RANKS
Six solid colour belts: white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black
| Grade Level | Description | |
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10th-kup | White – Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Tae kwon-Do. 3 months min requirement. |
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9th kup | White with yellow tag. 3 months min. requirement |
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8th kup | Yellow – Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Tae kwon-Do is being laid. 4 months minimum requirement. |
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7th kup | Yellow with green tag. 4 months minimum requirement |
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6th kup | Green – Signifies the plant’s growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop. 4 months minimum requirement. |
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5th kup | Green with blue tag. 4 months minimum requirement |
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4th kup | Blue – Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Tae kwon-Do progresses. 4 months minimum requirement. |
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3rd kup | Blue with red tag. 5 months minimum requirement |
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2nd kup | Red – Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away. 6 months minimum requirement. |
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1st kup | Red with black tag. 6 months requirement |
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1st dan | Black – Opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Tae kwon-Do; also indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear. |
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2nd dan | Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 2 years) |
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3rd dan | Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 3 years) |
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4th dan | International Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 4 years). At this point, a person may become a “SaBum-Nim” |
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5th dan | Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 5 years) |
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6th dan | Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 6 years) |
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7th dan | Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 7 years) |
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8th dan | Senior Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 8 years) |
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9th dan | Grand Master |