Northwest Taekwondo
Association
E Pluribus Unum
History and Overview
Pattern
å…
E Pluribus Unum, Latin for "together as one" or "out of many one" is the first of Mr Chung's forms. The form consists of 10 counts, 18 techniques, and faces 5 directions. Mr Chung named the form after the moto of the Great Seal of the United States. Charles Thomson, Secretary of the Continental Congress, designed the 1782 seal to symbolize our country’s strength, unity, and independence. The olive branch and the arrows held in the eagle’s talons denote the power of peace and war. The eagle always casts its gaze toward the olive branch signifying that our nation desires to pursue peace but stands ready to defend itself. According to some records the moto E Pluribus Unum was taken from an old British magazine called the “Gentleman’s Magazine.” The Magazine posted the phrase along with a picture of a hand holding a nosegay of flowers. Each flower in the bouquet was different and unique, yet they came together as one lovely bouquet. Mr Chung's choice of this being the first of his choregraphed forms is a profound picture of each of our journeys in martial arts and how each of us have unique gifts and talents. When we do the form we do not "come together as one" to all become the same, like a clone, but rather to highlight our uniqueness which when combined with others strengths and gifts, creates a stronger and more beautiful whole.
The pattern of the Form makes å… (liù)the Chinese number 6 for 19(6)8 when Mr Chung came to the US. The pattern also represents the eagle on the great seal. It is good to note that the form starts moving to the left just like the eagle and our nations desire to pursue peace. This concept is also represented in the techniques in the form and as the form changes direction and moves to the right the moves become more offensive.
Written Step by Step
Ready Stance
1. Step forward with the left foot into a fighting stance (L stance), wrap-up for a left low block and execute a low block at the same time your left foot hits the floor. Reach out with the left hand as if to grab someone, step back with the left foot into a riding stance, when the left foot hits the floor pull the left hand to the left hip in a fist and simultaneously execute a right middle punch, with a Ki-Hap.
2. Look to the left, pivot the left foot and shift into a free fighting stance, wrap-up for a left low block and execute a low block. Step with the left foot to the left and slightly forward into a forward stance, when the left foot hits the floor execute a right middle punch and pull the left hand to the hip.
3. Step forward with the right foot next to the left foot, grab with the left hand and pull the right hand in a fist to the hip. Continue stepping forward with the right foot into a forward stance and when the right foot hits the floor execute a right high punch.
4. Step forward with the left foot so that your feet are together, execute a right straight kick, retract the kick and pull the right punch back at the same time, both feet are together. Reach up with both hands palms down and then pull both hands in fists back to the hips.
5. Snap both arms out forward, the right arm straight with the fist palm down, the left arm bent and the fist palm up by the right elbow. Look behind you over the left shoulder and step out that direction with the left foot into a free fighting stance, hands up in guard position.
6. Step forward with the right foot into a forward stance and execute a right middle punch when the right foot hits the floor.
7. Step forward with the left foot into a forward stance and execute a left high punch when the left foot hits the floor.
8. Step back with the left foot so that both feet are together, wrap up for a right middle inside block both arms in front of the chest with both fists palm down and right arm on the bottom. Step out with the right foot at a 45 degree angle to the right rear corner of the room into a free fighting stance and execute a right middle inside block at the same time the right foot hits the floor. Step with the right foot to the right and slightly forward into a forward stance, when the right foot hits the floor execute a left middle punch and pull the right hand to the hip.
9. Step back with the right foot so that both feet are together and pivot (clockwise) on the heels to the right 180 degrees to your right (opposite end of the room from move #7). Wrap up for a left middle inside block both arms in front of the chest with both fists palm down and left arm on the bottom. Step out with the left foot at a 45 degree angle to the left rear corner of the room into a free fighting stance and execute a left middle inside block at the same time the left foot hits the floor. Step with the left foot to the left and slightly forward into a forward stance, when the left foot hits the floor execute a right middle punch and pull the left hand to the hip.
10. Reach with the right hand and grab to the front of the room, step forward with the left foot into a deep riding stance facing the front of the room. When the left foot hits the floor execute a left middle punch with a Ki-Hap and pull the right hand to the hip.
Ready Stance left foot moves to the right.