Taegeuk 8
태극 8장 (Pal Jang)
About This Pattern
Taegeuk 8 represents the trigram "Gon" (坤), symbolising Earth. Earth is the source of all life, receptive and nurturing. This is the final Taegeuk pattern before black belt, representing the conclusion of the colour belt journey and the beginning of a new chapter. The student should perform this pattern with the confidence and maturity developed through their training.
New techniques introduced: Jumping double front kick (Eedan ap chagi), Double fist block (Doo jumeok makgi), Mountain block (Santeul makgi), Slow uppercut (Teok jireugi)
Floor Diagram
The pattern follows an "I" shape. Start at the red circle, facing forward (toward the top of the diagram). Numbers show the sequence of movements.
Step-by-Step Movements
Turn 90° LEFT
Back stance (Dwit kubi) + Double middle block (Doo jumeok momtong makgi)
뒷굽이 + 두주먹 몸통막기
Slide into front stance
Walking stance (Ap kubi) + Reverse middle punch (Momtong bandae jireugi)
앞굽이 + 몸통반대지르기
Jump FORWARD - KIHAP!
Jumping double front kick (Eedan ap chagi) → Walking stance + Inside block + Double punch
이단 앞차기 → 안막기 + 두번지르기 - 기합!
Step FORWARD
Walking stance (Ap kubi) + Middle punch (Momtong jireugi)
앞굽이 + 몸통지르기
Turn 270° LEFT
Walking stance (Ap kubi) + Low block + Single mountain high block (Arae makgi + Santeul makgi)
아래막기 + 산틀막기
Step FORWARD + Grab
Walking stance + Grab collar + Slow uppercut (Dangyo teok jireugi) - SLOW MOTION
잡고 + 천천히 턱지르기
Turn 180° RIGHT (step back)
Walking stance (Ap kubi) + Low block + Single mountain high block (Arae makgi + Santeul makgi)
아래막기 + 산틀막기
Step FORWARD + Grab
Walking stance + Grab collar + Slow uppercut (Dangyo teok jireugi) - SLOW MOTION
잡고 + 천천히 턱지르기
Turn 270° LEFT
Back stance (Dwit kubi) + Double knife-hand block (Sonnal momtong makgi)
뒷굽이 + 손날 몸통막기
Step FORWARD
Walking stance (Ap kubi) + Middle punch (Momtong jireugi)
앞굽이 + 몸통지르기
Front kick + Pull back
Right front kick (Ap chagi) → Pull back to tiger stance + Palm block (Batangson makgi)
앞차기 → 범서기 + 바탕손막기
Turn 90° LEFT
Tiger stance (Beom seogi) + Double knife-hand block (Sonnal momtong makgi)
범서기 + 손날 몸통막기
Front kick + Land forward
Left front kick (Ap chagi) → Walking stance + Middle punch (Momtong jireugi)
앞차기 → 앞굽이 + 몸통지르기
Pull back to tiger stance
Tiger stance (Beom seogi) + Palm block (Batangson makgi)
범서기 + 바탕손막기
Turn 180° RIGHT
Tiger stance (Beom seogi) + Double knife-hand block (Sonnal momtong makgi)
범서기 + 손날 몸통막기
Front kick + Land forward
Right front kick (Ap chagi) → Walking stance + Middle punch (Momtong jireugi)
앞차기 → 앞굽이 + 몸통지르기
Pull back to tiger stance
Tiger stance (Beom seogi) + Palm block (Batangson makgi)
범서기 + 바탕손막기
Turn 90° RIGHT
Back stance (Dwit kubi) + Double fist low block (Doo jumeok arae makgi)
뒷굽이 + 두주먹 아래막기
Jump FORWARD - KIHAP!
Jumping double front kick (Eedan ap chagi) → Walking stance + Inside block + Double punch
이단 앞차기 → 안막기 + 두번지르기 - 기합!
Turn 270° LEFT
Back stance (Dwit kubi) + Single knife-hand block (Hanson sonnal makgi)
뒷굽이 + 한손 손날막기
Step FORWARD
Walking stance + Elbow strike + Backfist + Middle punch (Palkup chigi + Deung jumeok + Momtong jireugi)
팔굽치기 + 등주먹치기 + 몸통지르기
Turn 180° RIGHT
Back stance (Dwit kubi) + Single knife-hand block (Hanson sonnal makgi)
뒷굽이 + 한손 손날막기
Step FORWARD
Walking stance + Elbow strike + Backfist + Middle punch (Palkup chigi + Deung jumeok + Momtong jireugi)
팔굽치기 + 등주먹치기 + 몸통지르기
Turn 90° LEFT
Return to ready stance (Junbi)
준비
Movement 24 brings you back to the starting position facing the original direction.
Techniques in This Pattern
Stances
- Walking stance (Ap kubi)
- Back stance (Dwit kubi)
- Tiger stance (Beom seogi)
Blocks
- Low block (Arae makgi)
- Inside block (An makgi)
- Double fist block (Doo jumeok makgi) - NEW
- Knife-hand block (Sonnal makgi)
- Single knife-hand block (Hanson sonnal makgi)
- Mountain block (Santeul makgi) - NEW
- Palm block (Batangson makgi)
Hand Techniques
- Middle punch (Momtong jireugi)
- Double punch (Du-bon jireugi)
- Reverse punch (Bandae jireugi)
- Backfist (Deung jumeok chigi)
- Elbow strike (Palkup chigi)
- Slow uppercut (Teok jireugi) - NEW
Kicks
- Front kick (Ap chagi)
- Jumping double front kick (Eedan ap chagi) - NEW
🏆 Congratulations! 🏆
You have completed all 8 Taegeuk patterns!
Mastering Taegeuk 8 marks the completion of your colour belt pattern journey. The next step is the black belt pattern, Koryo, which you will learn as you prepare for your 1st Dan grading.