RANKS AND BELTS IN TAE KWON DO
Student's rank in Tae Kwon Do is indicated by the color of their belt. Each
belt (until the black one) represents a Geup (8. - 1.). Yellow belt means that the student is an 8th Geup, blue belt -
6th Geup, and so on. The colors have symbolic meanings; stripe(s) indicates an intermediate level.
Various federations use different color schemes; here are the colors used by the
Yugoslav Tae Kwon Do Federation.
 | White belt indicates the innocence of the beginner |
 | Yellow belt represents the earth from which a plant grows under the heat of the Sun, as Tae Kwon Do skills develop |
 | Yellow belt with a blue stripe |
 | Blue belt represents the Heaven towards which the plant grows |
 | Blue belt with a red stripe |
 | Blue belt with two red stripes |
 | Red belt warns the student to master self - control, and opponents to stay away |
 | Red belt with a black stripe |
 | Red belt with two black stripes |
 | Black belt, the opposite of white, represents student's maturity and proficiency in Tae Kwon Do |
The first black belt degree is the 1st DAN. On this level, student's name and a single golden stripe are embroidered on the belt. Each successive degree (DAN) is indicated by an additional golden stripe.
The ultimate DAN rank is the 9th DAN.
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