Forms
Black Belt Poomsae: Koryo and the 9 Yudanja Forms
Nine forms carry a Kukkiwon black belt from 1st to 9th dan. This guide lists each form, what it stands for, how long you wait between ranks and how to prepare.
Reviewed by Daniel Reyes, 4th dan Kukkiwon, 18 years teaching | Last checked: October 26, 2026Kukkiwon black belt poomsae are called the Yudanja series, nine forms taught one per dan rank: Koryo (1st dan), Keumgang (2nd), Taebaek (3rd), Pyongwon (4th), Sipjin (5th), Jitae (6th), Cheonkwon (7th), Hansu (8th) and Ilyeo (9th). The minimum wait between dan ranks runs from 1 year (1st to 2nd dan) to 4 years (4th to 5th dan), so the earliest 5th dan comes 10 years after the 1st dan.
| Forms in the series | 9 (Yudanja) |
|---|---|
| First black belt form | Koryo (1st dan) |
| Last form | Ilyeo (9th dan) |
| Form before the series | Taegeuk 8 (Pal Jang), 1st gup |
| Minimum wait 1st to 2nd dan | 1 year |
| Minimum wait 4th to 5th dan | 4 years |
| Earliest 5th dan after 1st dan | 10 years at minimum waits |
| Original Koryo | Developed 1965 to 1967, replaced by the current Koryo in 1972 |
| WT recognized poomsae score | 10.0 points (4.0 accuracy, 6.0 presentation) |
What the Yudanja forms are
Yudanja means black belt holder. After eight Taegeuk forms at color belt level (see Taegeuk poomsae), a Kukkiwon student moves to the Yudanja series. There is one form per dan rank from 1st to 9th dan. Each has a named theme from Korean history, nature or Buddhist thought, and the movements get longer and more demanding as the rank rises.
This list follows Kukkiwon taekwondo, which is what most World Taekwondo (WT) schools teach. ITF schools use a different set called ITF patterns, so check which style your school follows before you practice a form from this page.
The nine Yudanja forms
| Dan | Form | Meaning | Theme |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Koryo | Named for the Goryeo dynasty | The spirit of a people who defeated the Mongols; wisdom |
| 2nd | Keumgang | Diamond | Hardness, beauty and reflection |
| 3rd | Taebaek | Linked to Baekdoo mountain and the legend of Dangun | Founding of a nation; lightness |
| 4th | Pyongwon | A vast, flat plain | Largeness and majesty; peace |
| 5th | Sipjin | Ten longevity symbols | Growth and the decimal system: sun, moon, mountain, water, stone, pine, herb of youth, turtle, deer, crane |
| 6th | Jitae | Earth | Origin and end of life; yin and yang; self-reliance |
| 7th | Cheonkwon | Sky | A mysterious, infinite ruler of the universe |
| 8th | Hansu | Water | Flowing, adapting to its surroundings |
| 9th | Ilyeo | Oneness | A Buddhist state where body and mind and self and other are unified |
Spellings differ between schools. You may see Cheonkwon written as Chonkwon, and Pyongwon as Pyung Won. They are the same forms.
Taegeuk versus Yudanja forms
| Taegeuk (color belt) | Yudanja (black belt) | |
|---|---|---|
| Number of forms | 8 | 9 |
| Rank range | 8th gup to 1st gup | 1st dan to 9th dan |
| Naming | Eight trigrams of the Korean flag | History, nature and philosophy |
| First form | Taegeuk 1, Il Jang | Koryo |
| Last form | Taegeuk 8, Pal Jang | Ilyeo |
| Adopted as standard | Early 1970s, replacing Palgwae | Current Koryo adopted 1972 |
Koryo, the first black belt form
Koryo follows Taegeuk 8 and is the form for a Kukkiwon 1st dan. Its theme is the Goryeo dynasty, which is also where the word Korea comes from. An earlier version of Koryo was developed between 1965 and 1967. The current version replaced it in 1972, the year Kukkiwon opened.
Most schools expect a first dan candidate to perform all eight Taegeuk forms and Koryo cleanly, then add sparring, breaking and sometimes a written part. Ask your instructor for the exact list, because each school sets its own test. The full path is in the belt test guide.
Minimum wait between dan ranks
| From | To | Minimum wait | Form to know | Earliest total time after 1st dan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1st dan | 2nd dan | 1 year | Keumgang | 1 year |
| 2nd dan | 3rd dan | 2 years | Taebaek | 3 years |
| 3rd dan | 4th dan | 3 years | Pyongwon | 6 years |
| 4th dan | 5th dan | 4 years | Sipjin | 10 years |
These are minimums. Real timelines run longer because of travel, injury and test dates. The Dan waiting-time calculator adds the waits to your first dan date. For the certificate itself, read Kukkiwon certification, and for what each rank means see black belt ranks. Young black belts hold a poom belt until the dan age is met.
How to prepare for a black belt form
- Break the form into sections of 4 to 6 movements and learn each direction change.
- Train the stances alone first. Black belt forms ask for lower and longer stances than the color belt forms.
- Keep your breathing steady and your tempo the same on every run. Examiners notice pauses in the same spot.
- Practice the full form at least 3 times a week for 6 to 8 weeks before a test.
- Film a full run from the front and the side, then compare it with your instructor’s demonstration.
- Do two slow runs, then two at test speed, and finish with one run that you treat as the test.
These numbers are a coaching suggestion, not a rule. A student with strong Taegeuk habits needs less time than one who is still correcting stances.
How WT scores a recognized poomsae
If you compete, WT judges a recognized poomsae out of 10.0 points. Rules in effect from September 30, 2024 split the score like this.
| Part | Points | What judges look at |
|---|---|---|
| Technical accuracy | 4.0 | Basic movements, individual movements and balance |
| Speed and power | 2.0 | Quick, strong techniques |
| Rhythm and tempo | 2.0 | Control of power, speed and rhythm |
| Expression of energy | 2.0 | Focus and presence |
Accuracy deductions are 0.1 for each small mistake, 0.3 for each big mistake and 0.6 for restarting the poomsae. Presentation points are awarded on the overall performance. Event notices list which forms each age and division must perform, so check the event rules before you register.
Freestyle poomsae
WT also runs a freestyle poomsae event. It is scored out of 10.0, with 6.0 for technical skills (six items at 1.0 each, such as jumping side kicks, multiple kicks in one jump and acrobatic kicking) and 4.0 for presentation (creativity, harmony, expression of energy, and music and choreography). Freestyle sets use their own choreography, not the Yudanja forms.
Competition forms called Bee-gak
Since 2019, Kukkiwon materials also list three newer forms called Bee-gak Il Jang, Ee Jang and Sam Jang. They were introduced for competition and are not part of the standard rank ladder, so most school tests still use the Taegeuk and Yudanja forms above.
Frequently asked questions
What is the first black belt poomsae?
Koryo, performed for the 1st dan test.
What are the Kukkiwon black belt forms in order?
Koryo, Keumgang, Taebaek, Pyongwon, Sipjin, Jitae, Cheonkwon, Hansu and Ilyeo.
What does Keumgang mean?
Diamond, a symbol of hardness.
How long between 1st and 2nd dan?
At least 1 year under Kukkiwon rules.
How long between 4th and 5th dan?
At least 4 years.
What is the earliest 5th dan after earning a 1st dan?
10 years if you test at every minimum wait (1 + 2 + 3 + 4).
Which dan learns Ilyeo?
The 9th dan.
Do ITF schools use these forms?
No. ITF schools use the Chang-Hon patterns, such as Kwang-Gae for the 1st dan.
Do I need all the Taegeuk forms for a 1st dan test?
Most schools expect all eight Taegeuk forms plus Koryo, and many add breaking and sparring. Ask your instructor for the exact list.
How is a recognized poomsae scored in competition?
Out of 10.0 points: 4.0 for accuracy and 6.0 for presentation, with 0.1, 0.3 and 0.6 deductions for small mistakes, big mistakes and restarts.