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International Taekwon-do Federation

The International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF) is an international taekwondo organisation founded on March 22, 1966, by General Choi Hong Hi. The ITF was founded to promote and encourage the growth of the Korean martial art of Taekwon-Do.

The ITF's main functions include coordinating and approving tournaments and seminars, setting standards for teaching (patterns, sparring, destruction), collaborating with affiliated member organizations, and providing member services in regards to rank and certifications.

Following a period of political differences, there are now multiple groups using the name "International Taekwon-do Federation".

ITF Badge

  • The name of the organisation is inscribed around the globe to imply that ITF is taught and practised all around the world

  • The centre of the globe is engraved the fist of the founder, General Choi Hong Hi

  • On both sides of the fist are written the Letters "Tae" (left) and "Kwon" (right)

  • The blue background symbolizes the righteous and pure spirit to be nurtured by Taekwon-do practitioners, and represents peace

  • Opinion 1: The lines on the globe represent the longitude and latitude and the line connecting them signifies the north/south divide

  • Opinion 2: The top and bottom arcs on the globe represent heaven and earth, and the line between them is used to connect them

Jong Chan Kim (ITF first chief instructor)

"I have been asked to clarify the origin and design of the ITF Logo and crest. I designed the ITF Logo that is in use today at the request of General Choi in 1965. I will clarify the various parts of the logo, their meaning and how they work together. I presented the final design of the logo for General Choi's` approval.

The center line of the ITF logo in the shape of an "S" represents the South Korean flag. The half circle at the top and the half circle at the bottom represents the North and South Poles with the intersecting lines representing the Longitude and Latitude markers. Tae at the left center of the logo represents the Atlantic Ocean, the fist in the center represents the Indian Ocean, and Kwon on the center right, represents the Pacific Ocean. The Arctic and The Antarctic are separated by the two half circles The blue color represents the United Nations and the desire for World Peace. The lettering around the outside of the logo are in the form of a gear, gears working together, moving forward."


ITF Flag

 

Flag The ITF Flag is 1.66 metres long and 1 metre wide. Its three sides excluding the pole side are tasseled. In its centre is drawn the ITF Emblem, above which is written International Taekwon-Do Federation in Korean language, and beneath which is written the same name but in ancient Korean characters. Its background color is scarlet with more blackish tint.

The figure 66 in its length represents 1966, the year in which ITF is inaugurated. The tassel symbolizes Courtesy and Integrity out of Taekwon-Do motto, and its background color - Perseverance, Self-control and Indomitable spirit. The ITF title in ancient Korean characters implies the time-honored history of Korean martial arts that dates back to ancient Korea of Tangun

ITF Doboks

Colour Belts

10th Gup-1st Gup		 Novice Black
(Boo Sabum)
1st-3rd Degree		 Taekwon-do Tree
(ALL)
ALL		 International Instructor
(Sabum / Sahyun / Saesung)
4th-9th Degree

The Taekwon-Do uniform is called a "Dobok Like everything else in Taekwon-Do, it is steeped in tradition and history. The Dobok consists of a jacket, trousers, and belt. It is derived from traditional Korean clothing called "hanbok." The Dobok is not only for wear during Taekwon-Do training, it is the required uniform for competition in regional, national and international tournaments.

Reasons for Wearing the Dobok:
It instils pride in the student as a practitioner of Taekwon-Do.
It identifies the degree of skill that the wearer has attained.
Style is symbolic of Tae Kwon-Do's heritage and tradition.
Rank levels indicated by belt colour create incentive while preserving humility.
It is extremely practical and healthy.

There are three types of Taekwon-Do Dobok. One for coloured belt students, one for Black Belt students, and one for International Instructors (selected from amongst the IV Degree Black Belts and above)

The black trim is symbolic, as in ancient Korea the colour black signified the highest position, i.e. royalty and the aristocracy.

ITF Shoulder Epaulettes

Assistant Instructor
(Boo sabum)
1st-3rd Degree		 Instructor
(Sabum)
4th-6th Degree		 Master
(Sahyun)
7th-8th Degree		 Grandmaster
(Saseong)
9th Degree

ITF Recognition Plaque

The plaque is only issued to genuine ITF Taekwon-Do instructors. Each plaque has its own unique number issued by ITF HQ.

It was designed in 1965/66 by J.C. Kim (who also designed the ITF logo)

The shape of the ITF Instructors Plaque takes the shape of a turtle shell, representing longevity and the health benefits of Taekwon-Do and the perseverance required to make it to Black Belt and beyond.

The colours represent the colours of the Taekwon-Do belts and the figures represent the pioneering instructors demonstrating the variation of techniques found in Taekwon-Do. The Fist in the centre is a cast of the founders own hand.

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