Franklin Tae Kwon Do Academy

Member Information

Color Belt Rank Facts (Color, Form, Character Word)

10th Gup

  • White Belt: Lack of color, signifying purity and innocence. Foundation for the basic understanding of knowledge of TaeKwonDo is established.
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  • Chon Ji: Means literally "the Heaven and Earth".  It is, in the Orient, interpreted as the creation of the world or the beginning of human history; therefore, it is the initial pattern practiced by the beginner.  This pattern consists of two similar parts; one to represent the Heaven and the other, the Earth.
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  • Respect: Differential regard for those more advanced in the study of TaeKwonDo, its tenets, and those with more life experience.

9th Gup

  • Yellow Belt: The color of the rising sun, which causes newly sown seeds to germinate and begin to grow.
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  • Dan Gun: Dan Gun is named after the holy Dan-Gun, the legendary founder of Korea, in the year 2333 B.C.
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  • Self Discipline: Training and control of oneself and one's conduct, usually for personal improvement.

8th Gup

  • Orange Belt: The color of the sun, deepening in color giving its energy to the new growth.
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  • Do San: Do San is the pseudonym of the patriot Ahn Chang Ho (1876-1938).  The 24 movements represent his entire life, which he devoted to furthering the education of Korea and its independence movement.
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  • Self Control: The keeping of one's thoughts, actions, and emotions to oneself.

7th Gup

  • Green Belt: The color of growing things driving upward.
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  • Won-Hyo: Won-Hyo was the noted Monk who introduced Buddhism to the Silla Dynasty in the year 686 A.D.
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  • Courtesy: Polite behavior towards others.

6th Gup

  • Purple Belt: The color of the stormy sky to signify awareness and caution.
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  • Yul-Gok: Yul-Gok is the pseudonym of the great philosopher and scholar Yi (1536-1584), nicknamed the "Confucius of Korea".  The 38 movements of this pattern refer to his birthplace on the 38th latitude and the (+) diagram represents scholar.
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  • Indomitable Spirit: Unconquerable spirit under all circumstances.

5th Gup

  • Blue Belt: The color the of the sky towards which growing things are reaching.
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  • Joong-Gun: Joong-Gun is named after the patriot Ahn Joong-Gun who assassinated Hiro-Bumi Ito, the first Japanese Governor-General of Korea, known as the man who played the leading part in the Korea-Japan merger.  The 32 movements represent Ahn Joong-Gun's age when he was executed at Lui-shung prison (1910).
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  • Courage: The state or quality of mind, or spirit, that enables one to face danger or fear with confidence.

4th Gup

  • Brown Belt: The color of the earth in which growing things are rooted.
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  • Toi-Gye: Toi-Gye is the pen name of the noted scholar Yi Hwang (16th Century), and authority on Neo-Confucianism.  The 37 movements refer to his birth place on the 37th latitude.  The diagram (+) represents "scholar".
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  • Teamwork: Cooperation within a group for the benefit of all group members.

3rd Gup

  • Brown-Red Belt: The color of the earth in which growing things are rooted.
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  • Hwa-Rang: Hwa-Rang is named after the Hwa-Rang youth group which originated in the Silla Dynasty in the early 7th century.  The 29 movements refer to the 29th infantry division where TaeKwonDo developed into maturity.
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  • Loyalty: Allegiance, as to a nation, family, or cause.

2nd Gup

  • Red Belt: The color of blood, the essential force of life.
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  • Choong-Moo: Choong-Moo is the name given to the great Admiral Yi Sun-Sin of the Yi Dynasty.  He was reputed to have invented the 1st armored battleship (Kobukson) in 1592.  It is said to be the precursor to the present day submarine.  This pattern ends with a left hand attack to symbolize his regrettable death, having no chance to show his unrestrained potential.
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  • Leadership: The ability to inspire others to follow your example.

Bodan 1st Gup

  • Red-Black Belt: The balance of red and black. Student must display physical, mental, as well as emotional control of technique. Results of which create a balance of one's self and of the warrior within.
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  • Kwang-Gae: Kwang-Gae is named after the famous Kwang-Gae Toh-Wang, the 19th king of the Ko-Ku-Ryo Dynasty, who regained all the lost territories including the greater part of Manchuria.  The (+) diagram represents the expansion and recovery of lost territory.  The 39 movements refer to the first two figures of 391 A.D., the year he came to the throne.
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  • Victory: Success in a struggle against difficulties or an obstacle no matter the size.