Belt System

Taekwondo and many other martial arts use a belt and rank system to keep track of the practitioner’s progress.

Usually lighter colours signify beginners, and darker colours signify more advanced practitioners.

Although the colours and patterns of the belt system may change from dojang to dojang, the rank system is standardized across the world.

The ranking system and belt colours have been an Important part of Taekwondo since the 1940s.

The belts provide a small motivational push each time a practitioner ranks up. It’s also easy to assume the expectations and technical quality of the practitioner at a glance. (with some exceptions!)

The belt system is like micro goals within the greater goal of achieving mastery of Taekwondo; or in most cases the elusive and legendary ‘blackbelt.’

What makes the micro goals (belts) so effective is that they are tangible, and the time between belts isn’t too long.

Usually between 3-6 months per belt, depending on the dojang and the master.

The belt system lays out clear expectations and guidelines:

• Yellow belts should know this, and have these abilities.
• Red belts should know this, plus more, and with better technique.

White symbolizes a meaning of blankness. An empty page waiting to be filled with experiences and knowledge.

Yellow stripe is the middle phase between a total beginner (white belt) and a yellow belt.

Yellow symbolizes a seed planted, with nurturing it may begin to grow.

Green symbolizes a plant growing, along with the practitioner.. slowly but surely.

Blue signifies the ocean or the sky, as the plant is aspiring towards the sky without limits! At any one time we cannot see the whole ocean, or sky with our naked eyes. We must not give up and continue to train hard to further the depth of our knowledge of the height of our character!

Red is a sign of blood, warning to the practitioner that they are learning dangerous and potentially lethal techniques. At this point self control is critical. Red is also the balance to blue in the Korean flag, which means instead of limitless like the sky, we are limited as humans. Having limits allows us to pursue short term goals and better track our progress.

Black combines the lessons and experiences of all the belts that have come before. All the self knowledge that comes from persevering and grooming an indomitable spirit. The courtesy, integrity, and self control that have come through the various achievements, relationships, and knowledge that has been accrued.

Black means that now, armed with these tools.. we can really get down to training Taekwondo!

Testing is an honourable achievement. When the Sabumnim 사범님 (Instructor) deems a practitioner is ready to move up, they will invite them to test. Traditional Taekwondo dojangs must maintain a high standard to avoid becoming a ‘McDojang’ or a ‘Belt Factory.’

Belt Factories, or McDojangs are Taekwondo schools where the belt system is not based on merit, skill, or knowledge… but rather time training or money invested.

“Welcome to our Dojang, you should sign up for the ‘Black Belt Club!’ guaranteed a black belt in 2 years!”

“Our Students receive stripes every month, and once they have enough stripes they promote right away!”

By the way here is your test application, it costs an outrageous amount as well!

It is best to avoid black belt factories at all cost!

Each rank in Taekwondo is called a ‘geup’ 급 in Korean. Usually a student begins their journey without a geup and progresses from 10th geup to 1st geup.

After the geup system, the black belts are ranked by 9 degrees, or in Korean called ‘dan’ 단. Once you reach 1st geup you may promote to 1st Dan, followed by 2nd Dan, etc.

Typically Dan rank also indicates a potential title, for example 1st to 3rd dan is instructor, 4th to 6th dan is a master, and 7th and above is grandmaster.

Taekwondo is an individual sport, so practitioners advance at their own rank.

HOWEVER

The belt doesn’t matter as much as the skills and abilities necessary to develop proficiency in Taekwondo. Sometimes I’ll see yellow belts from a reputable school go to town on a red belt from a McDojang…

How do Dojangs promote practitioners for their next geup?

1. Poomsae
2. Sparring
3. physical conditioning (pushups, burpees, jumps, etc.)
4. Flexibility
5. Theoretical tests about taekwondo history and taekwondo lexicon

How long does it take to get a blackbelt in Taekwondo?

Generally it takes about 4 years to get a black belt, unless you find yourself training in a Belt Factory!

My Guanjangnim 관장님 (Grand Master) and many masters in south korea consider the blackbelt as the end of the beginner’ stage and the starting of ‘real’ knowledge.

Which is why we are always so saddened when a freshly minted blackbelt promptly stops training.

You might say:

“It’s the Journey, not the Destination that counts.”

Train hard, earn your belt, and see you on the mats.👊