Taekwondo belt system is represented by the different colored belts practitioners wear. The Taekwondo rank varies by school but generally starts with a white belt that represents a beginner student and typically, moves through various colored belts all the way up to black belt.
The concept of the Taekwondo belt system stems from the idea that the color white represents purity or birth while the color black represents maturity and mastery. As students progresses through the Taekwondo, the belts get darker until obtaining a black belt that represents maturity and a collection of all the knowledge gained throughout the student’s journey.
However, learning or mastery does not end with a black belt; on the contrary, the black belt is when a student further refines techniques, gains a deeper understanding of Taekwondo philosophy, shares the knowledge obtained through years of training with others by teaching and strives to reach for higher mental, physical, and spiritual development.
White Belt Meaning: White belt represents purity and the beginning of knowledge and the development of basic skills. Man is as a seed hidden beneath the winter’s snow.
Education: Youth Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances
Walking stance (Ahp Seo Gi)
Fighting stance
Hand Techniques
Straight punch (Ji Reu Gi)
Low block (Ah Rae Mahk Ki)
Outside block (Mohm Tohng Bah Kaht Mahk Ki)
High block (Eol Gool Mahk Ki)
Foot Techniques
Front Kick
Self Defense & One Step
3 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
Board Breaks
Straight punch
Front Kick
Yellow Belt (8th kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Yellow Belt Meaning: Yellow belt represents the warmth of the winter’s sun that melts the winter’s snow and allows the seed to germinate. This is the birth of conscious and purposeful action.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 1 (Taegeuk IL Jang). 18 Movements.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 1 (Taegeuk Il Jang)
Name of instructor: Sa bum nim
Black belt grade: Dan
Color belt grade: Kup
Front stance: Ahp Kubi
Round Kick: Dollyo Chah Gi
Side Kick: Yeop Chah Gi
Student must be able to name and define 1 of 5 Tae Kwon Do tenets.
Numbers 1-20
11.Yeol Hana
12.Yeol Tul
13.Yeol Set
14.Yeol Net
15.Yeol Tasot
16.Yeol Yosot
17.Yeol Ilgob
18.Yeol Yudol
19.Yeol Ahop
20.SeuMool
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances:
Front stance (Ahp Kubi)
Hand Techniques:
Palm strike
Inside block (Mohm Tohng (Ahn) Mahk Ki)
Foot Techniques:
Round kick (Dollyo Chah Gi)
Side kick (Yeop Chah Gi)
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 1 (Taegeuk IL Jang)
Self Defense & One Step:
2 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
2 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Palm strike
Side kick
Orange Belt (7th Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Orange Belt Meaning: Orange belt also represents the warmth of the winter’s sun that melts the winter’s snow and allows the seed to germinate. This is the birth of conscious and purposeful action.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 2 (Taegeuk Ee Jang). 18 Movements.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 2 (Taegeuk I Jang)
Name of head instructor – Kwan jang nim
Name of the arm: Pal
Name of the foot: Bal
Thank you: Kam saham nida
Middle (horse) stance: Joo Choom Seo Gi
Student must be able to name and define 2 of 5 Tae Kwon Do tenets.
Numbers 1-30:
21.SeuMool Hana
22.SeuMool Tul
23.SeuMool Set
24.SeuMool Net
25.SeuMool Tasot
26.SeuMool Yosot
27.SeuMool Ilgob
28.SeuMool Yudol
29.SeuMool Ahop
30.Soreun
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances:
Middle (horse) stance (Joo Choom Seo Gi)
Hand Techniques:
Elbow strike
Foot Techniques:
Step side kick
Outside crescent kick
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 2 (Taegeuk I Jang)
Self Defense & One Step:
2 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
2 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Elbow strike
Step side kick
Green Belt (6th Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Green Belt Meaning: Green belt represents the color of a sprout and the spring when growth and activity abound. This is continued growth of knowledge.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 3 (Taegeuk Sam Jang). 20 Movements.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 3 (Taegeuk Sam Jang)
Begin: Sijak
Stop: Geu Man
Back stance: Dweet kubi
Single knife hand block: Han son nal maki
Back kick: Dweet cha Gi
Student must be able to name and define 3 of 5 Tae Kwon Do tenets.
Numbers 1-40
31.Soreun Hana
32.Soreun Tul
33.Soreun Set
34.Soreun Net
35.Soreun Tasot
36.Soreun Yosot
37.Soreun Ilgob
38.Soreun Yudol
39.Soreun Ahop
40.Maheun
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances:
Back stance (Dweet kubi)
Hand Techniques:
Knife hand strike (Sohn Nahl Chi Gi)
Knife hand block (Sohn Nahl Mahk Ki)
Foot Techniques:
Back kick (Dweet cha ki)
Inside crescent kick
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 3 (Taegeuk Sam Jang)
Self Defense & One Step:
2 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
2 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Knife hand strike
Back kick
Blue Belt (5th Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Blue Belt Meaning: Blue belt represents the color of youth, ambition, and rapid growth. The seedling is now reaching for the blue sky.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 4 (Taegeuk Sah Jang). 20 Movements.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 5 (Taegeuk Sa Jang)
Student must be able to name and define 4 of 5 Tae Kwon Do tenets.
Numbers 1-50
41.Maheun Hana
42.Maheun Tul
43.Maheun Set
44.Maheun Net
45.Maheun Tasot
46.Maheun Yosot
47.Maheun Ilgob
48.Maheun Yudol
49.Maheun Ahop
50.Sheen
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances:
Front stance (Ahp Kubi)
Hand Techniques:
Back fist & Reverse block
Foot Techniques:
Jump front kick
Jump round kick
Spinning crescent kick
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 4 (Taegeuk Sa Jang)
One previous poomsae of instructor’s choice.
Self Defense & One Step:
2 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
2 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Back fist
Jump front kick
Purple Belt (4th Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Purple Belt Meaning: Purple belt also represents the color of youth, ambition, and rapid growth. The seedling is now reaching for the blue sky.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 5 (Taegeuk Oh Jang). 20 Movements.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 6 (Taegeuk Oh Jang)
Student must be able to name and define 5 of 5 Taekwondo tenets.
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Hand Techniques:
Ridge hand strike
Foot Techniques:
Flying side kick
Double round kick
Hook kick
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 5 (Taegeuk Oh Jang)
One previous poomsae of instructor’s choice.
Self Defense & One Step:
2 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
2 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Ridge hand strike
Flying side kick
Brown Belt (3rd Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Brown Belt Meaning: Brown belt represents the earth in which the roots are developing to nourish the plant. The roots of Taegeuk have formed and the growth of knowledge and skills continues.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 6 (Taegeuk Yuk Jang). 23 Movements.
Essay: Student must write 500 word essay about what they have learned about themselves through Taekwondo training.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 6 (Taegeuk Yook Jang)
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Hand Techniques:
Downward knife hand strike
Foot Techniques:
Axe kick
Spinning hook kick
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 6 (Taegeuk Yook Jang)
Two previous forms of instructor’s choice.
Self Defense & One Step:
2 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
2 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Downward knife hand strike
Axe kick
Red Belt (2nd Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Red Belt Meaning: Red belt represents the seedling reaching maturity. Soon it will be harvested.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 7 (Taegeuk Chil Jang). 25 Movements.
Essay: Student must write 500 word essay defining one Taekwondo tenet and elaborating what part of the tenet the student has mastered and what aspects require further development.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 7 (Taegeuk Chil Jang)
Tiger stance: Beom Seo Gi
Teaching: Student must have 10 teaching hours.
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least to a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances:
Tiger stance (Beom Seo Gi)
Hand Techniques:
Hammer fist strike
Foot Techniques:
Jumping back kick
Jump spinning crescent kick
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 7 (Taegeuk Chil Jang)
Two previous forms of instructor’s choice.
Self Defense & One Step:
3 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
3 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Hammer fist strike
Jumping back kick
Deputy Belt (1st Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
Red High Belt (Deputy Black) Meaning: Deputy black belt represents the twilight of fall’s sun and the completeness of harvest.
New Poomsae: Taegeuk 8 (Taegeuk Pal Jang). 24 Movements.
Essay: Student must write 1000 word essay about what it means to them to become a black belt.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of poomsae: Taegeuk 8 (Taegeuk Pal Jang)
All previous terminology
Teaching:
Student must have 20 teaching hours.
Education: Students must provide a recent copy of their school report card with grades C or higher. Students with grades D or F in their report card will be allowed to take promotion test but will not receive new belt/rank until grades have improved to at least to a C.
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances:
All previous stance
Hand Techniques:
All previous stance
Foot Techniques:
All previous foot techniques
Poomsae:
Taegeuk 8 (Taegeuk Pal Jang)
All previous forms.
Self Defense & One Step:
10 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
10 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Double round kick
Spinning round kick
Instructor’s choice
Black/Poom Belt (1st Dan/Poom)
Promotion Test Requirements
Black Belt Meaning Black belt represents mastery and maturity. No color added to this color can change or improve it. This completes a cycle that is now begun again as new knowledge and skills continue in a new cycle.
New Poomsae: Koryo
Essay: Student must write 10 page essay about how they will continue to self growth, share what they have learned, and lead by example.
Terminology:
Name and meaning of all previous poomsae, Koryo and all previous terminology
Teaching: Student must have 20 teaching hours.
Education: Middle and high school students must have passing school grades (no exceptions).
Must execute and demonstrate understanding of the following techniques:
Stances:
All previous stance
Hand Techniques:
All previous hand techniques
Foot Techniques:
All previous foot techniques
Poomsae:
All previous poomsae, Koryo
Self Defense & One Step:
10 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
10 Self Defense Techniques
Board Breaks:
Instructor’s choice
Black Belts (Dans/Pooms)
Black Belt Dans
As mentioned before, earning your black belt is just the beginning of a new journey of further mastery and maturity of not only techniques but also of deeper understanding of Taekwondo’s philosophy. Kukkiwon requires an obligatory training period and age limit for Dan promotion. Kukkiwon also stipulates what the contents of Dan tests are in Article 10 of their Regulations for Promotion Tests. The Dan test requiremens are:
Obligatory Training Period & Age Limits:
1st Poom: No obligatory training period for youth below age 15.
2nd Poom: Obligatory 1 year training period for youth below age 15.
3rd Poom: Obligatory 2 years training period for youth below age 15.
1st Dan: No obligatory training period for individuals age 15 and over.
2nd Dan: Obligatory 1 year training period for individuals age 16 and over.
3rd Dan: Obligatory 2 year training period for individuals age 16 and over.
4th Dan: Obligatory 3 year training period for individuals age 21 and over.
5th Dan: Obligatory 4 year training period for individuals age 25 and over.
6th Dan: Obligatory 5 year training period for individuals age 30 and over.
7th Dan: Obligatory 6 year training period for individuals age 36 and over.
8th Dan: Obligatory 8 year training period for individuals age 47 and over.
9th Dan: Obligatory 9 year training period for individuals age 55 and over.
10th Dan: No obligatory training period for individuals age 60 and over.
Contents of Tests:
Practical techniques: Poomsae, Kyorugi (sparring), kyokpa (breaking), special techniques
Theory test (applicable for 4th Dan and above): Written exam and thesis
Interview (applicable for 6th Dan and above).
Black Belt Poomsaes:
Koryo (1 Dan)
Keumgang (2 Dan)
Taebaek (3 Dan)
Pyongwon (4 Dan)
Shipjin(5 Dan)
Jitae(6 Dan)
Cheongwon(7 Dan)
Hansu(8 Dan)
Ilyeo(9 Dan)
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