Drysdale's School Of Taekwon-Do

Study Guide

Required Knowledge for 1^st Dan

·         The meaning of the color Black belt:

                Black - opposite of white, therefore, signifying the maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon Do.  It also indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear.

·         The meaning of the pattern Choong-Moo:

Choong-Moo was the name given to the great Admiral Yi Sun-sin of the Yi Dynasty.  He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine.  The reason for this pattern ending in a left hand attack is to symbolize his regrettable death.  Checked by the forced reservation of his loyalty to the King, Yi Sun-Sin was given no chance in his lifetime to show his unrestrained potentiality.

Choong-Moo has 30 movements and its diagram is a capital "I".

·         The eight (8) parts of “Training Secrets of Taekwon-Do”:

1.  To study the theory of power thoroughly.

2.  To understand the purpose and meaning of each movement clearly.

3.  To bring the movement of eyes, hands, feet and breath into a single coordinated action.

4.  To choose the appropriate attacking tool for each vital spot.

5.  To become familiar with the correct angle and distance for attack and defense.

6.  Keep both the arms and legs bent slightly while the movement is in motion.

7.  All movements must begin with a backward motion with very few exceptions.

8.  To create a sign wave during the movement by utilizing the knee spring properly.

·         The reason for 24 patterns:

The life of a human being, perhaps 100 years, can be considered a day when compared with eternity.  Therefore, we mortals are no more than simple travelers who pass by the eternal years of an eon in a day.

 It is evident that no one can live no more than a limited amount of time.  Nevertheless, most people foolishly enslave themselves to materialism as if they could live for thousands of years.  And some people strive to bequeath a good spiritual legacy for coming generations.  This way, they gain immortality.  Obviously, the spirit is perpetual while material is not.

Therefore, what we can do to leave behind something for the welfare of mankind is, perhaps, the most important thing in our lives.

Here I leave Taekwon-Do for mankind as a trace of a man of the late 20^th century. The 24 patterns represent 24 hours, one day, or all my life.