Ranks

The ITF ranking system consists of six solid color belts; white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black.

Colored belt ranks are defined as follows (from lowest to highest rank):

	Grade Level	Description
	10th kup	White - Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.
	9th kup	White with yellow tag
	8th kup	Yellow - Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid.
	7th kup	Yellow with green tag
	6th kup	Green - Signifies the plant's growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop.
	5th kup	Green with blue tag
	4th kup	Blue - Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
	3rd kup	Blue with red tag
	2nd kup	Red - Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
	1st kup	Red with black tag
	1st dan	Black - Opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do; also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.
	2nd dan	Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 2 years)
	3rd dan	Assistant Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 3 years)
	4th dan	International Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 4 years). At this point, a person may become a "SaBum-Nim"
	5th dan	Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 5 years)
	6th dan	Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 6 years)
	7th dan	Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 7 years)
	8th dan	Senior Master Instructor (must remain at this rank at least 8 years)
	9th dan	Grand Master



The reason for nine black belt degrees is that the number nine is not only the highest of the single-digit numbers, but also is the number of three multiplied by three.

In the Orient, three is one of the more esteemed numbers.

The Chinese character for 3 is three horizontal lines, one above the other.

The bottom line represents earth; the middle line represents mortals; the upper line represents heaven.

It was believed that a man who could unite the three realms in himself, would aspire or be reborn into a king.