Ranks
The ITF ranking system consists of six solid color belts; white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.
Coloured belt ranks are defined as follows (from lowest to highest rank):
| Grade Level | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| 10th kup | White - Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do. | |
| 9th kup | White with yellow tag | |
| 8th kup | Yellow - Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid. | |
| 7th kup | Yellow with green tag | |
| 6th kup | Green - Signifies the plant's growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop. | |
| 5th kup | Green with blue tag | |
| 4th kup | Blue - Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses. | |
| 3rd kup | Blue with red tag | |
| 2nd kup | Red - Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away. | |
| 1st kup | Red with black tag | |
| 1st dan | Black - Opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do; also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear. | |
| 2nd dan | Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 2 years) | |
| 3rd dan | Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 3 years) | |
| 4th dan | International Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 4 years). At this point, a person may become a "SaBum-Nim" | |
| 5th dan | Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 5 years) | |
| 6th dan | Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 6 years) | |
| 7th dan | Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 7 years) | |
| 8th dan | Senior Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 8 years) | |
| 9th dan | Grand Master |
In certain strains of ITF clubs, Kup is spelled "Gup".
The reason for nine black belt degrees is that the number nine is not only the highest of the single-digit numbers, but also is the number of three multiplied by three. In the Orient, three is one of the more esteemed numbers. The Chinese character for 3 is three horizontal lines, one above the other. The bottom line represents earth; the middle line represents mortals; the upper line represents heaven. It was believed that a man who could unite the three realms in himself, would aspire or be reborn into a king.
Read more about this topic: International Taekwon-Do Federation
Famous quotes containing the word ranks:
“It is among the ranks of school-age children, those six- to twelve-year-olds who once avidly filled their free moments with childhood play, that the greatest change is evident. In the place of traditional, sometimes ancient childhood games that were still popular a generation ago, in the place of fantasy and make- believe play . . . today’s children have substituted television viewing and, most recently, video games.”
—Marie Winn (20th century)
“It has lately been drawn to your correspondent’s attention that, at social gatherings, she is not the human magnet she would be. Indeed, it turns out that as a source of entertainment, conviviality, and good fun, she ranks somewhere between a sprig of parsley and a single ice- skate. It would appear, from the actions of the assembled guests, that she is about as hot company as a night nurse.”
—Dorothy Parker (1893–1967)
“A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845)