Ilyo
일여 (Ilyeo)
About This Pattern
Ilyo represents the philosophy of Saint Wonhyo, a great Buddhist priest of the Silla Dynasty. Ilyo means "oneness" - the unity of mind (spirit) and body (material).
This is the highest and final pattern in the Kukkiwon poomsae curriculum. It represents the harmonisation of spirit and body, which is the ultimate essence of martial arts. After years of training in various techniques and spiritual cultivation, the practitioner reaches the completion of their Taekwondo journey.
The pattern embodies the Buddhist concept that all opposites (body/mind, action/stillness, strength/softness) are ultimately one. This is the culmination of Taekwondo philosophy.
Key techniques: Diamond blocks, double knife-hand blocks, crane stance jumps, vertical fingertip thrusts, cross blocks, combination kicks
Step-by-Step Movements
Pattern performed along the four arms of a cross. Start facing north.
Top of the Cross (North)
Step LEFT foot forward
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Double knife-hand block (Sonnal makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 손날막기
Step RIGHT foot forward
Right front stance (Ap kubi) + Right reverse punch (Momtong baro jireugi)
오른 앞굽이 + 몸통 바로지르기
Turn 90° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Diamond block (Keumgang makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 금강막기
Turn 90° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Double knife-hand block (Sonnal makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 손날막기
No step
Right straight punch (Momtong jireugi)
몸통지르기
Bottom of the Cross (South)
JUMP to the RIGHT
Right crane back stance (Hakdari dwit kubi) + Right vertical fingertip thrust (Pyonsonkkeut seweo chireugi) — KIHAP!
오른 학다리 뒷굽이 + 편손끝 세워찌르기 — 기합!
Pivot on right foot
Left side kick (Yop chagi) + Single mountain block (Oe santul makgi)
옆차기 + 외산틀막기
Set LEFT foot down
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + High cross block (Eotgeoreo olgul makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 엇걸어 얼굴막기
Twist hands (grabbing), step RIGHT foot forward
Right front stance (Ap kubi) + Right reverse punch (Momtong baro jireugi)
오른 앞굽이 + 몸통 바로지르기
Turn 90° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Diamond block (Keumgang makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 금강막기
Turn 90° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Double knife-hand block (Sonnal makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 손날막기
No step
Right straight punch (Momtong jireugi)
몸통지르기
JUMP to the RIGHT
Right crane back stance (Hakdari dwit kubi) + Right vertical fingertip thrust (Pyonsonkkeut seweo chireugi) — KIHAP!
오른 학다리 뒷굽이 + 편손끝 세워찌르기 — 기합!
Left Side of the Cross (West)
Pivot on right foot
Left side kick (Yop chagi) + Single mountain block (Oe santul makgi)
옆차기 + 외산틀막기
Set LEFT foot down
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + High cross block (Eotgeoreo olgul makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 엇걸어 얼굴막기
Twist hands (grabbing), step RIGHT foot forward
Right front stance (Ap kubi) + Right reverse punch (Momtong baro jireugi)
오른 앞굽이 + 몸통 바로지르기
Turn 90° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Diamond block (Keumgang makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 금강막기
Turn 180° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Closed stance (Moa seogi) + Fists to waist (Juchum junbi)
모아서기 + 주춤준비
RIGHT front kick → Land, LEFT jump side kick → Land
Combination: Right front kick (Ap chagi) → Left jump side kick (Twio yop chagi) → Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + High cross block (Eotgeoreo olgul makgi)
앞차기 → 뛰어 옆차기 → 오른 뒷굽이 + 엇걸어 얼굴막기
Right Side of the Cross (East)
Twist hands (grabbing), step RIGHT foot forward
Right front stance (Ap kubi) + Right reverse punch (Momtong baro jireugi)
오른 앞굽이 + 몸통 바로지르기
Turn 90° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Right back stance (Dwit kubi) + Diamond block (Keumgang makgi)
오른 뒷굽이 + 금강막기
Turn 180° LEFT (counterclockwise)
Closed stance (Moa seogi) + Fists to waist (Juchum junbi)
모아서기 + 주춤준비
LEFT front kick → Land, RIGHT jump side kick → Land
Combination: Left front kick (Ap chagi) → Right jump side kick (Twio yop chagi) → Left back stance (Dwit kubi) + High cross block (Eotgeoreo olgul makgi)
앞차기 → 뛰어 옆차기 → 왼 뒷굽이 + 엇걸어 얼굴막기
After movement 23, return to ready stance (Junbi) with covered fist position facing the original direction.
Techniques in This Pattern
Stances
- Front stance (Ap kubi)
- Back stance (Dwit kubi)
- Crane back stance (Hakdari dwit kubi)
- Closed stance (Moa seogi)
Blocks
- Double knife-hand block (Sonnal makgi)
- Diamond block (Keumgang makgi)
- High cross block (Eotgeoreo olgul makgi)
- Single mountain block (Oe santul makgi)
Hand Techniques
- Reverse punch (Momtong baro jireugi)
- Straight punch (Momtong jireugi)
- Vertical fingertip thrust (Pyonsonkkeut seweo chireugi)
Kicks
- Side kick (Yop chagi)
- Front kick (Ap chagi)
- Jump side kick (Twio yop chagi)
The Journey Continues
Ilyo represents the highest achievement in Kukkiwon poomsae. Reaching this level signifies decades of dedicated training, teaching, and contribution to Taekwondo. The philosophy of oneness reminds us that the martial arts journey is never truly complete - there is always more to learn, refine, and share with others.