|
The Belt Ranking System for Black Belt of Karate The system of colors for belt ranks may vary among different Tang Soo Do schools and organizations, yet there are typically 10 Gup levels and 10 Dan levels. The Dan level is what is generally known as Black Belt, although in traditional Tang Soo Do we use the color Midnight Blue instead. The philosophy behind this is that since belt colors get darker with time and experience, we will always have more to learn, and so our belt can get darker. In the martial arts, the level of Black Belt is not an end in itself, but a place where the real learning begins. | | 
| WHITE: The beginner's belt color. White represents a primitive stage of development. White also symbolizes purity. Thus, a seed as it lies dormant beneath the snows of winter. | | 
| YELLOW: Yellow is the first real stage of growth and development, like the new growth that appears in spring. At this level, a student first begins to reveal their newfound knowledge. | | 
| ORANGE# 2 & 1: At orange belt, students should have a basic understanding of beginning techniques. Orange represents the knowledge that begins to emerge like the budding of a young plant in spring. | | 
| GREEN# 3, 2 & 1: Green represents the speedy development of youth as summer arrives. Students at this level are still continuing to grow in their knowledge and understanding of the art. | | 
| RED # 3, 2 & 1: Red represents blood, life, energy, attention, and control. The students power and techniques begin to bloom and ripen, as they begin to mature as martial artists. Now the student begins the preparation of mind and body for the final step needed to attain the rank of chodan. | | 
| BLUE #1st to 3rd Dan: Midnight blue belt (Black Belt) represents maturity, respect, and honor. It symbolizes a mastery of basics, calmness, dignity, and sincerity. This level is next to the final stage of one life cycle and the beginning of the next. Thus, it is not the end of a students growth, but rather symbolizes a willingness and dedication to the students further training in the martial arts. BLUE # 4th to 9th Dan: Midnight blue belt with Red Stripe back middle of Belt (Master Belt) represents maturity, respect, and honor. It symbolizes a mastery of Advance, calmness, dignity, and sincerity. This level is the final stage of one life cycle and the beginning of the next. Thus, it is not the end of a students growth, but rather symbolizes a willingness and dedication to the students further training in the martial arts. The Philosophy of the Midnight Blue Belt Many traditional Tang Soo Do/Soo Bahk Do schools use a dark midnight blue colored belt for Dan ranks, rather than the more common black belt. There are several reasons for this. Historically, it is thought that the Hwa Rang Dan warriors of ancient Korean wore a very similar outfit to the uniform that we wear today, which was trimmed in a dark blue. We wear midnight blue to reflect the traditional Korean heritage of our art. Philosophically, black is the darkest color possible, symbolizing death or an ending. Midnight blue symbolizes the knowledge which has been absorbed, but it is not so dark that it cannot absorb more color (knowledge). Thus, the midnight blue belt is seen only as a new beginning, where a student may continue to learn and refine their technique, and begin to gain greater insight into their art. The solid midnight blue belt is worn for 1st thru 3rd dans, with white or gold stripes on the left end of the belt to indicate rank. For 4th dan (master level) and above, a midnight blue belt with a red stripe all the way through the center is worn. | | How to Tie Your Tang Soo Do Belt | 
1. Find the center of your belt. Place it on the front of your abdomen. If the belt has rank stripes they should be on the right side as you begin. | 
2. Wrap the belt around your waist, bringing both ends back to the front. | | 
3. Cross the left end of the belt over the right end. | 
4. Tuck this end under the portion which is already around your waist. Pull the belt snug around your waist. | | 
5. Now, cross the right end over the left end. | 
6. Bring the end on top underneath the other end of the belt and loop it through. | | 
7. Pull the belt snug around your waist. The ends of the belt should be even, and the rank stripes (if any) should end up on the left end of the belt. | Black Belt of Karate Call today: (403) 284-2251 or Email: gmcarltate@shaw.ca 
|
|
