Belt and Ranking System

The belts are the progressive order of rank that openly display the level of experience that each practitioner has earned through instruction, study, application and training. The Master Instructor uses stripes of adhesive tape to adorn the belts of the students as an incentive to learn our Taekwondo Life Skills including Respect, Self Control, Focus, Perseverance, Confidence, Cooperation, Goal Setting, and Leadership. At the end of class the students are asked the word of the week and its meaning. If they respond to it correctly they receive a stripe on their belt.

The Ranks of Kim’s Martial Arts School:

  • 9th Gup : White Belt
  • 9th Gup : White with Yellow Stripe for Little Ninjas Program Only (3-4 year olds)
  • 8th Gup : Yellow Belt
  • 7th Gup : Orange Belt and Orange Senior Belt
  • 6th Gup : Green Belt and Green Senior Belt
  • 5th Gup : Blue Belt and Blue Senior Belt
  • 4th Gup : Purple Belt and Purple Senior Belt
  • 3rd Gup : Brown Belt and Brown Senior Belt
  • 2nd Gup : Red Belt and Red Senior Belt
  • 1st Gup : Red/Black Belt with Red Half on top (Deputy Black Belt has Red/Black Belt with Black on Top)
  • 1st Dan : Black Belt with White Embroidery
  • 2nd Dan : Black Belt with Red Embroidery
  • 3rd Dan : Black Belt with Gold Embroidery
  • 4th Dan : Black Belt with Red Line Down Middle of Belt. Master Level
  • 5th Dan : Black Belt with Red Line down Middle of Belt. Master Level
  • 6th Dan : Black Belt with Gold Line down Middle of Belt. Senior Master Level
  • 7th Dan : Black Belt with Blue Line down Middle of Belt. GrandMaster Level