionally, the floor pattern of each form draws the three lines of the corresponding I Ching symbol. When performing the "lines" with movements to the side, turning with your front foot represents a solid line, pivoting in place represents a broken line.

For example, on the Taegeuk Ee Jang, the ☱ three lines are represented like this (from the bottom to the top line):

* you first move left, and then turn back, to the right with your front foot, performing a solid line
* you then advance to the second line, and repeat a solid line
* on the third line you turn back pivoting in place, representing a broken line.