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:
“Every woman who vacates a place in the teachers’ ranks and enters an unusual line of work, does two excellent things: she makes room for someone waiting for a place and helps to open a new vocation for herself and other women.”
—Frances E. Willard (1839–1898)
“Among the best traitors Ireland has ever had, Mother Church ranks at the very top, a massive obstacle in the path to equality and freedom. She has been a force for conservatism, not on the basis of preserving Catholic doctrine or preventing the corruption of her children, but simply to ward off threats to her own security and influence.”
—Bernadette Devlin (b. 1947)
“A comfortable house is a great source of happiness. It ranks immediately after health and a good conscience.”
—Sydney Smith (1771–1845)