Pattern Chon-Ji – The First Taekwondo Pattern

by Mr H Taekwondo

The Pattern Everyone Thinks They’ve Mastered – Until They Watch Themselves on Video

Let’s be honest.

Every Taekwondo student thinks they’ve nailed Chon-Ji after a week of practice. It’s only 19 moves – how hard can it be? Then someone records them on their phone and suddenly they’re moving like a fridge-freezer on roller skates.

Chon-Ji isn’t just “the beginner pattern.”

It’s the DNA of Taekwondo.

If you mess up Chon-Ji — you mess up everything that comes after it.

So today, we’re not just going to perform Chon-Ji.

We’re going to understand it.
We’re going to respect it.
And we’re going to make sure you never drift through it on autopilot again.

What Does “Chon-Ji” Actually Mean?

천 “Chon” = The Sky or Heaven.
지 “Ji” = Earth.

Together (천지), they represent the birth of creation – the moment everything begins.

In Taekwondo terms:
👉 This is where your journey officially starts.

You are the universe in uniform form. White belt. Blank slate. No habits. No ego. Just potential.

So when you bow before performing Chon-Ji – don’t just bow out of habit.

Bow like you’re acknowledging the moment you come into being – as a martial artist.

Pattern Chon-Ji Overview

Pattern Chon-Ji Diagram
  • Number of Movements: 19
  • Performed in an “+” shape diagram
  • Stances Used:
    – Parallel Ready Stance (Narani Junbe Sogi),
    – Walking Stance (Gunnun Sogi),
    – L-Stance (Niunja Sogi).
  • Techniques Introduced:
    – Low Block (Najunde Makgi)
    – Middle Punch (Kaunde Jirugi)
    – Inner Forearm Middle Block (An Palmok Kaunde Makgi)

Simple? Yes.
Lazy? No.

The beauty of Chon-Ji is that it lets your body learn before your brain catches up. Repetition builds instinct. Instinct builds defence. Defence builds confidence.

Step-by-Step Breakdown of Chon-Ji

I’m not going to list every single move like IKEA furniture instructions. Instead – here’s how to think your way through it:

  • Ready Stance (Joon-Bi) – Feet shoulder-width, fists tight, brain awake. If you’re already daydreaming, start again.
  • Low Block, Left – Defend the groin. It’s your most valuable asset.
  • Step Forward, Middle Punch – Deliver with intention, not like you’re pressing a doorbell.
  • Repeat by pivoting 180 Right – Balance and symmetry are key.
  • Turn, Block, Punch – This is where students lose spatial awareness and drift diagonally. Stay on your line.
  • And so on… (The Full steps are available On the CHON-JI syllabus page).
  • Finally “Chon-Ji” or Khap – Don’t scream like a kettle. Shout like someone just broke into your house.

Common Chon-Ji Mistakes (Don’t Lie – You’ve Done At Least One)

❌ Robot Mode – Moving like every muscle is independently confused. Flow, don’t stutter.
❌ Stance Too Short or Too Wide – You’re not surfing or tightrope walking. One-and-a-half shoulder widths. End of story.
❌ Punching With Floppy Wrists – This isn’t badminton. Align the knuckles.
❌ Looking at the Floor – The floor isn’t attacking you. Eyes forward.

Fix these early – or they’ll follow you through every future pattern like bad habits at a buffet.

Chon-Ji Is Not Just a Pattern – It’s a Philosophy

Once you understand Chon-Ji, you see it everywhere.

  • Balance (Heaven + Earth) → Balance your training with rest.
  • Foundation → Build your basics before spinning in circles for Instagram likes.
  • Repetition → Chon-Ji doesn’t get boring – you get sloppy.

If black belts treat Chon-Ji with respect – so should you.

Frequently Asked Questions About Chon-Ji

Q: How long does it take to learn Chon-Ji?
A: You can memorise it in a week. You can understand it in a month. But you will refine it for the rest of your Taekwondo journey.

Q: Do ITF and WTF/TKD Olympic styles both practice Chon-Ji?
A: No. Chon-Ji is specific to ITF Taekwondo (Chang-Hon patterns). WT uses different “Taegeuk” forms.

Q: What grade is required to perform Chon-Ji?
A: It’s traditionally this first pattern is learned at 9th Kup (White Belt, Yellow Stripe) and required for grading to 8th Kup (Yellow Belt).

Final Thought – Don’t Just Perform Chon-Ji. Become Chon-Ji.

Next time you perform it, don’t rush through it like it’s something to get out of the way.

Treat it like the moment you first write your name.
Not perfect – but important.

Every black belt in history has performed Chon-Ji. Some still do it daily. Why?

Because masters keep polishing what beginners ignore.