White Belt (9th Kub)
Promotion Test Requirements
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.
Required Poomsae: Taeguek Cho Dan
Basic Terminology:
- Name and meaning of poomsae: Taeguek Cho Don
- Attention:Charyut
- Bow: Kyung Neh
- Ready: Joon Bi
- Yell: Ki Hop
- School: Do Jang
- Uniform: Do Buk
- Belt: Ti
- Numbers 1-10:
- 1.Hana
- 2.Tul
- 3.Set
- 4.Net
- 5.Tasot
- 6.Yosot
- 7.Ilgob
- 8.Yudol
- 9.Ahop
- 10.Yeol
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
- Self Defense & One Step
- 3 Self One Step Sparring Techniques
- Board Breaks
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:
- 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:
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:
- 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:
- 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:
- 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:
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:
- 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:
- 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:
- Hand Techniques:
- 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:
- 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:
Black Belts (Dans/Pooms)
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)
