Ilyeo
일여 · Ilyeo
Literally: „State of unity“
Also known as: Ilyo
Taekwondo's last poomsae according to the Taekwondo Compendium, assigned to the 9th dan test. The name means unity in the Buddhist sense, and the practice line follows the character 卍.
Quick Facts
About the kata
The Taekwondo Compendium calls Ilyeo the last poomsae of taekwondo and assigns it to the 9th dan test. According to the same source, until 1972 it was named Silla. The clubs Springwater Taekwondo of Sheffield and South Dublin Taekwondo both count 23 movements for it. The kihap, per the Compendium, sounds twice, each time combining the downward palm block batangson nulleo makgi with the fingertip thrust pyeonsonkkeut sewo jjireugi. It is practiced from the ready stance bo jumeok junbi: the left palm lightly wraps the right fist in front of the chin, which the Compendium interprets as unity, moderation, and an unbroken flow of energy through the body and arms. New in it is the crossed head block eotgeoreo eolgul makgi, the block oesan makgi combined with the side kick yeop chagi, the two-open-hand grab with a twist and pull du son pyeo biteureo jaba dangigi, the jumping side kick ttwieo yeop chagi, and the stance ogeum seogi. According to the Compendium, ogeum seogi differs from the crane stance hakdari seogi only in the position of the raised leg: the instep presses into the hollow behind the knee. During the front kick before the jump, the fists stay at the hips, and only into the jump may the practitioner assist with the arms.
The kata in different styles
| Style | Name in the style | Movements | Kiai |
|---|---|---|---|
| WT Taekwondo | Ilyeo | 23 | 2 |
Meaning of the name
Kukkiwon interprets the name as a state of spiritual cultivation in Buddhism, a unity in which the essence of the thought of the venerable Wonhyo of the Silla period is reflected. In Ilyeo, it says, points, lines, and circles unite: techniques the practitioner learned each separately finally join with mind and body. At this level one is to learn how movements arise and end in detachment, beyond artificial action governed by conscious thought. The English Wikipedia, which spells the name Ilyo, adds that in this state body and mind, spirit and matter, self and other merge. The practice line follows the character 卍. The Taekwondo Compendium sees in it a Buddhist symbol of all creation and Wonhyo's thought of self-denial in the triad bon, che, and yong; it also explicitly rejects any connection between the character and Nazism.
Rhythm and dynamics
According to the Compendium, in Ilyeo all turns rotate left except the last, by which the practitioner returns to bo jumeok junbi. The intervals between movements are not equal: they depend on whether an attacking or a defensive technique follows. Drawing the fists to the hips into du jumeok heori junbi should go directly, with no preparatory movement, a bit slower than usual, but not stretched to five seconds.
In competition
In World Taekwondo's competition rules in force since 30 September 2024, we have not been able to find Ilyeo: the compulsory lists end, even in the oldest categories of individuals, pairs, and teams, with the form Hansu. The Taekwondo Compendium sums it up by saying it is the only master poomsae that the competition selection of no age category includes.
In grading syllabi
- Kukkiwon system (poom and dan): 9th dan
Key Tip
During the oesan makgi block with the side kick, the arms hold the block's first phase while the leg draws up for the kick; according to the Taekwondo Compendium, the block and the kick finish at the same moment.