Traditional Taekwon-do Belt Colours
The concept of belts and rank is probably one that most people associate with Taekwon-Do and martial arts in general.
Our belts reflect a member’s proven level of competence and (just as importantly) the progression of colors reflects an inner journey that never truly ends. Each belt achieved is truly an accomplishment worthy of respect.
It is also worth noting that achieving a belt isn’t just a matter of “spending enough time” in a previous belt. In order to achieve their next rank, a student must demonstrate their proficiency in their current belt’s techniques, to include Basic Moves, Sparring, and Forms.
White Belt
Pure and without the knowledge of Songahm Taekwon-Do. As with the Pine Tree, the seed must now be planted and nourished to develop strong roots. The student has no knowledge of Taekwon-Do and begins with a clean (pure) slate.
Purity is often signified by the color White.
Yellow Belt
The seed is beginning to see the sunlight. The student begins to understand the basics of Taekwon-Do.
The sun appears to be Yellow.
Green Belt
The pine tree is beginning to develop and grow in strength.” The student’s technique is developing power. The components of the basic techniques are beginning to work in unison.
As the pine tree develops, it sprouts Green pine needles
Blue Belt
The tree reaches for the sky toward new heights.” Having passed the mid-way point, the student focuses his/her energy upward toward black belt.
The sky appears as Blue.
Red Belt
The sun is setting. The first phase of growth has been accomplished.” The first day (the period of time from white belt to red belt) of growth is coming to an end. The physical skill has been developed but lacks control; therefore, physical and mental discipline must now be achieved.
Variations of Red are found among the many colors of the sunset.
Black Belt
The tree has reached maturity and has overcome the darkness… it must now ‘plant seeds for the future.'” The color black is created when all the colors of the light spectrum have been absorbed into an object. That object has “taken control” of the colors and retained them. If one color was to “escape”, the object would no longer be black but would appear as that color. The student has mastered the nine geup (grades) of Taekwon-Do. He/she has “absorbed” all the knowledge of the color ranks and overcome or “mastered” that level or training.
The colors of the spectrum are bound together and are not reflected off an object, resulting in the absence of color which we call Black.
