Taegeuk Pal-Jang
태극 팔장
Taegeuk 8
“Teyh-Goog Pahl-Jahng”
1st Geup Poomsae
Trigram: ☷ Earth
Taegeuk 8-Jang reperesents 곤 Gon (地) in Palgwae. Gon symbolizes the earth — the ground where all creatures take root and live — with the spirit of 음 Eum (陰 / Yin). Gon represents the abdomen that protects the internal organs in the human body. While 건 Geon in Taegeuk 1-Jang signifies the beginning of all things, 곤 Gon symbolizes where they grow and bear fruit. Similarly, all the human power comes from the abdomen. At this stage, you will strengthen the abdomen and train to attack using the whole body with both feet in the air. Through the organic connection of the upper and lower body, applying all 8 stages of Palgwae to Poomsae practice is completed.
“두 발 당성 앞 차기 Du Bal Dangseong Ap Chagi (Double Front Kick) — introduced for the first time in Taegeuk 8-Jang — is a 나래 차기 Narae Chagi (Switch Kick) technique involving kicking twice to the front with both feet in the air. As the last Poomsae for Yugeupja, this technique has a high difficulty level and is the first to resist gravity. Additionally, you will train 외산 막기 Oesan Makgi (Single Mountain Block) and 당겨 턱 지르기 Danggyeo Teok Jireugi (Pulling Jaw Punch), performing big outward moves with both arms, along with counter attack techniques such as 두번 물러 딛기 Du Beon Mulleo Ditig (Double Back Step) after 앞 차기 Ap Chagi (Front Kick) and counter attack kick using 앞 발 앞 차기 Ap Bal Ap Chagi (Front Foot Front Kick) after 손날 거들어 막기 Sonnal Geodeureo Makgi (Assisted Knife Hand Block) in 범 서기 Beom Seogi (Tiger Stance). This stage also involves learning other difficult techniques, such as connecting 앞 차기 Ap Chagi (Front Kick) and 뛰어 앞 차기 Ttwieo Ap Chagi (Jumping Front Kick) and 팔굽 돌려 치기 Palgup Dollyeo Chigi (Elbow Turning Strike), 등 주먹 앞 치기 Deung Jumeok Ap Chigi (Back Fist Forward Strike) and 반대 지르기 Bandae Jireugi (Forward Punch), attacking the first and second target in rapid succession, coordinating moves around the central axis and hips.”
