1st Dan (Black belt) Taekwondo theory
The theory a black belt studies for the grading to 2nd Dan (black belt, 2nd degree): the pattern Kwang-Gae, Po-Eun and Ge-Baek, 28 Korean terms, and 21 revision questions with answers. All of it is also in the free Theory Trainer quiz.
What the black belt means
Black is opposite to white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon-Do. It also represents the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.
Patterns: Kwang-Gae, Po-Eun and Ge-Baek
Kwang-Gae
- Grade
- 1st Dan (Black belt)
- Movements
- 39
- Ready stance
- Parallel stance with a heaven hand
Kwang-Gae is named after the famous Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne.
The 39 movements of Kwang-Gae refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year King Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang came to the throne.
Po-Eun
- Grade
- 1st Dan (Black belt)
- Movements
- 36
Po-Eun is the pseudonym of a loyal subject Chong Mong-Chu (1400) who was a famous poet and whose poem "I would not serve a second master though I might be crucified a hundred times" is known to every Korean. He was also a pioneer in the field of physics. The diagram represents his unerring loyalty to the king and country towards the end of the Koryo Dynasty.
Po-Eun has 36 movements. It is named after the loyal subject and poet Chong Mong-Chu.
Ge-Baek
- Grade
- 1st Dan (Black belt)
- Movements
- 44
- Ready stance
- Parallel ready stance
Ge-Baek is named after Ge-Baek, a great general in the Baek Je Dynasty (660 AD). The diagram represents his severe and strict military discipline.
Ge-Baek has 44 movements. It is named after Ge-Baek, a great general of the Baek Je Dynasty in 660 AD.
Korean terms for 1st Dan
| English | Korean |
|---|---|
| 9 shaped block | Gutcha makgi |
| Angle punch | Giokja jirugi |
| Arm | Pal |
| Back elbow thrust | Dwit palkup taerigi |
| Back hand | Sondung |
| Back of forearm | Dung palmok |
| Base of knifehand | Sonkal batang |
| Breaking | Gyokpa |
| Chest | Gasum |
| Crescent kick | Bandal chagi |
| Eye | Angoo |
| Fingers | Songarak |
| Flat fingertips | Opun sonkut |
| Grabbing | Butjaba |
| Horizontal punch | Soopyong jirugi |
| Knuckle fist | Joongi joomuk |
| Leg | Dari |
| Reverse knifehand block | Sonkal dung makgi |
| Rising knee kick | Ollyo moorup chagi |
| Rising palm heel block | Ollyo sonbadak makgi |
| Sliding | Mikulgi |
| Straight fingertips | Sun sonkut |
| Turn | Dolgi |
| Twin side elbow thrust | Sang yop palkup tulgi |
| U-shaped grasp | Mong dung i japki |
| Under | Mit |
| Under fist | Mit joomuk |
| Under forearm | Mit palmok |
1st Dan grading questions and answers
Kwang-Gae Tul
- How many movements are in Kwang-Gae?39The 39 movements of Kwang-Gae refer to the first two figures of 391 AD, the year King Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang came to the throne.
- Kwang-Gae is named after…Kwang-Gae-Toh-Wang, the 19th King of the Koguryo Dynasty
- What did King Kwang-Gae achieve?He regained all the lost territories, including most of Manchuria
- What does the Kwang-Gae diagram represent?The expansion and recovery of lost territory
- What do the 39 movements of Kwang-Gae refer to?The first two figures of 391 AD, the year he came to the throne
- True or false: Kwang-Gae starts in parallel stance with a heaven hand.True
Po-Eun Tul
- How many movements are in Po-Eun?36Po-Eun has 36 movements. It is named after the loyal subject and poet Chong Mong-Chu.
- Po-Eun is the pseudonym of the loyal subject ______.Chong Mong-Chu
- True or false: Chong Mong-Chu was a famous poet.True
- "I would not serve a second ______ though I might be crucified a hundred times."master
- What does the Po-Eun diagram represent?His unerring loyalty to the king and country
Ge-Baek Tul
- How many movements are in Ge-Baek?44Ge-Baek has 44 movements. It is named after Ge-Baek, a great general of the Baek Je Dynasty in 660 AD.
- Who was Ge-Baek?A great general of the Baek Je Dynasty
- When did General Ge-Baek live?660 AD
- What does the Ge-Baek diagram represent?His severe and strict military discipline
- Match the 1st Dan patterns to their movement countsKwang-Gae: 39; Po-Eun: 36; Ge-Baek: 44
Black Belt Knowledge
- Match each pattern to what its diagram representsYul-Gok: Scholar; Kwang-Gae: Recovery of lost territory; Po-Eun: Loyalty; Ge-Baek: Military discipline
- Which of these is a 2nd Dan pattern? (Chon-Ji, Hwa-Rang, Ko-Dang or Toi-Gye)Ko-Dang
- Which pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolise a regrettable death?Choong-Moo
- Which pattern is named after a king?Kwang-Gae
- True or false: Ge-Baek starts in parallel ready stance.True
More Taekwondo theory
- Taekwondo theory: the complete guide
- Patterns: meanings and movements
- Korean terminology
- The tenets and student oath
- Belt colours and meanings