How many patterns are there in tae kwon do?

Answer 1

'''Brief Answer:'''

The answer to this depends upon what system of Taekwondo you study, and what organization (if any) with which your school is affiliated.

International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF), now splintered into three groups claiming rights to the same name: 24 patterns called "tul"

(see related link below for ITF tul)

Kukkiwon - World Taekwondo Headquarters, Seoul, Korea:

8 geup (color belt), 9 Dan forms called "poomsae."

The series of 8 Taegeuk forms replaced the previous 8 Palgwe as the official color belt poomsae, along with the 9 Black Belt forms, authorized by the Kukkiwon and approved by the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) for Olympic competition.

(see related link below for WTF Poomsae approved by the Kukkiwon)

Other organizations use different forms. The American Taekwondo Association (ATA) and Song Ahm Taekwondo Federation (STF) use the 18 Song Ahm forms created and copyrighted by ATA co-founder and 2nd President of the ATA, the late Grandmaster Haeng Ung Lee (aka: "Eternal GM Lee")

(see related link below for ATA Song Ahm Poomsae)

'''Detailed Answer:'''

"Patterns" (also called "forms") have several different general terms in the Korean Language. They are referred to as "tul," "hyung," or "poomsae"

In the early days of ancient Martial Art in Korea, the system of instruction was not as organized with a refined curriculum as it is today. Forms practice did not exist in Korean Martial Art until the influence of Shotokan Karate during the Japanese occupation of Korea during WWII. In Japanese, the term for form is "Kata" and the forms are an integral part of teaching both technical skill, and practical application.

When Korean Martial Art was being reorganized, and relabeled as Taekwondo in post WWII Korea, several of the Korean Kwan (school) founders had previously earned Black Belts in Japanese Karate. They then utilized the concept of pre-arranged patterns from Karate, and altered the movements to fit the Taekwondo techniques and strategies.

The first set of forms designed for the purpose of teaching the new art of Taekwondo were called the "Chang Hon" (Blue Cottage) forms designed by Korean General Hong Hi Choi, one of Taekwondo's key founders (and the person credited for coining the term "Taekwondo"). Gen. Choi designed his system to have 24 patterns, one for each hour of the day for the rest of your life. Each of these forms are known as "tul" and are currently used by the International Taekwondo Federation (ITF) that was founded by General Choi.

The official Kwans (schools) of Taekwondo in Korea united together beginning in 1955, and eventually created the Korea Taekwondo Association (KTA). From those roots, they built the National Academy and World Headquarters called the Kukkiwon. Today, Kukki Taekwondo is the official curriculum of Korea's National Martial Art known as Taekwondo.

As Taekwondo's unique curriculum developed, it became clear to the Grandmasters in Korea that new forms were needed to emphasize Taekwondo's techniques. The Palgwe (8 trigram) forms were created based on the diagrams of the Chinese I Ching philosophy (four of the 8 symbols are represented on the Korean National Flag around the red and blue circle called the "Taegeuk").

Later, the Taegeuk series, based on the same 8 trigrams, were created and these are the forms that are official recognized in Korea. The Taegeuk Poomsae consist of Taegeuk number 1 through 8. The term "jang" (장) is used to describe one form within a series of related forms. Thus, each of the Taegeuk series is labeled as Taegeuk 1st Jang, 2nd jang, 3rd Jang, etc. the nine Black Belt forms of Kukki Taekwondo are: Koryo, Keumgang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin, Jitae, Cheonkwon, Hansu, and Ilyeo.