Belt System

The system of rank in taekwondo is denoted by various colours of the belts worn by its practitioners.

Black 9th Degree
Grand Master (Sasungnim)

Black 7th & 8th Degree
Master (Sahyunnim)

Black 4th, 5th & 6th Degree
International Instructor (Sabumnim)

Black 1st, 2nd & 3rd Degree
Novice (Boosabumnim)

Red Belt, Black Stripe
1st Gup

Red Belt
2nd Gup

Blue Belt, Red Stripe
3rd Gup

Blue Belt
4th Gup

Green Belt, Blue Stripe
5th Gup

Green Belt
6th Gup

Yellow Belt, Green Stripe
7th Gup

Yellow Belt
8th Gup

White Belt, Yellow Stripe
9th Gup

White Belt
10th Gup

The above colours have not been randomly chosen. They are in fact, steeped in tradition. 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 Degree through 3rd Degree is 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 Degree to 8th Degree is composed of the Taekwon-Do Masters – the elite who fully understand all the particulars of Taekwon-Do; mental and physical.

9th Degree signifies the pinnacle of what is usually a life time of dedication to the art.