Tae Kwon Do Rankings

The International Tae Kwon-Do Federation has set up a  ranking system, which comprise of six color belts. The belt colors are white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.

What do the belt colours represent?

White  – Represents the innocence of students at the start of the foundation level who has no experience of Tae Kwon Do.

Yellow  - Represents the earth from which a plant evolves and takes root. This symbolises the evolutionary path of Tae Kwon Do.

Green  – Represents the continuous growth of knowledge and skill as the Tae Kwon-Do skills begin to develop.

Blue  - Represents the Heavenly sky towards which the plant grows and matures into a tall. This signifies the continuous progression of Tae Kwon Do.

Red  - Represents Danger, it signifies the use of control the student must develop, warning the opponent to keep their distance.

Black  – This is the opposite of white, symbolising the maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon-Do, it also represents the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear. 

Promotion to Black belt

If you are going to progress up the Tae Kwon Do ranking system, you must carry out a test of all your skills and knowledge learnt during your previous levels.

Once you have passed these tests you progress up the ranks. These tests are only carried out up to the 7th dan.

If you wish to progress above the 7th dan, you could be awarded this with the consent of a promotion committee.

Physical testing is not required as a master responsibilities and physical development of students on longer being centred.

Decision to be warded 9th dan (the highest) will only be made by the special committee through examination and reaches by unanimous consent. 

The practitioners must stay at a black belt degree for a minimum time before being promoted to the next level:  

1st dan: minimum 18 months

 2nd dan: minimum 2 years 

 3rd dan: minimum 3 years 

4th dan: minimum 4 years

5th dan: minimum 5 years

6th dan: minimum 6 years

7th dan: minimum 7 years

8th dan: minimum 8 years

9th dan

Tae Kwon Do Rankings - Progression to 9th dan