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The Belt System

 

Philosophy of the Belt System

Tang Soo Do belt system in its progress from white to black represents the cycle of the seasons. Each colour stands for a specific stage of achievement. In this way, we realize an essential concept of Oriental philosophy, i.e., that which is born must grow, reach maturity, die, and leave behind the seeds of a new birth.

 
Gup Grades

 
White
 
Beginners belt colour. White represents a primitive stage of achievement. Thus, the seed as it lies dormant beneath the snows of winter.

 

 

 

 
Orange
 
Orange represents new growth which appears in spring. Our Tang Soo Do knowledge begins to reveal itself.

 

 
Green
 
Green represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives.

 
 
 
Brown
 
Brown represents power, stability, agility, weight and wisdom. This is a stabilizing stage, both mentally and physically, analogous to the plants which curtail their growth and prepare to flower in late summer.

 
 
Red
 
Red represents blood, life, energy, attention and control. The student's power and techniques begin to bloom and ripen.

 
 
Dark Blue
 
Dark blue represents maturity, respect, honor. Our dark blue belt is given to the Cho Dan Bo or black belt candidate. He must now prepare mind and body to attain black belt.

 
Dan Grades  

 
Black
 
Black represents mastery, calmness, dignity, sincerity. Black belt is the final stage of one life cycle and the beginning of the next. Thus, we see that it is not only the end of one stage but, more importantly, the beginning of a path which leads up through the ranks of the higher black belts to true mastery.

 

Masters belt - the ultimate goal