Tae kwon do, like karate and most other forms of martial arts, relies on a belt system to signify your growth in the martial arts system. Although many schools add or take away belt colors or internal rankings within a belt color, most martial arts follow a general pattern of belt color rankings. This allows students training in different styles to compete with one another based on similar belt colors and ranks.
The Early Belts
The first belt you'll receive when you pick up your uniform is the white belt. This color signifies that you're a beginner in tae kwon do. The white belt is followed by a yellow belt, which can have up to three levels. Some martial arts schools include an orange belt after the yellow belt, while others simply include an additional level before you leave the yellow belt.
The Intermediate Belt Ranks
After you successfully test for the next belt, you will probably earn a green belt. Some martial arts schools have three levels to green belt, while others have only two levels and then move their students to either a blue belt or a purple belt. This level is the intermediate level in your martial arts training, often representing the exact middle of your journey to black belt.
The Advanced Belts
You might wear your blue or green belt for an extended period before you successfully test for the next rank. This is one of the more difficult tests because you are moving from an intermediate student to a more advanced -- or "upper belt" -- rank. Some tae kwon do systems use the brown belt as the next rank, while most of the systems out there today follow the green belt with the red belt. Two or more levels of red belt will exist depending on your school, and after you pass this rank, you will be given your brown belt. If your school uses an alternate ranking system, you will move from brown belt to red belt. Now the fun begins.
The Black Belt
Because of the legendary status of the black belt, many beginning students see a black belt as the end of their training. It represents what they're working for. The true meaning of a black belt is that you've mastered the basics of tae kwon do and are now ready to begin truly learning about the martial art. Some people who achieve this rank might think they're through training in tae kwon do, while for others it's simply the beginning of their real journey.
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