☵ 감 (Gam) - Water Stance
Element: Water / Abyss (水) Nature: Yang surrounded by Yin - dangerous depths Combat Style: Flow and adaptation, counter techniques, redirection Philosophy: "The abysmal - water flows around obstacles and fills voids"
Techniques focus on counters, deflections, and adaptive responses.
☶ 간 (Gan) - Mountain Stance
Element: Mountain / Stillness (山) Nature: Yang above Yin - firm and unyielding Combat Style: Defensive mastery, immovable stance, endurance Philosophy: "The keeping still - mountains are firm and unmoving"
Techniques emphasize blocks, parries, and defensive positioning.
☰ 건 (Geon) - Heaven Stance
Element: Heaven / Sky (天) Nature: Yang, creative, strong Combat Style: Direct force, aggressive techniques, overwhelming power Philosophy: "The creative principle - pure yang energy that drives forward"
Techniques emphasize straight attacks, powerful strikes, and dominant positioning.
☷ 곤 (Gon) - Earth Stance
Element: Earth / Receptive (地) Nature: Pure Yin - receptive and yielding Combat Style: Grounding techniques, takedowns, throws Philosophy: "The receptive - earth receives and supports all"
Techniques focus on sweeps, trips, takedowns, and ground control.
☳ 진 (Jin) - Thunder Stance
Element: Thunder / Arousing (雷) Nature: Yang moving, sudden and shocking Combat Style: Explosive power, shocking techniques, sudden movements Philosophy: "The arousing - thunder brings shock and awakening"
Techniques feature explosive bursts, stunning strikes, and overwhelming force.
☲ 리 (Li) - Fire Stance
Element: Fire / Flame (火) Nature: Yang exterior, Yin interior - bright and precise Combat Style: Precise nerve strikes, rapid attacks, speed techniques Philosophy: "The clinging - illuminating and consuming"
Techniques emphasize vital point targeting, quick combinations, and precision.
☴ 손 (Son) - Wind Stance
Element: Wind / Wood (風) Nature: Yin, gentle but penetrating Combat Style: Continuous pressure, evasion techniques, mobility Philosophy: "The gentle - penetrating like wind, persistent like wood"
Techniques emphasize movement, pressure point chains, and wearing down opponents.
☱ 태 (Tae) - Lake Stance
Element: Lake / Marsh (澤) Nature: Yin exterior, Yang interior - joyful movement Combat Style: Fluid joint manipulation, flowing techniques, adaptable responses Philosophy: "The joyful - water above earth, freedom of movement"
Techniques focus on joint locks, throws, and using opponent's momentum.
Eight Trigram stances (팔괘) representing fundamental combat principles.
Korean: 팔괘 자세 (Eight Trigram Stances) Origin: I Ching (易經 / Yijing) divination system adapted for Korean martial arts
The Eight Trigrams (Bagua / 八卦) form the foundation of the combat system. Each trigram represents a natural element and combat philosophy, influencing available techniques, movement patterns, and strategic advantages.
Trigram Philosophy
Example
See
Korean
팔괘