Blue Tag

 

Pattern:- Yul Gok Tul (38 movements). 

 

Yul Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and teacher Yi I (1536-1584). He was nicknamed the Confucius of Korea. The 38 movements of the pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38th degree latitidue. 

 

Belt:- Blue

 

Blue belt signifies the heaven, as the plant grows into a towering tree as Tae Kwon Do skills become proficient.

 

Origins of Yul Gok

 

Yi I was born on December 26th 1538 in Kangwon Province. He was a child prodigy who knew Chinese script aged 3 and composed poems in Chinese before he reached his 7th birthday. Aged 13, he passed the Civil Service literary examinations. 

 

Aged 29, Yi I passed a higher Civil Service examination with full marks, and started government service. He wrote a thesis on the subject of Ch'ondoch'aek which was regarded as a literary masterpiece, reflecting his vast knowledge of politics, philosophy and his knowledge of Taoism. 

 

He took the pen name Yul-Gok, meaning "Valley of Chestnuts", and became a great Confucian scholar, revered as thew greatest teacher in the East. Aged 34, he authored "Tongho Mundap", an eleven article treatise about his conviction that righteous government could be achieved even in his lifetime. 

 

Following the death of his mother, he temporarily renounced the world and secluded himself in the Diamond Mountains. Upon his return to society, he authored "The Essentials of Confucianism" in 1576. 

 

Yul Gok died in 1584, and his complete works was compiled after his death on the basis of the writings he had bequeathed. 

 

Theory and Terminology

 

Hooking Block                                   Golcho Makgi

Elbow Strike                                       Palkup Taerigi

 Twin Knifehand Block                     Sang Sonkal Makgi

 Back Fist Strike                                 Dung Joomuk Taerigi

 'X' Stance                                           Kyocha Sogi

 Double Forearm Block                     Doo Palmok Makgi