Dan-Gun

As practiced at Kwak's Taekwondo/Karate


Dan Gun was the father of Korea, and founded the kingdom of Korea in 2333 B.C. The legend is as follows:

Hwan Ung came down from heaven to rule the universe. At that time a tiger and a bear, which lived in a cave, begged Hwan Ung to change them into humans. The tiger couldn't comply with the commandments of Hwan Ung, so he lost his chance to become human. However, the bear could, became a woman, and prayed under an altar to become pregnant. Hwan Ung was moved by her plea, changed himself into a man, and married her. They had a son, Dan Gun, the father of Korea.

The birth of Dan Gun, and the story of the founding of Korea, belongs to the myths, but after the Silla unification, especially in the era of the Yi Dynasty, the myth became respected by all. The Koryo dynasty viewed Dan Gun as the sole founder of the Korean kingdom and used this legend to show Korean superiority to the Mongolian tribes. There was considerable antagonism toward the Mongolian tribes because in the past they had invaded and conquered Korea several times. This myth of Dan Gun played a very important role in protecting the Korean kingdom from invasion by maintaining the Korean culture for several thousand years, through the succession of the Silla, Koryo, and Yi Dynasties.

Presently. October 3rd is celebrated as a national holiday, commemorating the founding father, Dan Gun.


Movements: 21

Ready Posture: OPEN READY STANCE



Kwak's Taekwondo/Karate Dan Gun Pattern Diagram

The illustrations for this pattern assume the student is standing on line AB and facing D (Front of DoJang).
  1. Move the left foot to A forming a Right Back stance toward A, while executing a middle knife-hand guarding block to A.
  2. Move the right foot to A forming a Right Front stance toward A while executing a Right High punch to A.
  3. Move the right foot to B, turning clockwise to form a Left Back stance toward B, while executing a middle knife-hand guarding block to B.
  4. Move the left foot to B forming a Left Front stance toward B while executing a Left High punch to B.
  5. Move the left foot to D forming a Left Front stance toward D while executing a low Left Outer forearm block to D.
  6. Move the right foot to D forming a Right Front stance toward D while executing a Right High punch to D.
  7. Move the left foot to D forming a Left Front stance toward D while executing a Right High punch to D.
  8. Move the right foot to D forming a Right Front stance toward D while executing a Right High punch to D. (ki hap)
  9. Move the left foot to F, turning counter clockwise to form a Right Back stance toward F while executing a twin forearm block to F.
  10. Move the right foot to F forming a Right Front stance toward F while executing a Right High punch to F.
  11. Move the right foot to E turning clockwise to form a Left Back stance toward E while executing a twin forearm block to E.
  12. Move the left foot to E forming a Left Front stance toward E while executing a Left High punch to E.
  13. Move the left foot to C forming a Left Front stance toward C while executing a low Left Outer forearm block to C.
  14. Execute a high rising block with the Left Outer forearm, while maintaining the Left Front stance toward C. Perform 13 and 14 consecutively.
  15. Move the right foot to C forming a Right Front stance toward C, while executing a high rising Right Outer forearm block to C.
  16. Move the left foot to C forming a Left Front stance toward C, while executing a high rising Left Outer forearm block to C.
  17. Move the right foot to C forming a Right Front stance toward C, while executing a high rising Right Outer forearm block to C.
  18. Move the left foot to A turning counter clockwise to form a Right Back stance toward A, while executing a Left Mid knife-hand strike to A.
  19. Move the right foot to A forming a Right Front stance toward A, while executing a Right High punch to A.
  20. Move the right foot to B turning clockwise to form a Left Back stance toward B, while executing a Right Mid knife-hand strike to B.
  21. Move the left foot to B forming a Left Front stance toward B, while executing a Left High punch to B (ki hap).

END: Bring the right foot back to a ready posture.