MARKET DEEPING TANG SOO DO
Official WTSDA Belt System
White
Represents a primitive stage of achievement. Thus, the seed as it lies dormant beneath the snows of winter.
10th Gup
9th Gup
Orange
Represents new growth which appears in spring. Our Tang Soo Do knowledge begins to reveal itself.
8th Gup
7th Gup
Green
Represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives.
6th Gup
5th Gup
Brown
Represents power, stability, agility, weight and wisdom. This stabilizing stage, both mentally and physically, analogous to the plants which curtail their growth and prepare to flower in late summer.
4th Gup
3rd Gup
Red
Represents blood, life, energy, attention and control. The students power and techniques begin to bloom and ripen.
2nd Gup
1st Gup
Blue
Represents maturity, respect and honour. Our dark blue belt is given to the Cho Dan Bo (Black Belt candidate). He/she must now prepare mind and body for the final step needed to attain Black Belt.
Cho Dan Bo
Black
Black – Represents mastery, calmness, dignity and sincerity. Black Belt is the final stage of one cycle and the beginning of the next. Thus we see that it is not only one stage but, more importantly, the beginning of a path which leads up through the ranks of the higher black belts to true mastery.
1st Dan - Cho Dan
2nd Dan - E Dan
3rd Dan - Sam Dan
4th Dan - Sah Dan
Master
4th Dan, Master - Sah Dan
5th Dan, Master - Oh Dan
6th Dan, Master - Yuk Dan
7th Dan, Master - Chil Dan
8th Dan, Grandmaster - Pal Dan
9th Dan, Grandmaster - Ku Dan
