Taekwondo Belt System Explained: Ranking Belts, Colours, and Levels

Taekwondo isn’t just about flashy kicks—it’s a journey of discipline, skill, and self-improvement. At the heart of this journey lies the taekwondo belt system, a structured ranking framework that guides students from novice to master. But what do the taekwondo belt colours mean? How do the taekwondo ranking belts progress? And what are the taekwondo belt levels that students must navigate?

Let’s break it all down!

Understanding the Taekwondo Belt Systems

The taekwondo belt system is a visual roadmap of a student’s growth in skill, knowledge, and character. Each of the taekwondo belt colours represents a stage in the martial artist’s journey, marking their evolution from a complete beginner to an experienced practitioner.

Standardised by the Korea Taekwondo Association in the 1960s, the taekwondo ranking belts have become a universal language in martial arts, allowing students worldwide to measure their progress in a structured way (1). The taekwondo belt system is not just about physical techniques; it embodies the values of perseverance, discipline, and respect.

Taekwondo Belt Colours and Their Symbolism

The taekwondo belt colours aren’t just for show—they symbolise the practitioner’s progress, both physically and mentally.

White Belt

Represents a blank slate, innocence, and an eagerness to learn. The journey through the taekwondo belt system starts here.

Yellow Belt

Signifies the first rays of sunlight on earth, the foundations from where seeds will sprout. This marks the initial knowledge and understanding of taekwondo principles. The taekwondo ranking belts begin to take shape.

Blue Belt

Symbolises the sky and the vast knowledge yet to be explored as skills grow, like a tree grows upwards. Students at this level of the taekwondo belt system gain deeper insights into their abilities.

Red Belt

A warning sign of danger and representing the sun. Students have gained strength but must master self-control. The transition to the final stages of the taekwondo ranking belts is near.

Cho Dan (Red and Black)

A transitional belt before achieving black belt. It signifies readiness for the final steps toward mastery and control.

Black Belt

Not an endpoint but a new beginning. Achieving a black belt in the taekwondo belt system means a commitment to lifelong learning. The opposite of white and represents the athlete’s ability to stand up to fear and darkness (2).

Each of these taekwondo belt colours carries deep meaning, reflecting the increasing skill, responsibility, and self-awareness of the student. While belt colours may vary slightly between clubs, moving through the taekwondo belt system requires dedication, patience, and the ability to demonstrate proficiency at each level (3).

For a video summary of the taekwondo belt system, watch here:

Advancing Through Taekwondo Belt Levels

Progressing through the taekwondo belt levels isn’t just about showing up to class. It requires hard work, perseverance, and mastery of increasingly difficult skills.

Testing for a new belt often includes:

Demonstrating advanced techniques and poomsae (forms)
Breaking boards to prove power and accuracy
Sparring to test combat readiness
Showing discipline, respect, and understanding of taekwondo philosophy

Many schools, including Mozhdeh Martial Arts, use a stripe system within the taekwondo belt system to track small achievements before the next major promotion. This approach keeps students motivated as they work their way through the taekwondo belt levels.

Beyond Black Belt: The Dan Ranks

Earning a black belt is a huge milestone, but the taekwondo belt system doesn’t stop there. The black belt itself has multiple taekwondo belt levels, known as dan ranks. These range from 1st dan to 9th dan.

1st - 3rd dan are considered to be national instructors
4th - 6th dan are considered to be international instructors
7th dan are considered to be junior master instructors
8th dan are considered to be senior master instructors
9th dan are considered to be grand masters

Advancing through these taekwondo ranking belts takes years of training, teaching, and contributions to the taekwondo community. The higher the dan rank, the more leadership and knowledge a practitioner is expected to display (4).

Final Thoughts on Taekwondo Ranking Belts

The taekwondo belt system is more than just a ranking method—it’s a journey of growth, discipline, and mastery. Understanding the meaning behind the taekwondo belt colours, the significance of the taekwondo ranking belts, and the challenges of the taekwondo belt levels can help students appreciate every step of their martial arts path.

Ready to train with the best? Take your skills to the next level at Mozhdeh Martial Arts and start your journey today!

References

Kang, S., & Lee, Y. (2017). The Philosophy of Taekwondo: Tradition and Innovation. Korean Martial Arts Press.
International Taekwondo Federation. (2019). Taekwondo: Rules and Regulations. ITF Publishing.
Choi, H. H. (2003). Taekwondo: The Art of Self-Defense. Seoul: International Taekwondo Federation.
The Taekwondo Center. (n.d.). Dan ranks. The Taekwondo Center. https://thetkdcenter.com/466-2/