Taekwondo belts - what the colors mean
As with some other Asian martial arts, such as judo or karate, a colored belt system is also used in Taekwondo. The meaning and order of the colors is important to classify a fighter's level of knowledge and training.
Taekwondo briefly explained
Taekwondo (also Taekwon-Do or Tae-Kwon-Do) comes from Korea and originated from Japanese karate. As an unarmed martial art, Taekwondo relies on the dynamic use of feet and fists. "Tae" stands for the foot technique, "Kwon" for the fist technique and "Do" for the way.
The latter describes the maturing process that a fighter must go through in order to shape their mind, body and personality. In taekwondo, this progress is marked with colored belts.
Belt color meaning and order
The different Taekwondo belt colors represent the rank of a fighter. The ranks are divided into student classes (10th-1st Kup) starting with the color white and master classes (1st-9th Dan) on attaining the black belt. The ranks are increased by taking exams.
white, 10 cup: White represents purity. The student is ignorant, but he is inquisitive and open to Taekwondo.
white-yellow, 9. cup: Transition to the yellow belt.
The Taekwondo Yellow Belt exam can be the first or second belt exam you take in...
yellow, 8 cup: Yellow stands for the earth, whose fertile soil forms the foundation for future knowledge and ability.
yellow-green, 7. cup: Transition to the green belt.
green, 6 cup: Green symbolizes growth. The seed has been sown and the plant sprout. The student grows up, and the combat training shows success.
green-blue, 5. cup: Transition to the blue belt.
blue, 4 cup: The color of the sky symbolizes a limit. In order to exceed these and achieve higher things, the student has to prove himself.
blue-red or blue-brown, 3. cup: Transition to the red or brown belt.
red or brown, 2. cup: Red represents the sun. Great power emanates from the combatant. At the same time, the belt color is a warning, because the student is about to reach the master class. He now has to train even more intensively. Some combat schools use the brown belt instead of red. This stands for the bark of a tree, which means that the fighting technique has become firmly established in the student.
Red-black or brown-black, 1. cup: The red-black belt is the transition to the black belt (Dan). Children under the age of 15 then get the Poom belt (red-black divided lengthwise) which has the same rating as the Dan for adults.
Black, 1st-9th Dan: Black is the color of the masters and unites all colors in itself. She symbolizes the universe in all its facets and radiates authority, wisdom and experience.
The black belt in the master class
In the master class of Taekwondo you wear a black belt. There are nine attainable master ranks (Dan) which are counted up. From 1st to 3rd Then you are considered a master student. From the 4th Then you become a master and at the 5th Dan the status of Grandmaster. With this title you can get the 9. reach level. A special feature is the 10th Dan dar. This is not a sporting graduation, but is awarded as an honorary title by the World Taekwondo Federation WTF (World Taekwondo Federation).
