Kon means earth, and the associated trigram (three broken lines) is um/yin. Earth provides us with birth, and sustains us in life, and all lives must return to where they begin - earth. Yet the circle of life also provides renewal and rebirth.
Thus our status as colored belts begins with Yang, and ends with Yin, only for us to be reborn as Black Belts - a new morning, a new day, a new season, a new challenge. Upon finishing our basic training we face new challenges and are beginners once more, evolving from strong, proud and dignified Gups into humble, honest and eager Dans.
In peforming Tae Geuk Pal Jang we must demonstrate everything that we have learned to date: twisting, turning power; controlled breathing; relaxed internal energy; strong, confident kihaps; fluid movement; bodily control; balance and coordination. Pal Jang should be grand and dramatic.
