History of Taekwondo

Taegeuk – Belt System & Symbols

Taegeuk is the Korean concept of yin and yang from which all is actualized. Surrounding the yin yang to the left are the eight Palgwe trigrams corresponding to the color belt system used in our school. At GMA our students perform forms, or floor exercises, at each belt level as part of their training for the next belt. Our students perform a set of eight forms known as the Palgwe forms. Each one of the Palgwe forms corresponds to a different belt level.

Palgwe Il Jang 

This is the first Palgwe form and it is performed as a yellow belt.  The form represents the sky and light. The beginning of all life on earth comes from the sky (rain) and light (the sun). This is chosen to represent the beginning form as a student begins their journey in Taekwondo.

Palgwe E Jang

This is the second Palgwe form and it is performed as an orange belt. The form represents joyfulness or lake.The form should be performed with a sense of joy. 

Palgwe Sam Jang

This is the third Palgwe form and it is performed as a green belt.  The form represents fire. Like the flickering of a flame, this form is performed with quick strong motions.

Palgwe Sa Jang

This is the fourth Palgwe form and it is performed as a blue belt.  The form represents thunder. This form should be performed with strong and deliberate movements representing the power of thunder. 

Palgwe O Jang

This is the fifth Palgwe form and it is performed as a purple belt.  The form represents wind.  The form contains a large number of movements that are properly performed as quick and flowing as the wind.

Palgwe Yuk Jang

This is the sixth Palgwe form and it is performed as a brown belt.  The form represents water.  This form contains movements that are to be performed with a sense of flowing as does water in a stream.

Palgwe Chil Jang

This is the seventh Palgwe form and it is performed as a red belt.  The form represents mountain. It is a powerful form and should be performed with a sense for the power and strength of mountains. There are a number of mountain ranges in Korea that contain specific mountains important in Korean culture.

Palgwe Pal Jang

This is the eighth Palgwe form and it is performed as a high red belt.  The form represents the earth. The form should be performed with feeling for the earth, its’ firmness, and the life it gives.

Character in Martial Arts

At Guilderland Martial Arts we consider character development in Taekwondo as important, if not more important, than the physical aspects of training. No where is this illustrated better than in the Five Tenets of Taekwondo. 

Each of these five aspects of character can be applied to the life of any child or adult. There are many situations both in and out of our school that teach:

I. Self Control

The ability to control our minds and our bodies for optimum learning and quality life.

Examples: Sitting straight at school, standing straight in Taekwondo class, driving with in the speed limit, eating a healthy amount of food.

II. Indomitable Spirit

The ability to maintain high spirits and positive attitude despite any negativity or obstacles one may encounter.

Examples:  Not being affected by people who boo, keeping a positive attitude at work when coworkers speak negatively about you or a situation, being happy at school even if someone says something negative about you.

III. Courtesy

Being kind and respectful to everyone, even if they are not courteous to you.

Examples:  Smiling at people you encounter, holding doors for people, letting some one get in front of you in line or in traffic, being selfless, picking up trash you see on a walk.

IV. Perseverance

Never ever giving up.

Examples: Continue your attempt at breaking a board no matter how many times you miss, continue to pursue a class no matter how hard it is, keep trying to do any thing you really want to do until you are successful.

V. Integrity

Doing the right thing even when nobody is watching you.

Examples: Showing great self control in class even if the instructor is not watching, following rules at school when the teacher cannot see you, obeying the speed limit when there are no police around.