The 5 tenets of taekwondo are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. They are the moral code of Taekwon-Do as taught by General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of the International Taekwon-Do Federation (ITF). Students learn them as white belts, recite them in class and are often asked about them at belt tests. Each tenet has a Korean name, and each one describes how a student should act inside the dojang and outside it.
| The five tenets | Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control, indomitable spirit |
|---|---|
| Korean terms | Ye ui (예의), yom chi (염치), in nae (인내), guk gi (극기), baekjul boolgool (백절불굴) |
| Where they come from | ITF Taekwon-Do, founded by General Choi Hong Hi |
| Where you hear them | Class openings and closings, belt tests, the student oath |
| Who teaches them | ITF schools and many independent and Kukkiwon-style schools |
The code
What are the 5 tenets of taekwondo?
A tenet is a principle you live by. In taekwondo, the five tenets set the standard for a student’s character, the same way forms and sparring set the standard for technique. Instructors watch for them in how you bow, how you train and how you treat a partner.
Ye ui · 예의
Courtesy
Respect for instructors, seniors, training partners and the training hall.
Yom chi · 염치
Integrity
Knowing right from wrong, and feeling it when you do wrong.
In nae · 인내
Perseverance
Setting a goal and sticking with it until you reach it.
Guk gi · 극기
Self-control
Control of your power in sparring and of your temper and habits outside class.
Baekjul boolgool · 백절불굴
Indomitable spirit
Standing by your principles and pushing on against long odds.
Tip
Learn the Korean term with each English word. Many instructors ask for both at color-belt tests, and the romanized spelling can differ from school to school.
The tenets explained
The meaning of each tenet
1. Courtesy (ye ui)
Courtesy is respect shown in action. In the dojang, that means bowing when you enter and leave, listening when the instructor speaks and treating every partner with care, whatever their rank. Outside class, it means good manners and consideration for others.
- Bow to the instructor and to your partner before and after drills.
- Arrive on time and in a clean uniform.
- Use titles such as sir, ma’am or sabum nim if your school uses them.
- Thank people who help you, in class and at home.
2. Integrity (yom chi)
Integrity means knowing right from wrong and acting on it, even when no one is watching. A student with integrity trains honestly, admits mistakes and earns rank instead of chasing it.
- Count every repetition, including the ones the instructor does not see.
- Admit it when you break a rule or hurt a partner by accident.
- Keep your promises outside class.
- Return extra change at a store.
3. Perseverance (in nae)
Perseverance is patience with a purpose. Taekwondo progress is slow: a new kick, a new form or a higher belt can take months. Perseverance keeps you training through plateaus, failed tests and sore muscles.
- Repeat a form until it is right, not until the clock runs out.
- Come back after a failed belt test and work on the notes you got.
- Keep stretching on the days your kicks feel stiff.
4. Self-control (guk gi)
Self-control means mastering yourself before anyone else. In sparring, it is the difference between a controlled point and an injury. Outside class, it covers your temper, your words and your habits.
- Match your power to your partner’s size and skill.
- Stop the moment the referee or instructor calls it.
- Walk away from a fight you can avoid.
5. Indomitable spirit (baekjul boolgool)
Indomitable spirit is courage that does not quit. It means standing by your principles and speaking up against something wrong, even when you are outnumbered or the odds are long. In training, it shows when you give full effort at the end of a hard class.
- Finish the last round of a drill as hard as the first.
- Stand up for a classmate who is being picked on.
- Keep a positive attitude after a loss at a tournament.
In practice
How to practice the tenets in class
The tenets are easier to remember when you tie each one to a habit. Use this list as a checklist before your next class or belt test.
- Courtesy: bow in and out, and greet your instructor by title.
- Integrity: train the same way when no one is watching.
- Perseverance: pick one weak technique and work on it every class for a month.
- Self-control: spar at the agreed level of contact, every round.
- Indomitable spirit: give full effort in the last drill of the night.
Kids’ programs often turn the tenets into a word of the month. Parents can ask their child to give one example of the tenet at dinner, which links what happens in class to life at home. For more on what children gain from training, see 12 ways taekwondo training benefits kids.
Compare
The tenets vs. the student oath
ITF schools pair the tenets with a student oath. The tenets describe character. The oath is a set of promises, and its first line is a promise to observe the tenets.
| Item | The five tenets | The student oath |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Five values | Five promises |
| Main focus | Character | Conduct and responsibility |
| How it is used | Recited, posted on the wall, asked at tests | Recited at the start or end of class |
| Who uses it | ITF and many other schools | Mainly ITF and ITF-derived schools |
In short, students who take the oath promise to:
- Observe the tenets of Taekwon-Do.
- Respect instructors and seniors.
- Never misuse Taekwon-Do.
- Be a champion of freedom and justice.
- Help build a more peaceful society.
Note
Wording and spelling vary between organizations and schools. At a belt test, use the version your instructor teaches.
Keep learning
Related reading
- General Choi Hong Hi, the founder of taekwondo
- Bowing in taekwondo and what it means
- The 10 commandments of taekwondo
- The trinity of taekwondo: mind, body and spirit
- Taekwondo terminology for beginners
- Taekwondo belt order
- ITF belt order and rank
- The history of taekwondo
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
What are the 5 tenets of taekwondo?
Courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. In Korean they are ye ui, yom chi, in nae, guk gi and baekjul boolgool.
Are the tenets the same as the 5 rules of taekwondo?
People often call the tenets the five rules of taekwondo, but they are values, not competition rules. Sparring and scoring rules are a separate set covered in our guide to taekwondo sparring and tournament rules.
Do all taekwondo schools teach the five tenets?
No. The tenets come from ITF Taekwon-Do. Many Kukkiwon-style and independent schools teach them too, while others use their own code, such as a list of school rules or the 10 commandments of taekwondo.
What is the Korean word for courtesy in taekwondo?
Ye ui (예의). Schools also spell it ye-ui or yeui.
Will I be asked about the tenets at a belt test?
Often, yes, especially at color-belt levels. You may be asked to list them, give the Korean terms or explain one in your own words. Ask your instructor what your test covers.
The short version
The five tenets of taekwondo are courtesy, integrity, perseverance, self-control and indomitable spirit. Learn them in English and Korean, tie each one to a habit and show them in how you train.