Taekwondo poomsae list: Taegeuk 1 to 8 and the black belt forms in order
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Poomsae are the set forms of WT/Kukkiwon taekwondo: sequences of blocks, strikes, kicks and stances performed alone against imaginary opponents. They are tested at every grading and are also a competition event in their own right. This is the full list in order, with what each name refers to.
The coloured belt forms: Taegeuk 1 to 8
The eight Taegeuk forms are learned from the first coloured belts up to black belt. Each is linked to one of the eight trigrams of the I Ching, the same symbols that appear around the circle on the South Korean flag.
- Taegeuk Il Jang – Keon, heaven. The simplest form, built around walking stance, low block, middle punch and front kick.
- Taegeuk I Jang – Tae, joy (lake). Introduces higher blocks and more front kicks.
- Taegeuk Sam Jang – Ri, fire. Adds knife-hand strikes and back stance.
- Taegeuk Sa Jang – Jin, thunder. Brings in side kicks and a double knife-hand block.
- Taegeuk O Jang – Seon, wind. Includes hammer fist and elbow strikes.
- Taegeuk Yuk Jang – Gam, water. Adds roundhouse kicks and a flowing rhythm.
- Taegeuk Chil Jang – Gan, mountain. Introduces tiger stance and more complex blocks.
- Taegeuk Pal Jang – Gon, earth. The last coloured belt form, with jumping front kicks.
Clubs differ on exactly which Taegeuk goes with which belt, since coloured belt systems vary. Older schools may also teach the Palgwae series, which was used before the Taegeuk forms became standard.
The black belt forms (yudanja poomsae)
Kukkiwon links one black belt form to each dan grade:
- Koryo – 1st dan. Named after the Goryeo dynasty, from which the name Korea comes.
- Keumgang – 2nd dan. Means diamond, for hardness and strength; known for its diamond block in a one-legged crane stance and its wide mountain blocks.
- Taebaek – 3rd dan. Named after a sacred mountain linked to the legendary founding of Korea.
- Pyongwon – 4th dan. Means a plain, a vast flat land.
- Sipjin – 5th dan. Refers to ten symbols of longevity.
- Jitae – 6th dan. Represents the earth and a person standing on it.
- Chonkwon – 7th dan. Means heaven; known for its wide, circular arm movements.
- Hansu – 8th dan. Means water, standing for adaptability.
- Ilyeo – 9th dan. Expresses the unity of mind and body.
Spellings vary between sources: Cheonkwon for Chonkwon, Hansoo for Hansu, Pyeongwon for Pyongwon. An older version of Koryo exists but is not the one used for Kukkiwon gradings.
ITF-style taekwondo uses a completely different set of patterns (tul), such as Chon-Ji, Dan-Gun and Do-San, so if your club teaches those, this list is not your syllabus.
How to learn a poomsae well
- Learn the pattern line first. Each form follows a floor shape; walk it slowly before adding techniques.
- Count it out. Break the form into short sections and practise each until it is smooth.
- Stances before speed. Examiners and judges look at stance length, balance and finishing on the starting spot.
- Use video carefully. Videos are useful for the sequence, but details differ between instructors; your own instructor's version is the one you will be tested on.
- Add rhythm and power last. Once the sequence is automatic, work on contrast between slow and fast movements, and on breathing.
Poomsae as a competition event
Recognised poomsae (the forms above) and freestyle poomsae, which mixes acrobatic kicks with music, are both contested at international level under World Taekwondo rules. Many clubs enter students in local poomsae competitions long before they spar competitively.
Which poomsae are you learning now, and which section keeps tripping you up? Share it in the comments.