Grades

Students are examined throughout their training to progress through grades. Progress through grade is signified by coloured belts:

• 10^th kup - plain white belt
• 9^th kup - white belt yellow stripe
• 8^th kup - plain yellow belt
• 7^th kup - yellow belt green stripe
• 6^th kup - plain green belt
• 5^th kup - green belt blue stripe
• 4^th kup - plain blue belt
• 3^rd kup - blue belt red stripe
• 2^nd kup - plain red belt
• 1^st kup - red belt black stripe
• 1^st dan - plain belt black

The colours of the belts have the following significance:

• White: Signifies innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Tae Kwon Do.
• Yellow: Signifies earth, from which a plant sprouts and takes root as Tae Kwon Do foundation is being laid.
• Green: Signifies the plants growth as Tae Kwon Do skills develop.
• Blue: Signifies the heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training progresses.
• Red: Signifies danger, cautioning the opponent to stay away and the student to exercise control.
• Black: Is opposite to white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon Do. It also indicates the wearer’s imperviousness to darkness and fear.