Dan-Gun Hyung

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Dan-Gun Hyung (단군/檀君) (also Tan-Gun tul or poomsae) is an official pattern of the International Taekwon-Do Federation. It consists of 21 movements and is normally the pattern done by yellow belts, the second hyung that Taekwon-Do members will learn. It is quite simple, and only consists of hand techniques:

The story of Dangun is legend and truth in one. This leaves the hyung open to much interpretation. Refer to the article on Dangun for his legend and story.

Yellow signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundation is being laid.^[1] - Choi Hong Hi

[edit] The Meaning

It is named after the Holy Dangun, the legendary founder of Korea in 2334 BC. Indeed all the punches in this pattern are high, to symbolise the mountain that Dangun was supposed to have climbed when he founded Korea.

[edit] The Pattern

The diagram of the Dan-Gun Hyung.

Each number below signifies the next movement of the hyung. The pattern begins in junbi position (feet shoulder width apart, hands making fists next to each other at the belt position).

From here, the left leg steps to the left 90° into back stance while simultaneously completing a knifehand guarding block.
The right leg then steps forward while punching forward with the right fist in walking stance.
Bring the right leg back to the left and complete a soft-foot touch and continue to move it behind you, turning 180° to the right and into knifehand guarding block in back stance. The right leg should be forward.
The left leg then steps forward while punching forward with the left fist.
Now bring the left leg back to the right and complete a soft-foot touch while turning 90° to the left and completing a low block with the left arm. The left leg should be forward in walking stance.
Step forward with the right leg in walking stance and complete a high-section punch with the right fist.
Step forward with the left leg in walking stance and complete a high-section punch with the left fist.
Step forward with the right leg in walking stance and complete a high-section punch with the right fist. Ki-Hap on this movement.
Step the left leg up to the right and complete a soft-foot touch and turn 270° to the left, completing a twin forearm guarding block in back stance.
Step the right leg forward and complete a high-section punch with the right fist.
Bring the right leg back to the left and complete a soft-foot touch and continue to move it behind you, turning 180° to the right and complete a twin forearm guarding block. The right leg should also be forward in back stance.
Step the left leg forward and complete a high-section punch with the left fist.
Now bring the left leg back to the right and complete a soft-foot touch while turning 90° to the left and completing a low block with the left arm. The left leg should be forward in walking stance.
Follow this with a high block with the left arm. The left leg should still be forward in walking stance.
Step the right leg forward and complete a high block with the right arm in walking stance.
Step the left leg forward and complete a high block with the left arm in walking stance.
Step the right leg forward and complete a high block with the right arm in walking stance. Ki-Hap on this movement.
Step the left leg up to the right and complete a soft-foot touch and turn 270° to the left, completing a knifehand strike in back stance.
The right leg then steps forward while completing a high-section punch with the right fist in walking stance.
Bring the right leg back to the left and complete a soft-foot touch and continue to move it behind you, turning 180° to the right and complete a knifehand strike in back stance. The right leg should be forward.
The left leg then steps forward while completing a high-section punch with the left fist in walking stance.