White Belt
The student has no knowledge of Taekwondo and begins with a clean slate.

Purple Belt
The beginner student sees the beauty of the art of Taekwondo but has not yet experienced the power
of the technique.

Yellow Belt
The student begins to understand the basics of Taekwondo.

Orange Belt
The student's technique is developing power. The components of the basic techniques are
beginning to work in unison.

Green Belt
Having passed the mid-way point, the student focuses his/her energy upward toward black belt.

Blue Belt
The student has crossed over into a higher level
of Taekwondo. The techniques and level of gyeo-roo-gi (sparring)
becomes more difficult.

Red Belt
The first day (the period of time from white belt to red belt) of growth is coming to an end. The physical skill has been
developed but lacks control; therefore, physical and mental discipline must now be achieved.

Red/Black Belt
The previous day has ended, giving way to a new dawn. The student must begin a new phase of training; that of being
a black belt.

Black Belt
The color black is created when all the colors of the light spectrum have been absorbed into an object.
 That object has "taken control" of the colors and retained them. If one color was to "escape", the object would
no longer be black but would appear as that color. The student has mastered the nine geup (grades) of Taekwondo.
He/she has "absorbed" all the   knowledge of the color ranks and overcome or "mastered" that level or training.