A System of Growth, Guided by Nature
Once a belt holder achieves the black belt ranking, they enter the “Dan” system of ranking.
The Seed
of True Potential
White Belt
The first belt in your journey to Black Belt is White Belt.
- White is the color of purity, novice and hidden potential … the primitive stage of development.
- The absence of color signifies the student as a seed lying dormant under the Winter snow.
Emerging Growth,
New Light
Yellow Belt & Yellow Level 1
The second belt in your journey to Black Belt is Yellow Belt. The third belt level is Yellow Level 1 where a white stripe runs down the middle of the yellow belt.
- Yellow is the color of the warming sun … a period between Winter and Spring.
- Yellow symbolizes the initial growth, a new life emerging. This is when the Yellow belt student first begins to reveal their newfound knowledge.
Budding Knowledge, Rooted Skills
Orange Belt & Orange Level 1
The fourth belt level in your journey to Black Belt is Orange Belt. The fifth belt level is Orange Level 1 where a white stripe runs down the middle of the orange belt
- Orange represents the knowledge that begins to emerge like the budding of a young plant.
- Students have a basic knowledge of beginning techniques.
Peak Development Begins
Green Belt, Green 1 & Green 2
The sixth belt level in your journey to Black Belt is Green Belt. The seventh belt level is Green Level 1 where a white stripe runs down the middle of the green belt. The eighth belt level is Green Level 2 where a black stripe runs down the middle of the green belt.
Green represents Spring – the color of life and vigor. It symbolizes the flourishing of the plant. It is during this level that the most rapid development occurs.
The transition from Winter to Spring is also reflected in the student’s uniform with the addition of a Green trim.
Peak of Vitality
& Power
Red Belt through Red 2 Checkpoint 2
The journey to Black Belt includes three Red Belt levels. A solid Red Belt is followed by Red Level 1, which has a white center stripe, and Red Level 2, which has a black center stripe. Each level includes two black checkpoint stripes.
Red Belt represents the peak of summer, a time of energy and vitality. Just as a plant’s flowers bloom in full, a student’s techniques and power mature as a martial artist..
It is your final preparation before reaching black belt. Your uniform now reflects this transition from spring to summer with the addition of a red trim, marking the final stage of your journey before achieving mastery.
The Quest for Perfection
Cho Dan
Midnight Blue represents Autumn – it reflects maturity, calm, passiveness, and the time of harvest. It is the color of the clear evening sky. It symbolizes a goal that the plant strives to reach, yet may never attain – infinity and moving to perfection. It is this Quest for Perfection that epitomizes Tang Soo Do.
In Tang Soo Do, the final belt is midnight blue, not black, to reflect the philosophy that a student’s training is never truly complete. While black symbolizes finality and mastery, midnight blue can always be made darker.
This represents the ongoing journey of a Tang Soo Do black belt. A true master never stops learning and improving their mind, body, and spirit. The midnight blue belt marks the beginning of the “Dan” ranking system and a new path of continuous enlightenment.