Literally Chon-Ji means "heaven and earth" or "heaven-the-earth", which is interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history. It is therefore the initial pattern performed by a beginner during their creation and entrance into the world of Taekwon-Do. This pattern consists of two similar parts of 8 moves each; one represents the Heaven and the other the Earth. The first consists of low blocks - representing the earth - in front stance or walking stance, depending on the school; this stance puts the body higher up, thus representing heaven. In the second half, the inner-forearm blocks - representng the heaven - are performed from the back stance (or L-stance). These blocks are aimed at the side. The two parts are ended by an extra punch and two backwards ones. Both parts can be broken down into four sections each consisting of a block and a punch. All punches are middle-section. These four sections symbolize the four elements of the Heaven and Earth; Fire, Water, Earth and Spirit.Chon-Ji also has another spiritual interpretation as Lake Chon-Ji is said to be the spiritual home of the Korean people, as Korea herself traces her beginnings to Chon-Ji so the student begins with this pattern.
It is never easy to translate Korean words into English, but ‘Chon’ can mean Heaven while ‘Ji’ can mean Earth.
The two words combined together, however can have slightly different meanings, Lake Chon-Ji is the ‘Heavenly’ Lake, located in a crater on Paektu-San (White Headed Mountain also Ever-White Mountain) located on the border between China and North Korea, which was the first residency of the legendary Dan-Gun before he established his capital at Asadal (now Pyongyang) in 2333 B.C.
CHON-JI
Movements - 19
Ready Posture - PARALLEL READY STANCE
The illustrations for this pattern assume that the student is standing on line AB and facing D.
1. Move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a low block to B with the left forearm.
2. Move the right foot to B forming a right walking stance toward B while executing a middle punch to B with the right fist.
3. Move the right foot to A, turning clockwise to form a right walking stance toward A while executing a low block to A with the right forearm.
4. Move the left foot to A forming a left walking stance toward A while executing a middle punch to A with the left fist.
5. Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a low block to D with the left forearm.
6. Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.
7. Move the right foot to C turning clockwise to form a right walking stance toward C while executing a low block to C with the right forearm.
8. Move the left foot to C forming a left walking stance toward C while executing a middle punch to C with the left fist.
9. Move the left foot to A forming a right L-stance toward A while executing a middle block to A with the left inner forearm.
10. Move the right foot to A forming a right walking stance toward A while executing a middle punch to A with the right fist.
11. Move the right foot to B turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward B while executing a middle block to B with the right inner forearm.
12. Move the left foot to B forming a left walking stance toward B while executing a middle punch to B with the left fist.
13. Move the left foot to C forming a right L-stance toward C while executing a middle block to C with the left inner forearm.
14. Move the right foot to C forming a right walking stance toward C while executing a middle punch to C with the right fist.
15. Move the right foot to D turning clockwise to form a left L-stance toward D while executing a middle block to D with the right inner forearm.
16. Move the left foot to D forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the left fist.
17. Move the right foot to D forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.
18. Move the right foot to C forming a left walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the left fist.
19. Move the left foot to C forming a right walking stance toward D while executing a middle punch to D with the right fist.
END: Bring the left foot back to a ready posture.