meaning of each belt

The color of the belt is an indication of the skill level of a Taekwondo student. Sometimes belts can be gained by winning competitions, the common way is by completing an exam. A brief history of Geup/kyu/dan (kyu is the Japanese equivalent of Geup) ranking systems and belts. Before Jigoro Kano invented Judo, there was no kyu/dan ranking system. Kano invented it when he awarded "shodan" to two of his senior students (Saito and Tomita) in 1883. Even then, there was no external differentiation between yudansha (dan ranks) and mudansha (those who hadn't yet attained dan ranking). Kano apparently began the custom of having his yudansha wear black obis in 1886. These obis weren't the belts karateka and judoka wear today - Kano hadn't invented the judogi (uniform) yet, and his students were still practicing in kimono. They were the wide obi still worn with formal kimono. In 1907, Kano introduced the modern gi and its modern obi, but he still only used white and black. Karateka in Okinawa didn't use any sort of special uniform at all in the old days. The kyu/dan ranking system, and the modern karategi (modified judogi) were first adopted by Funakoshi in an effort to encourage karate's acceptance by the Japanese. He awarded the first "shodan" ranks given in karate to Tokuda, Otsuka, Akiba, Shimizu, Hirose, Gima, and Kasuya on April 10, 1924. The adoption of the kyu/dan system and the adoption of a standard uniform based on the judogi were 2 of the 4 conditions which the Dai-Nippon Butokukai required before recognizing karate as a "real" martial art. If you look at photographs of Okinawan karateka training in the early part of this century, you'll see that they were training in their everyday clothes, or (!) in their underwear. Most other arts that have ranking/belt color systems adopted them from the Japanese.

Color Solid White

Signifies innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of TaeKwonDo

Chong-Ji

Chong-Ji means literally "the Heaven, the Earth". It's in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the work or the beginning of human history, therefore, it's the initial form done by the beginner. In global history, we think of Plato, the father of western philosophy, from whose lessons we learn to examine the world, our minds and to achieve balance in ourselves.

Solid Yellow

Signifies Earth, from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the TaeKwonDo foundations are being laid.

Dan-Gun

Dan-Gun is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea in the year 2333 B.C. From the history of medieval Europe we remeber Charlemagne (Charles the Great, 768 A.D.), warrior and legislator. He brought the parts of Eurpoe that we now know as France, Germany, Switzerland, Holland, Belgium and a great part of Italy into a period of enlightenment. He revived teaching, bringing public schools to France and educating the common people.

Color

Meaning of Belt

Name of Form

Number of Moves

Meaning of Form

Solid Green

Signifies the plant's growth as the TaeKwonDo skill begins to develop.

Do-San

Do-San is the pen name of the patriot Ahn-Chang Ho (1876-1938) who devoted his life to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement. In European history we think of Aleuin of York (735-804 A.D.), an eminent educator, scholar and theologian. During the reign of Charlemagne, Aleuin collected books and scrolls from all over Europe. The distribution of handwritten reproductions of these manuscripts laid the foundation for the great intellectual Renaissance three centuries later. His motto was disce ut doceas, learn in order to teach.

Solid Blue

Signifies the water which nourishes the plant as it grows, as knowledge of TaeKwonDo nourishes technical and artistic development.

Won-Hyo

Won-Hyo was the noted monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty of Korea in 868 A.D. From Greek Mythology we think of Prometheus, the wisest of the Titans, who stole fire from Mount Olympus and gave it to man to light the darkness of night, though he knew he'd be punished, Prometheus's action was based on compassion toward humanity.

Solid Red

Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.

Choon-Moo

Choon-Moo was Korean Admiral Hi-Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship, Kobukson, in 1592, the precursor of the modern day submarine. This pattern ends with a left hand attack to symbolize his regrettable death before achieving his full potential, having been restrained by his loyalty to the king. From European history we recall the work done by Marie and Pierre Curie, whose systematic investigation of uranium rays contributed greatly to the science of physics, the discovery of radium and polonium and the development of the x-ray machine. They won the Nobel prize for physics in 1903 and after Pierre's death, Marie won the Nobel prize for chemistry in 1911.

Solid Black

The opposite of white, signifying the maturity and proficiency of mastering the BASICS of TaeKwonDo

Gwang-Gae

Gwang-Gae is named after the famous Gwang-Gae-Toh-Wang the 19th king of the Koguryo dynasty who regained lost territories, including the greater part of Manchuria. The diagram represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory. The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 A.D., the year he came to the throne. From Native American Shoshone history, we remember Sacagewea, who from 1805 to 1806 led the Lewis and Clark expedition, serving as guide and translator. Aside from the hardships of having no communications with any settlements or any way to help or supplies, Sacagawea started the journey pregnant, gave birth and finished the journey of nearly 4000 miles carrying her son. Sacagawea's involvement made possible the successful completion of the Lewis and Clark expedition, solidfying America's expansion across the continent.

The meaning of each belt.

origine of the colours