Ranks and Belt Colors

In the Taekwondo belt/rank system, each student who stay in training will:

1. •Begin training as a 9th gup (class) white belt
   

2. •Progress through the color gup belts
   

3. •Earn a 1st dan (degree) black belt
   

4. •May conceivably eventually progress to the highest rank, 9th degree black belt.
   

Taekwondo belts are divided into three distinct groups:

1. •White Belt (beginner)
   

2. •Color Belts (amateur)
   

3. •Black Belts (expert)
   

Black belt degrees are also divided into three distinct groups:

1. •The first group consists of first through third degree black belts, the novice degrees where students are still considered beginners in comparison to the higher degrees.
   

2. •At the fourth degree black belt level, students enter the next group, the expert group (4th and 5th degrees). They are considered Taekwondo experts who know everything there is to know about the technical aspects of Taekwondo.
   

3. •The third group, the sixth through ninth degree black belts, is considered the master group, the elite who fully understand all the mental and physical elements of Taekwondo and have devoted their entire lives to its practice.
   

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sically, first through fifth degree black belts are awarded based on what the person can do, and sixth through ninth degree black belts are awarded on what the person has done for Taekwondo and the certifying organization.

Ranks below black belt range from 9th gup (lowest) to 1st gup (highest). In contrast, black belts range from 1st dan (lowest) to 9th dan

(highest). This means that gups descend from 9 to 1, whereas dans ascend from 1 to 9. This inverted progression stems from the eastern belief that all life develops in, and descends from, heaven; lives on the earth; and then returns to heaven. Nine is the highest single integer in the decimal system and, in some eastern cultures, it represents the highest attainable goal, heaven.

In the Orient, three is the most esteemed of all the numbers. The Chinese character for 3 contains three lines: the upper line symbolizes heaven; the middle line symbolizes mortals; and the bottom line symbolizes earth. Eastern belief was that a king was one who could link these three things (God, mankind, and country) so the Chinese character for three and the one for king are nearly synonymous. As mentioned above, there are three groups of Taekwondo lower belts and three groups of black belts. When the number three is multiplied by itself, the product is nine, the highest integer. So, the numbers three and nine are important in the Taekwondo belt system.

The number nine is interesting in another way. When it is multiplied by any of the integers, and the individual integers of the product are added together, the answer is always nine, for example 9 times 1 equals 9; 9 times 2 equals 18 and 1 plus 8 equals 9; etc. Nine is the only integer having this property.

Some theories for the origin of the color belts include:

Dyeing Theory: In the old days, as the student progressed in rank, the belt was simply dyed to a new color. This repeated dyeing process determined the colors and the order of colors. Due to the dyeing process, it was practical to increasingly use darker colors so the usual color order is white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black.

White-Belt-Getting-Dirtier Theory: Traditionally, when a person began the study of Taekwondo, he or she received a white belt to hold the uniform together. After many months of training, the white would begin to discolor and become yellowish and possibly orange. After many months of rigorous practice, many times in grassy fields, the belt would take on a green appearance as it discolored further. After several years of practice, the belt would further darken, assuming a dark blue or purple hue. After

numerous sparring sessions, the belt might develop a red or brown hue from the accumulation of bloodstains. After several decades of Taekwondo training, the belt would eventually turn black. If the student devoted his or her life to Taekwondo training, the belt would continue to darken, but it would also begin to fray and begin to show spots of white from its inner core. Gradually, most of the black would wear away and the belt would become white again, signifying that the student had come full circle and reached the final stage of enlightenment.

Symbolism Theory: The color indicates the rank of the wearer but it is also symbolizes other aspects of eastern philosophy. Belt colors are steeped in tradition. The colors of black, red, and blue denoted the various levels of Korean hierarchy during the Koguryo and Silla Dynasties. Red represents the highest ranks and positions of officials in politics, government, military, and religion. It is the "king's" color and the color of Popes and Cardinals. Diplomats wear red bands across their shoulders and red is used on flags of different nations and on ribbons used for military awards. Some martial art styles consider the red belt as the highest color of achievement.

The color white also had great significance in Korean history. When Tangun, the son of Hwanung, founded Korea under the name of Choson, the name was based on the spirit of worshiping the sun (symbolizing brightness/whiteness). In some religions, a white garment signifies a sinless life. The color white symbolizes birth or beginning, whereas, the color black symbolizes the end. The colors white and black are also linked to the philosophy of Um (Yin)-Yang: the theory of opposites opposing each other while still working in harmony, such as the sun and moon, day and night, and beginning and end. Um-Yang is the ultimate explanation of cosmic order. It explains how everything in the universe both acts and reacts to everything else. White belt students are the opposite of black belt students in Taekwondo knowledge and ability but white and black belts work in concert to increase each otherÂ’s knowledge and ability. In the Taekwondo belt system, the colored belts between white and black belts attempt to link the two together in a meaningful way.

The color white indicates that a person is "innocent", has no knowledge of the sport Taekwondo. The white-belt is automatically gained by taking Taekwondo classes.

The color yellow indicates that the person is getting to know the basic techniques, this phase is compared to a plant growing its roots.

The color green indicates that a student is growing as a Taekwondo student. The color of the belt is compared to a plant growing its leafs.

The color orange shows that Taekwondo student advances in basic techniques. He/she becomes more aware of his/her abilities. The color orange represents more stronger roots which grow deeper into the soil.

The color blue indicates that a student is reaching higher, like a plant that is growing towards the sky.

Brown is the color of wood. Students with brown belts have developed such strength, focus and determination that they start breaking wooden boards.

The color red indicates danger. The student is warned to practice the control of his/her movements. The color red also warns opponents.

Black is the opposite of white and means the maturity of the student in the art. It also is an indication of being impenetrable for fear and darkness.