Our Tang Soo Do Gup belt system, in its progression from white to black, represents the cycle of the seasons. Each color stands for a specific stage of achievement. In this way, we realize an essential concept of oriental philosophy – that which is born must grow, reach maturity, die, and leave behind the seeds of a new birth.

White

Beginner’s belt color. White represents a primitive stage of achievement; thus, the seed as it lies dormant beneath the snows of winter.

Orange

Orange represents new growth which appears in spring. Our Tang Soo Do knowledge begins to reveal itself.

Green

Green represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives.

Brown

Brown represents power, stability, agility, weight, and wisdom. This is a stabilizing stage, both mentally and physically, and is analogous to the plants which curtail their growth and prepare to flower in late summer.

Red

Red represents blood, life, energy, attention, and control. The student’s power and techniques begin to bloom and ripen.

Dark Blue

Dark Blue represents maturity, respect, and honor. Our dark blue belt is given to the Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt Candidate). The student must now prepare mand and body for the final step needed to attain Black Belt.

Black

Black represents mastery, calmness, dignity, and sincerity. Black Blet is the final stage of the previous life cycle. Thus we see that it is not only the end of one stage but, more importantly, the beginning of a path which leads up through the ranks of the higher Black Belts to true mastery.