taekwondo belts here's how the taekwondo belt colors work

This section of our site is about taekwondo belts

• We describe different taekwondo colored belt systems.
• We explain the meanings of the tkd belt colors.
• We give great tips to help you get through taekwondo belt tests or gradings.
• And we talk about the journey to your taekwondo black belt.

taekwondo belt colors

Everyone starts out as a taekwondo white belt. Even your instructor was a white belt once!

You don't usually have to do a test to get a white belt. It's part of your first taekwondo uniform or Dobok.

Your white belt symbolizes innocence. It's the first step on your taekwondo journey.

Great tips for taekwondo white belt students are here.

Most often your next taekwondo belt is yellow belt.

Often there are 2 belt tests to get from white belt to yellow belt.

The first grading gives you a yellow stripe or tag on your white belt.

This is half-way to yellow belt. Then the second grading gives you a full yellow belt.

Your yellow belt represents the earth. In which the roots of your taekwondo form. Ready for a beautiful plant to grow.

If you are working towards your taekwondo yellow belt we've done a page just for you!

The next of the taekwondo belt colors is usually green belt . Again there are often 2 gradings to green belt. You get a green stripe on your yellow belt at the half-way stage.

The green color represents the plant (your taekwondo) starting to grow from the earth.

Here's help if you are working towards your taekwondo green belt.

Next is usually taekwondo blue belt . Often you get a blue stripe on your green belt at the half way stage.

Your blue belt represents the sky or heaven. Your taekwondo skills are growing strong.

Like a tall plant or tree growing up towards the blue sky.

If you are working towards your taekwondo blue belt here's some great tips to help you reach for the sky!

The next of the taekwondo belts is taekwondo red belt . Again with a red stripe worn between blue belt and red belt.

Red is for danger.

At this stage the student is becoming very skilled in their taekwondo. But may have more to learn about self-control.

And finally there's taekwondo black belt . Again there's a grade in between black and red. Taekwondo black stripe .

A black belt represents maturity.

A good level of skill in taekwondo.

And rejection of darkness and fear.

getting your next taekwondo belt

To move from taekwondo white belt to the next grade. And on to each of the tkd belts after that.

You take a taekwondo belt test or grading. This is like an exam. To see if you are ready to wear the next belt.

You are assessed on taekwondo basics. Taekwondo patterns or poomse. Taekwondo sparring. Self defense. Your fitness. Etiquette. And your Spirit.

If that sounds like a lot. Well it is.

But....

....If you are taking your first grading. It's good to remember that you are not expected to do what a taekwondo black belt can do. You are only expected to reach a basic level.

And if your instructor has put you in for the grading. Then he or she thinks you are ready.

So we think the best approach is just to go out there.

Do your best.

Try to relax.

And try to enjoy it!

Here's some tkd belt test tips to help you through.

Have you heard the expression kup Grade?

It means a taekwondo colored belt.

So students wearing colored belts like white, yellow, green, blue or red. Are kup grade students.

And they are working towards their taekwondo black belt.

A taekwondo student wearing a white belt is a 10th kup student.

And a student one grade away from black belt is known as a 1st kup.

A student wearing a taekwondo black belt is known as a Dan grade if they are over 16 years. Or a poome grade if they are under 16 years.

There are grades of black belts starting at 1st Dan and heading towards 9th Dan.

how long to taekwondo black belt?

When people start training they often want to know how long?

How long to yellow belt? How long to red belt?

When will I be a black belt?

We think that with taekwondo...

...there is no rush!

It's important to take your time. Enjoy the journey. Make sure you are ready for the next stage.

It's better to be a good green belt than a poor blue belt.

We've seen people push really hard. Train 5 or 6 times a week.

And double grade. And then drop out. Because they couldn't sustain that pace.

We think we have the rest of our lives to enjoy our taekwondo.

And we want to keep enjoying the benefits of our training for as long as we can.

So we say.

Don't worry if someone is pushing ahead. And grading faster than you.

It doesn't matter.

It's about you.

And your training.

And the benefits that you enjoy. As you work through the taekwondo belts.

And so....

....How long to black belt?

As long as it takes you!

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