Belt Meaning
White Belt
White Belt Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
Yellow Belt
Yellow Belt Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid.
Green Belt
Green Belt Signifies the plant's growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.
Blue Belt
Blue Belt Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
Red Belt
Red Belt Signifies Danger, cautioning the the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
Black Belt
Black Belt Opposite of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do, also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.
The above colours have not been randomly chosen and are in fact, steeped in Korean tradition. The colours of Black, Red and Blue denote the various levels of hierarchy during the Koguryo and Silla Dynasties in Korea.
The degrees of Black Belt are divided into three distinct classes. The 1st through 3rd degree are considered the novice stages of Black Belt. Students are still merely beginners in comparison to higher degrees.
At 4th degree, the student crosses the threshold of puberty and enters the expert class.
7th to 8th is composed of the Taekwon-Do Masters - the elite who fully understand all the particulars of Taekwon-Do, mental and physical with the 9th degree signifying the pinnacle of what is usually a life time of dedication to the art.
A black belt with a white ribbon running the length of it on one side indicates a junior (under 16 yrs.) Black Belt exponent.