| DAN-GUN Movements - 21 Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE PATTERN MEANING DAN-GUN is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year of 2,333 B.C. |
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| Parallel ready stance |
| Move the left foot to B, forming a right L-stance toward B, at the same time executing a middle guarding block to B with a knifehand |
| Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a high punch to B with the right fist |
| Move the right foot to A, turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward A, at the same time executing a middle guarding block to A with a knifehand |
| Move the left foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a high punch to A with the left fist |
| Move the left foot to D, forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a low block to D with the left forearm |
| Move the right foot to D, forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a high punch to D with the right fist |
| Move the left foot to D, forming a left walking stance toward D, at the same time executing a high punch to D with the left fist |
| Move the right foot to D, forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a high punch to D with the right fist |
| Move the left foot to E, turning counter clockwise to form a right L-stance toward E while executing a twin forearm block to E |
| Move the right foot to E, forming a right walking stance toward E while executing a high punch to E with the right fist |
| Move the right foot to F, turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward F while executing a twin forearm block to F |
| Move the left foot to F, forming a left walking stance toward F, at the same time executing a high punch to F with the left fist |
| Move the left foot to C, forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a low block to C with the left forearm |
| Execute a rising block with the left forearm, maintaining the left walking stance toward C. Perform 13 and 14 in a continuous motion |
| Move the right foot to C, forming a right walking stance toward C, at the same time executing a rising block with the right forearm |
| Move the left foot to C, forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a rising block with the left forearm |
| Move the right foot to C, forming a right walking stance toward C, at the same time executing a rising block with the right forearm |
| Move the left foot to B, turning counter clockwise to form a right L-stance toward B while executing a middle outward strike to B with the left knife-hand |
| Move the right foot to B, forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a high punch to B with the right fist |
| Move the right foot to A, turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward A while executing a middle outward strike to A with the right knifehand |
| Move the left foot to A, forming a left walking stance toward A, at the same time executing a high punch to A with the left fist |
| Bring the left foot back to ready posture |
| Dan-Gun |
Dangun Wanggeom was the legendary founder of Gojoseon, the first kingdom of
Korea, in present-day Liaoning, Manchuria, and the Korean Peninsula. He is said
to be the grandson of the god of heaven, and to have founded the kingdom in 2333
BC. Although the term Dangun commonly refers to the founder, some believe it
was a title used by all rulers of Gojoseon, and that Wanggeom was the proper
name of the founder.
Dangun's ancestry begins with his grandfather Hwanin (환인; 桓因), the "Lord of
Heaven" (a name which also appears in Indian Buddhist texts). Hwanin had a son
Hwanung who yearned to live on the earth among the valleys and the mountains.
Hwanin permitted Hwanung and 3000 followers to descend onto Baekdu
Mountain, then called Taebaek Mountain (태백산; 太伯山), where Hwanung
founded Sinsi (신시; 神市, "City of God"). Along with his ministers of clouds, rain,
and wind, he instituted laws and moral codes and taught humans various arts,
medicine, and agriculture.
A tiger and a bear prayed to Hwanung that they may become human. Upon
hearing their prayers, Hwanung gave them 20 cloves of garlic and a bundle of
mugwort, ordering them to eat only this sacred food and remain out of the sunlight
for 100 days. The tiger gave up after about twenty days and left the cave. However,
the bear remained and was transformed into a woman.
The bear-woman (Ungnyeo; 웅녀; 熊女) was grateful and made offerings to
Hwanung. However, she lacked a husband, and soon became sad and prayed
beneath a Sindansu (신단수; 神檀樹, "Divine Betula") tree to be blessed with a
child. Hwanung, moved by her prayers, took her for his wife and soon she gave
birth to a son, who was named Dangun Wanggeom.
Dangun ascended to the throne, built the walled city of Pyongyang (present capital
of North Korea), and called the kingdom Joseon. He then moved his capital to
Asadal on Mount Baegak (or Mount Gunghol). Fifteen hundred years later, in the
year Kimyo, King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty enfeoffed Jizi to Joseon, and Dangun
moved his capital to Jangdangyeong. Finally, he returned to Asadal and became a
mountain god at the age of 1,908.
Dating
Dangun's rule is usually calculated to begin in 2333 BC, based on the description
of the Dongguk Tonggam (1485) as the 50th year of the reign of the legendary
Chinese Emperor Yao. Other sources vary somewhat, but also put it during Yao's
reign (traditional dates: 2357 BC-2256 BC). Samguk Yusa states Dangun ascended
to the throne in the 50th year of Yao's reign, while Sejong Sillok says the first year
and Dongguk Tonggam says the 25th year.
Until 1961, the official South Korean era (for numbering years) was called the
Dangi (단기; 檀紀), which began in 2333 BC. Daejong-gyo considered October 3rd
in the Korean calendar as Gaecheonjeol (개천절; 開天節, "Festival of the Opening
of Heaven"). This day is now a national holiday in the Gregorian calendar, called
National Foundation Day.
Interpretation
The earliest recorded version of the Dangun legend appears in the 13th century
Samguk Yusa, which cites China's Book of Wei and Korea's lost history text Gogi
(古記). This is the best known and most studied version, but similar versions are
recorded in the Jewang Un-gi by the late Goryeo scholar Yi Seunghyu 李承休
(1224-1300), as well as the Eungje Siju and Sejong Sillok of the early Joseon
dynasty.
Scholars today regard the legend as reflecting the sun-worship and totem ism
common in the origin myths of Northeast Asia. The bear is often found in origin
myths of Manchuria and Russian Far East. The legend therefore may hint at the
relationships among various tribes that worshipped the sun, bear, and tiger.
The story further illustrates the importance of knowledge of weather to the early
agricultural peoples of Korea.
Archaeological site
In the 1990s, North Korea claimed it had found and excavated parts of the
Mausoleum of Dangun. Scholars outside of North Korea are generally skeptical of
the dating methods and the extent of renovations, since the government has not
permitted independent access and testing.
Dangun as religion
During the Mongol invasions of Korea, the Dangun legend is thought to have
played an important role in national unity and patriotic mobilization against the
invaders. Gosindo (고신도; 古神道), a version of Korean shamanism that
considered Dangun a god, had a small following, but had largely died out by the
15th century.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a resurgence in Korean nationalism
after repeated Japanese invasions and the beginning of Japanese rule (1910-
1945), the movement was revived in Daejonggyo (대종교; 大宗敎). It was promoted
by Na Cheol (1864-1916), but could not survive the repression under the
occupation (Taejonggyo (1999)/Tangun), since it conflicted with the Japanese
cultural assimilation policy. After the surrender of Japan and Korean liberation,
Daejonggyo was revived, although it remains a minor religion.
Dangun in Taekwon-Do
Dangun is the second pattern or tul in the ITF form of the Korean martial art
taekwon-do. Students learn that the tul represents "The holy legendary founder of
Korea in the year 2333 BC". Unusually for a tul, all the punches in Dangun are high
section (at eye level), symbolising Dangun scaling a mountain.
Korea, in present-day Liaoning, Manchuria, and the Korean Peninsula. He is said
to be the grandson of the god of heaven, and to have founded the kingdom in 2333
BC. Although the term Dangun commonly refers to the founder, some believe it
was a title used by all rulers of Gojoseon, and that Wanggeom was the proper
name of the founder.
Dangun's ancestry begins with his grandfather Hwanin (환인; 桓因), the "Lord of
Heaven" (a name which also appears in Indian Buddhist texts). Hwanin had a son
Hwanung who yearned to live on the earth among the valleys and the mountains.
Hwanin permitted Hwanung and 3000 followers to descend onto Baekdu
Mountain, then called Taebaek Mountain (태백산; 太伯山), where Hwanung
founded Sinsi (신시; 神市, "City of God"). Along with his ministers of clouds, rain,
and wind, he instituted laws and moral codes and taught humans various arts,
medicine, and agriculture.
A tiger and a bear prayed to Hwanung that they may become human. Upon
hearing their prayers, Hwanung gave them 20 cloves of garlic and a bundle of
mugwort, ordering them to eat only this sacred food and remain out of the sunlight
for 100 days. The tiger gave up after about twenty days and left the cave. However,
the bear remained and was transformed into a woman.
The bear-woman (Ungnyeo; 웅녀; 熊女) was grateful and made offerings to
Hwanung. However, she lacked a husband, and soon became sad and prayed
beneath a Sindansu (신단수; 神檀樹, "Divine Betula") tree to be blessed with a
child. Hwanung, moved by her prayers, took her for his wife and soon she gave
birth to a son, who was named Dangun Wanggeom.
Dangun ascended to the throne, built the walled city of Pyongyang (present capital
of North Korea), and called the kingdom Joseon. He then moved his capital to
Asadal on Mount Baegak (or Mount Gunghol). Fifteen hundred years later, in the
year Kimyo, King Wu of the Zhou Dynasty enfeoffed Jizi to Joseon, and Dangun
moved his capital to Jangdangyeong. Finally, he returned to Asadal and became a
mountain god at the age of 1,908.
Dating
Dangun's rule is usually calculated to begin in 2333 BC, based on the description
of the Dongguk Tonggam (1485) as the 50th year of the reign of the legendary
Chinese Emperor Yao. Other sources vary somewhat, but also put it during Yao's
reign (traditional dates: 2357 BC-2256 BC). Samguk Yusa states Dangun ascended
to the throne in the 50th year of Yao's reign, while Sejong Sillok says the first year
and Dongguk Tonggam says the 25th year.
Until 1961, the official South Korean era (for numbering years) was called the
Dangi (단기; 檀紀), which began in 2333 BC. Daejong-gyo considered October 3rd
in the Korean calendar as Gaecheonjeol (개천절; 開天節, "Festival of the Opening
of Heaven"). This day is now a national holiday in the Gregorian calendar, called
National Foundation Day.
Interpretation
The earliest recorded version of the Dangun legend appears in the 13th century
Samguk Yusa, which cites China's Book of Wei and Korea's lost history text Gogi
(古記). This is the best known and most studied version, but similar versions are
recorded in the Jewang Un-gi by the late Goryeo scholar Yi Seunghyu 李承休
(1224-1300), as well as the Eungje Siju and Sejong Sillok of the early Joseon
dynasty.
Scholars today regard the legend as reflecting the sun-worship and totem ism
common in the origin myths of Northeast Asia. The bear is often found in origin
myths of Manchuria and Russian Far East. The legend therefore may hint at the
relationships among various tribes that worshipped the sun, bear, and tiger.
The story further illustrates the importance of knowledge of weather to the early
agricultural peoples of Korea.
Archaeological site
In the 1990s, North Korea claimed it had found and excavated parts of the
Mausoleum of Dangun. Scholars outside of North Korea are generally skeptical of
the dating methods and the extent of renovations, since the government has not
permitted independent access and testing.
Dangun as religion
During the Mongol invasions of Korea, the Dangun legend is thought to have
played an important role in national unity and patriotic mobilization against the
invaders. Gosindo (고신도; 古神道), a version of Korean shamanism that
considered Dangun a god, had a small following, but had largely died out by the
15th century.
In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with a resurgence in Korean nationalism
after repeated Japanese invasions and the beginning of Japanese rule (1910-
1945), the movement was revived in Daejonggyo (대종교; 大宗敎). It was promoted
by Na Cheol (1864-1916), but could not survive the repression under the
occupation (Taejonggyo (1999)/Tangun), since it conflicted with the Japanese
cultural assimilation policy. After the surrender of Japan and Korean liberation,
Daejonggyo was revived, although it remains a minor religion.
Dangun in Taekwon-Do
Dangun is the second pattern or tul in the ITF form of the Korean martial art
taekwon-do. Students learn that the tul represents "The holy legendary founder of
Korea in the year 2333 BC". Unusually for a tul, all the punches in Dangun are high
section (at eye level), symbolising Dangun scaling a mountain.