Everything in Taekwon-Do has a meaning and a philosophy whether it is one of the many different styles of junbi stance, hidden movements in form or in this case color of the belts, nothing was done haphazardly or unplanned. The systematic arrangement of belt colors is in itself a life lesson for growth not only in Taekwon-Do, but for the student to grow in other endeavors of life. The belt is only an outward symbol of the attainment of certain knowledge. Knowledge is attained by degrees, small increments of measurement. Just as a thermometer measures the rise of temperature by degrees, so does Taekwon-Do measure the rise of the students knowledge by first colored belts in grades (Gup) then longer intervals of black belt in degrees (Dan).

The colors have not been arbitrarily selected, they are facts steeped in tradition.  The color of Black, Red, and Blue denote the various hierarchs during the Silla Dynasty.

WHITE BELT Heen Tti 10-9 Grade

YELLOW BELT Noran Tti 8-7 Grade

GREEN BELT Pooren Tti 6-5 Grade

BLUE BELT Parang Tti 4-3 Grade

RED BELT Hong Tti 2-1 Grade

BLACK BELT Huk Tti 1-9 Degree

A 1st Dan black belt is just beginning their journey of learning and teaching.