Taegeuk Chil Jang is the seventh of eight "taegeuk" forms (i.e., poomsae) used by Kukkiwon and World Taekwondo (WT). The word "chil" is the number 7 in the sino-Korean numbering system.
Each taegeuk form is represented by a trigram (such as ☶); trigrams are divination symbols derived from the I Ching. The trigram for Taegeuk Chil Jang represents the concept of "Kan" (also spelled Gan). Kan represents a mountain peak, which is solid, stable, and unmovable. This form teaches commitment to both motion and to immobility, with rapid movements forward followed by sudden stops. (See the article Taegeuk for additional detail regarding the symbolism of this form.)
This form introduces the Cat Stance (also called Tiger Stance), the Knee Strike, and the Crescent Kick as well as a number of new blocks. Some say the prominence of the Tiger Stance in this form is also associated with the "mountain" symbology of the form, since in Korean culture tigers are associated with life in the mountains.
The blocks in this form are intended to reflect immovability (like a mountain); i.e., rather than reflecting the blows, they take the blows head-on. This can be seen for example at step 16, the Low Cross Block. 2nd Gup grade trainees practice this poomsae. Unlike previous Taegeuk forms, this form introduces an exceptionally large number of new techniques.
Official Video[]
The Kukkiwon official video for this form.
GM Kyu Hyung Lee Video[]
The following video is a step-by-step demonstration of Taegeuk Chil Jang, with notes.
Video with Notes[]
The following video is a step-by-step demonstration of Taegeuk Chil Jang, with notes.
Video from Behind[]
Often it's useful to watch a video that's viewed from behind the performer's starting position.
Diagram[]
To print the diagram, click on the image and select "See full size image," or right-click and open the image in a new tab.
New movements in this form: Tiger Stance (at step 7), Covered Fist (step 11), Scissors Block (at step 12), Knee Strike (at step 15a), Opening Block (at step 14), Double Uppercut (at step 15b), Cross Block (at step 16), Target Cresent Kick (at step 21a), Side Block (at step 14), Horse Stance (at step 21b).
Other movements in this form: Palmheel Block, Front Kick, Inward Block, Knifehand Block, Backfist Strike, Elbow Strike.
Written Instructions[]
Like all Taegeuk forms, this poomsae is performed on three lines. Imagine three parallel lines laid out side-to-side before you. You first perform the steps on the first line, then step forward to the second line, perform the steps on the second line, step forward to the third line, etc. The left side of each line is a mirror image of the right side of the line.
FIRST LINE[]
- Start in the Ready position or "joon-bee" stance
- FIRST GOING LEFT (Da 1)...
- 1. Turn left 90 degrees into left tiger stance (i.e., left foot forward). Right inward palmheel block.
- 2a. Right front kick, then put the right foot back down to return to left tiger stance.
- 2b. As you return to the tiger stance, simultaneously left inward block.
- THEN GOING RIGHT (Ra 1)...
- 3. Step right with the right foot to right 180 degrees into right tiger stance, left inward palmheel block.
- 4a. Left front kick, then again return to tiger stance.
- 4b. As you return to the tiger stance, simultaneously right inward block.
- TRANSITION TO THE SECOND LINE...
- 5. Step left with the left foot to turn left 90 degrees into right back stance (i.e., left foot forward). Chamber the left knifehand (palm-up) to the right collar and extend the right knifehand (palm-down) away from the body, then perform a leftward double knifehand low block.
- 6. Step forward into left back stance (i.e., right foot forward), chamber as before, but this time for a rightward double knifehand low block.
SECOND LINE[]
- FIRST GOING LEFT (Da 2)...
- 7. Step with the left foot to turn left into left tiger stance (i.e., left foot forward). Extend the left arm forward then chamber the right knifehand to your side, then perform a right augmented palmheel inward block; the left fist should be under the right elbow, supporting the elbow of the blocking arm.
- 8a-b. Twist the upper body slightly to the left, then back to the right again and execute a right augmented backfist strike. The left fist remains palm-down under right elbow.
- THEN GOING RIGHT (Ra 2)...
- 9. Pivot to the right 180 degrees into right tiger stance. Left augmented palmheel inward block.
- 10a-b. Twist the upper body as before and execute a left augmented backfist strike. The right fist remains palm-down under left elbow as you transition from the block to this strike.
- TRANSITION TO THE THIRD LINE...
- 11. Covered Fist: pivot to the left and bring the left foot to the right foot into a closed stance. Bring both hands into a chamber position on your waist with palms up; the left hand covering the right fist at abdomen level; slowly extend your arms upwards (a 5-count) to chest level then outwards (a 3-count).
- Now you're going to do two double-scissors blocks. That's a total of 4 scissors. The first pair starts with the left hand chambered low. The second pair starts with the right hand chambered low.
- 12a-b. Step forward with the left foot into left front stance. Chamber the left arm low (and the right arm high) and perform a Scissor block (the left arm does an outward block and right hand does a low block at same time). Then chamber the right arm low (and the left arm high) and do another scissor block, this time in the reverse direction.
- 13a-b. Step forward with the right foot into right front stance. Do another double Scissor Block, this time the right-arm chambers low first, then the left arm.
- So in other words, the chambering pattern for the above scissors blocks is this: left low, right low; step; right low, left low.
THIRD LINE[]
- FIRST MOVING RIGHT (Ra 3)...
- 14. Chamber by crossing both arms in front of the chest (slightly away from the chest), then step with the left foot to turn 270 degrees left into left front stance. Middle-height opening block, i.e., double outside block (breaking your opponent's grip on your neck or shoulders). The elbows should remain in, pointed downward, not pointing outside the body.
- 15a. Still in front stance, reach up and grab the head of your opponent with both hands, bring both hands down into fists and bring right knee up (to knee strike the opponent's head). At the conclusion of this movement, keep your fists down by your waist, palm down, to chamber for the upcoming uppercuts.
- 15b. Hop forward to land on right foot with left foot crossed behind in a cross stance. Double uppercut (palm up) to opponent's ribs.
- 16. Chamber both fists to the left waist (like a small hinge block), then slide left foot back into right front stance. Low cross block with the right wrist on the bottom. Memory tip: whichever leg is forward, that's which wrist should be on the bottom for the cross block.
- THEN MOVING LEFT (Da 3)...
- 17. Again chamber by crossing both arms in front of your chest. Step with the right foot to turn 180 degrees right into right front stance. Middle-height Opening block, i.e., double outside block.
- 18a. Still in front stance, reach up and grab the head of your opponent with both hands, bring hands down into fists and bring left knee up (to knee strike the opponent's head).
- 18b. Hop forward to land on left foot with right foot crossed behind in a cross stance. Double uppercut (palm up) to opponent's ribs.
- 19. Chamber both fists to the left waist and slide right foot back into left front stance. Low cross block with the left wrist on the bottom.
- TRANSITION BACK TO THE FIRST LINE...
- Note: the idea behind steps 20-21b is that you’re doing a long combination: first you backfist the opponent’s temple, then with the same hand you grab the back of his head, then kick him in the face with your inward crescent kick while you’re still holding his head, then pull his head down into an elbow strike.
- 20. Step left with the left foot to turn left 90 degrees into left Walking Stance. Left outward backfist to the opponent’s temple (chamber the fist above the right shoulder to prepare for the outward backfist strike).
- Even though technically you’ve “turned left” by 90 degrees, really at this point it may feel more like you just straightened up from the low cross block and then performed a backfist strike. It doesn’t really feel like that much of a “turn.”
- 21a. Open the left fist as if to hold the opponent's head, then perform a right crescent target kick (slapping the palm of the left hand with the instep of your right foot).
- When performing this crescent kick, don’t “swing wide” with your leg. Instead, your leg should rise almost straight up to hit the opponent’s face.
- 21b. Land in a horse stance (facing Ra). Right elbow target strike (into the open palm of your left hand).
- 20. Step left with the left foot to turn left 90 degrees into left Walking Stance. Left outward backfist to the opponent’s temple (chamber the fist above the right shoulder to prepare for the outward backfist strike).
- For steps 22-23b, you’re performing the same combination, now to the other side.
- 22. Slide left foot forward into right walking stance. Right outward backfist to the temple (chamber the backfist above left shoulder).
- 23a. Open the right fist, left crescent target kick (slapping the palm of right hand with the sole of your left foot).
- 23b. Land in a horse stance, left elbow target strike (into open palm of your right hand).
- 24. Without stepping, still in a Horse Stance looking left, single knifehand middle block to the left side of your body.
- 25. Step forward with the right foot to pivot 180 degrees into horse stance looking right. Right side punch, "Kihap."
- When the master says "bah-ro", step with the left foot to turn and face the master in ready position. If you did everything correctly, you should (as usual) wind up right where you started.
Wallpapers[]
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Other Forms in the Taegeuk Series[]
- Taegeuk Il Jang also called Taegeuk 1 Jang
- Taegeuk Yi Jang also spelled Taegeuk Ee Jang, or Taegeuk 2 Jang
- Taegeuk Sam Jang also spelled Taegeuk Sahm Jang, or Taegeuk 3 Jang
- Taegeuk Sa Jang also spelled Taegeuk Sah Jang, or Taegeuk 4 Jang
- Taegeuk Oh Jang also spelled Taegeuk O Jang, or Taegeuk 5 Jang
- Taegeuk Yook Jang also spelled Taegeuk Yuk Jang, or Taegeuk 6 Jang
- Taegeuk Chil Jang also called Taegeuk 7 Jang
- Taegeuk Pal Jang also spelled Taegeuk Phal Jang, or Taegeuk 8 Jang
See Also[]
- Poomsae webpage at World Taekwondo Federation (WTF)
- Poomsae webpage at Kukkiwon, the WTF headquarters
- Grand Master Kyu Hyung Lee demonstrating Taegeuk Il Jang on YouTube
- List of Taekwondo techniques at Wikipedia
- Taegeuk Chil Jang on Taekwondo Animals
- Taegeuk Chil Jang at Taekwondo Preschool
- Taegeuk Chil Jang on Black Belt Wiki
- Taegeuk Chil Jang on Poomse.me
- Taegeuk Chil Jang on Taekwondo Bible, a Korean-developed website