Robinson's Taekwondo: Belt Rank System

Belt Rank System
for Songahm Taekwondo

In ATA Songahm Taekwondo, there are nine color belts each with it's own meaning, form, number of moves and philosophy that identifies the training level (rank) of the student. In addition, there are NINE levels of Black Belt in Songahm Taekwondo, with the highest level being 9th Degree Black Belt (which is Grand Master).

At Robinson's Taekwondo, each belt from purple through red are divided into two levels: recommended and decided. For colored belts (purple through red), the terms "recommended" and "decided" indicate the lower and higher levels of each belt color. ("Decided" is the higher level, and is denoted by a belt with a black stripe on the right tip.)

For 1st and 2nd degree black belts, however, the recommended rank is a probationary stage. Upon receiving a 1st degree or 2nd degree recommended, black belt students must test successfully for the decided rank within six months, or else they return to the previous rank. After further training, students are then allowed to retest for the recommended rank. There are no recommended levels for 3rd through 9th degree black belts.

These are the belt ranks, their Korean names, the number of moves in each form, and their symbolic meanings:

1st Degree Decided, 2nd Degree Recommended, 2nd Degree Decided, and 3rd through 9th Degree Black Belts:	(Shim-jung) Number of Moves: 81 All black belt students may wear 1" black trim on the bottom of the uniform.	"The tree has reached maturity and overcome darkness. It must now begin to plant seeds for the future." 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. The student has mastered the nine grades of Taekwondo. He/she has "absorbed" all the knowledge of the color ranks and has overcome or "mastered" those levels of training.

1st Degree Recommended Red/Black Belt:	(#2 Choong Jung EE-Jahng) Number of Moves: 46	"The dawn of a new day. The sun breaks through the darkness." 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.

1st Grade Decided Red Belt:		"The sun is setting. The first phase of growth has been accomplished." The first day (the period of time from White 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 be achieved.
1st Grade Recommended Red Belt:	(#2 Choong Jung EE-Jahng) Number of Moves: 46

2nd Grade Decided Brown Belt:		"The tree is firmly rooted in the earth." At this point the student has mastered the basics and developed deep roots in Taekwondo.
2nd Grade Recommended Brown Belt:	(#1 Choong Jung IL-Jahng) Number of Moves: 44

3rd Grade Decided Blue Belt:		"The tree reaches for the sky towards new heights." Having passed the mid-way point, the student focuses his/her energy upwards toward black belt.
3rd Grade Recommended Blue Belt:	(#2 IN WHA EE-Jahng) Number of Moves: 42

4th Grade Decided Purple Belt:		"Coming to the mountain. The tree is in mid-growth and now the path becomes steep." The student has crossed over into a higher level of Songahm Taekwondo. The techniques, forms, and level of sparring become more difficult, creating a "mountain" that must be overcome.
4th Grade Recommended Purple Belt:	(#1 IN WHA IL-Jahng) Number of Moves: 44

5th Grade Green Belt:	(#5 Songahm OH-Jahng) Number of Moves: 34	"The pine tree is beginning to develop and grow in strength." The student's technique is developing power. The components of the basic techniques are beginning to work in unison.

6th Grade Camouflage Belt:	(#4 Songahm SAH-Jahng) Number of Moves: 31	"The sapling is hidden amongst the taller pines and must now fight its way upwards." The student begin to realize his/her place in the world's largest martial art. The student must now begin to spar in order to promote in rank.

7th Grade Yellow Belt:	(#3 Songahm Sahm-Jahng ) Number of Moves: 28	"The seed is beginning to see the sunlight." The student begins to understand the basics of Taekwondo.

8th Grade Orange Belt:	(#2 Songahm EE-Jahng ) Number of Moves: 23	"The sun is beginning to rise. As with the morning's dawn, only the beauty of the sunrise is seen rather than the immense power." The beginner student sees the beauty of the art of Taekwondo but has not yet experienced the power in the technique.

9th Grade White Belt:	(#1 Songahm IL-Jahng ) Number of Moves: 18	"Pure and without knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo. As with the pine tree, the seed must now be planted and nourished to develop strong roots" . The student has no knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo and begins with a clean (pure) slate.