TANG SOO DO BELT SYSTEM

With its progression from white to black, the Tang Soo Do Belt System represents the cycle of the seasons. Each color stands for a specific level of achievement.

GUP LEVELS                                   DAN LEVELS

GUP LEVELS

Beginner: White

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

9^th Gup:  Yellow

8^th Gup:  Orange, 7^th Gup:  Orange with stripe

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

6^th Gup:  Green,  5^th Gup:  Green with stripe

Green represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives.

4^th Gup:  Brown,  3^rd Gup:  Brown with stripe

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

2^nd Gup:  Red,  1^st Gup:  Red with stripe

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

Cho Dan Bo: Dark Blue (Black belt candidate)

Dark Blue represents maturity, respect, and honor. A Cho Dan Bo must prepare mind and body for the final step needed to attain Black Belt.

DAN LEVELS

Black represents mastery, calmness, dignity, and 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.

Cho Dan: 1^st Degree Black

E Dan:   2^nd Degree Black

Sum Dan: 3^rd Degree Black

Sa Dan:  4^th Degree Black (Master – SA BUM NIM)

Oh Dan:  5^th Degree Black (Senior Master – SA BUM NIM)

Yuk Dan: 6^th Degree Black (International Master)

Chil Dan:  7^th Degree Black (Senior International Master)

Pal Dan: 8^th Degree Black (Assistant Grand Master)

Ku Dan:  9^th Degree Black (Grand Master)