Belt System

Rank is awarded after promotional testing, done by invitation offered to each student according to his or her individual progress. Testing occurs quarterly.

Belt colors can be very confusing, as they are not consistent between styles (i.e. Tang Soo Do, Kung fu, Tae Kwon Do), or even within styles (there are several different Tang Soo Do federations). The belt colors are:

White represents a primitive stage, ready to learn and grow. It is the dormant stage of a new member.	Beginner	10th Gup
		9th Gup
Purple represents new growth, like the spring season. The member has new knowledge to grow and a sense of Tang Soo Do direction is developed.	Advanced Beginner	8th Gup
		7th Gup
Green represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives, a sense of pride has come over the member.	Intermediate	6th Gup
		5th Gup
		4th Gup
Red represents power, stability, agility, weight and wisdom. This is like the high school years. The member begins to flower and bloom.	Advanced	3rd Gup
		2nd Gup
		1st Gup
Navy Blue represents maturity, respect, & honor. It is the completion of a goal or one stage of life. The mind is clear and calm. The body is a machine that can move and react in a split second.	Black Belt 1st-3rd "degree"	1st Dan
		2nd Dan
		3rd Dan
Navy Blue w/Red is a new pathway to higher ranks of black belt. It is graduating from high school and going to college to become a Master.	Master 4th-6th "degree"	4th Dan
		5th Dan
		6th Dan
	Senior Master 7th-8th "degree"	7th Dan
		8th Dan