Patterns – Each Belt level has it’s Own Pattern(s) Patterns form
an important aspect of training in Taekwon-Do. The majority of
the patterns start with a defensive move, which emphasizes
taekwon-do’s defensive nature. All of the patterns start and end
at the same location. This ensures that the practitioners’
stances are the correct length, width, and in the proper
direction. There are 24 patterns in the official ITF syllabus;
this is symbolic of the 24 hours in a day. The names of these
patterns typically refer either to events in Korean history or
to important people in Korean history. Elements of the patterns
may also be historical references, such as the number of moves,
the diagram, the way the pattern ends, and so on. Patterns are
performed in accordance with “The Encyclopaedia of Taekwon-Do”
in 15 volumes written by General Choi Hong Hi, the latest
edition being from 1999. This comprehensive work contains 15
volumes with volumes 8 through 15 dedicated to the 24 patterns
and containing descriptions of t