Tae kwon do is a martial art form developed in Korea. The art form offers different belt colors that distinguish skill levels among students. If you're a tae kwon do student, you'll be required to know these belt colors as well as their significance in the developmental stages of your training and skills. Different tae kwon do organizations and associations use slightly different belt color systems.
Colors
Belts awarded throughout various stages of your tae kwon do training signify the level of training and skills you have achieved. Colored belts in tae kwon do range from a beginner white to yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red and black. For each belt, the student must learn certain patterns called poomse, as well as kicks, strikes and blocks.
Significance
Belt colors in tae kwon do mean different things. For example, the white belt stands for innocence or a novice with no experience in the art form. The yellow belt stands for the earth, upon which the novice sinks roots as he learns basic moves. As you advance, the orange belt signifies fall or autumn as you gain knowledge and maturity in the art form. Intermediate students may wear a blue belt, which stands for the sky, meaning the student is reaching for and attaining higher goals in the learning process. The red belt, considered an advanced belt, stands for caution or danger, as at this stage the student has learned and reached higher standards and skills, as well as self-control in using the art for self-defense.
Variations
Belt colors may differ, depending on the organization you attend. You may find your association or teacher utilizes solid belt colors with stripes that offer gradual advancement from one color to another. For example, a white belt may not advance immediately to a solid yellow belt, but instead receive a white belt with a stripe that signifies a halfway point between belts. In turn, the orange belt may have a yellow stripe, the blue belt may have a green stripe, the brown belt may have a blue stripe and so forth.
Testing
Testing for advancement from one belt color to another requires you to display your skills and memory in performing patterns, strikes, kicks and blocking moves. Sparring is also required, as is board breaking. In addition to displaying physical mastery over skills, you'll also be tested on the meaning, significance and patterns involved in different belts.
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