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The four original
belt ranking colors of Tang Soo Do were
White, Green, Red, and Black/Midnight
Blue. These colors have a philosophical
meaning rooted within the deep
traditions of Tang Soo Do. There are
four components to the 4 symbolic belt
colors: an animal, a season, an element,
and a characteristic.
The colors of yellow and orange are
included in the white belt's meaning, as
indicated by the white trim on the
uniform. The belts yellow, orange, and
the added stripes are not traditional,
but were added as Tang Soo Do came to
the Americas to build the confidence of
students and cut the material load
making training less daunting for
children and adults alike.
Tang Soo Do ranks are symbolic of the
life of a plant, starting as a seed and
ending only to return as a seed again.
Our
ranking system here at MacDermott's Tang
Soo Do is as follows:
Black Belt
Black
Belts ranks in Tang Soo Do start at 1st
Degree Black Black and end at 9th Degree
Black Belt. There is no 10th or
"perfect" degree in Tang Soo Do. The
Black Belt rank denotes a certain
proficiency above the rest but never
perfection. Black Belt is not an end,
but a beginning. A beginning to new
concepts and philosophy's that elude
those of gup rank, and for some a
beginning to a new concept to
master...the Art of teaching. Dans at
MacDermott's TSD wear white uniforms
with the lapel, cuffs, and bottom
trimmed in Black. Upon achieving the
rank of Black Belt they are given a
ceremonial Black Belt consisting of
their name and number of Dan bars
embroidered in gold on the left end of
the belt and the name of our association
on the right of the belt.
Kyo Sa Nim(Certified Instructor)
Once
one has achieved the Rank of Black Belt
a new concept of rank and seniority is
introduced known as titles. A Black Belt
with no titles remains, a Black Belt,
while those with titles, Certified
Instructor, Master, and Grandmaster take
rank over those without. This is a small
gesture of appreciation towards those
who have earned and accepted their
titles and made Tang Soo Do, and most
importantly teaching it, a part of their
lives. The first title one can receive
is Kyo Sa Nim denoting a Certified
Instructor. Certified Instructors are
paid, Black Belt Instructors who teach
their own classes, run their own branch
of the school, promote students, and
help in the operations of the
organization.
Sah
Bum Nim(Master)
A
Master in the Art of Tang Soo Do is
considered to be 4th degree Black Belt
through 6th Degree Black Belt. It
denotes a certain proficiency in the Art
as well as a dedication to the Art and
exemplifies the giving of oneself that
is responsible of a true teacher. The
title of Master is also known in Korean
as Sah Bum Nim. Sah Bum Nim is noted as
the "teacher of teachers" as all Kyo Sa
Nims train under a Master Instructor.
Kwan Jang Nim(Grandmaster)
A
Grandmaster in the Art of Tang Soo Do is
most often considered to be 7th degree
Black Belt through 9th Degree Black
Belt(as there is not "10th" or "perfect"
degree in Tang Soo Do). Grandmaster is a
title that means the teacher of the
masters. It translates from the Korea
term for Grandmaster Kwan Jang Nim.
Grandmasters must have dedicated decades
upon decades to the Art, must have the
proficiency of and beyond a Master, and
must have had experience in running
their own school/organization.
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White Belt
Characteristic: New, Potential
White Belt is symbolic of a seed planted
in the ground. The seed has all the
potential in world but must take things
step by step to get there. White Belt
ranks are 10th, 9th, 8th, and 7th Gups.
This is symbolic by the white trim on
their uniform.
SEASON: Winter
 The
potential life hidden under snow is
enormous, much like the hidden potential
in a new student, a White Belt. White is
the color of the snow hiding all that is
possible below. Much like a white belts
actions, winter weather is inconsistent
and unpredictable. The trees are bare
and almost life less, but as the cycle
continues the trees will prove
otherwise.
ANIMAL: Tiger
 Tigers
are noted as fast, agressive animals.
White Belts often fight eager and
agressive. Tigers have one pace, they
consistently attack with great force
using brute strength to execute daily
movements much like a White Belt. Tigers
are very intelligent and absorb
information like a sponge, as a White
Belt does when they begin their
training.
ELEMENT: Metal
 The
element most symbolic of a White Belt is
metal. Metal is hard and rigid, like the
movements of a White Belt. White Belts
tend to move very stiff and rigid, and
try to d things "text book" as opposed
to fluidly. When a student
is promoted to Green Belt, he/she makes
the first significant change in rank.
For the first time, the uniform lapel is
trimmed in color to match the belt.
Green Belt includes 6th, 5th and 4th
degree gup student s.
Green Belt
Characteristic:
Starting to Grow
When a
student is promoted to Green Belt,
it is here that the plant begins to
grow. Concepts taught at White Belt will
now be fully comprehended and
understood. For the first time,
the uniform lapel is trimmed in color to
match the belt. Green Belt includes 6th,
5th and 4th degree gup students.
SEASON: Spring
 Green
is the color of Spring,
plants and life began to flower, spring
gives birth to new life. Life the
flowers growing in spring a Green Belt's
confidence, knowledge, and proper
technique begin to show through. From
here, the newly born flowers start to
realize their potential as their spirit
and loyalty to and for the Art of Tang
Soo Do being to grow.
ANIMAL: Dragon
 The
Dragon is believed to have been a
ferocious and unforgiving animal.
Dragons are strong animals but were more
agile and graceful than the tiger, but
no match in agility and grace to the
bird. Dragons did not know their own
strength and power and developed rapidly
as the days moved on. They represent the
growth of a green belt through their 9
month journey to Red Belt. Green Belts
are just beginning to learn more
physically challenging techniques,
especially those that require jumping.
Just as the dragon became greater by
day, so does the Green Belt with these
new found techniques, but are still more
comfortable with the fundamental
techniques of the
White Belt.
ELEMENT: Wood
 As
Green Belts develop good stretching
habits and develop muscles that weren't
used as often before they gain greater
flexibility in their muscles. As such,
wood is less rigid than metal. As their
techniques softens Green Belts become
more fluid. Sparring is more relaxed and
forms become set at the correct pace. At
this level the spirit also develops.
Red Belt
Characteristic: Hot, Energetic, and
Agile
Becoming a Red Belt
is considered one of the most
considerable rank changes and is
considered a turning point for most. Red
Belt includes 3rd, 2nd, and 1st Gups. At
this rank students become responsible
for aquiring Black Belt Pre-Test Scores,
attending Red Belt/Black Belt class, and
getting attendance sheets signed. At
this rank leadership roles become
assumed as Red Belts train to become a
Black Belt.
SEASON: Summer
 During
the summer energy is high and the
weather is hotter than ever. The
characteristic color of the summer is
red. Fitting of the energy of the
summer, Red Belts train hard towards
Black Belt and take work outs and
classes to a new level of intensity. As
they move on the become more eager to
share knowledge with those of lower
rank. Although intense, there is and
small piece of underlying inner balance
and peace developing.
ANIMAL: Bird
 Red
Belt is associated with the bird.
Birds are the master of both the land
and the sky. As Red Belts progress they
become more and more comfortable with
jumping techniques. As young birds take
risks as they prepare to go out on their
own, Red Belts begin to forge their own
path while becoming Black Belts, like
that of their Instructors. Red Belts are
preparing to leave the seniority of
being the highest Gup rank to become the
lowest Dan rank. Red Belts must take
risks but stay healthy, on their path to
Black Belt.
ELEMENT: Fire
 The
element of Red Belt is fire.
Fire is a moving and
growing element that engulfs everything
in its path. Like fire, Red Belts stop
for nothing. Fire can burn wood and melt
metal. This represents Red Belts at the
top of the hierarchy of Gups, they are
at a new level of rank and seniority.
Black Belt
Characteristic: Maturity,
Wisdom
Black Belt is the
final change of color in the belt
system. Traditionally it's known as
midnight blue, the color of the evening
sky. It's the most significant
transition as noted by the full trim on
their uniforms.
Traditionally Tang
Soo Do Black Belts wear midnight Blue
Belts and trim on their uniforms. This
is because in Korean Culture Black
symbolizes, death, an ending, or
finality. A Black Belt is not an ending,
it's only a beginning. True Black Belts
never stop the learning process. As a
Tang Soo Do School, we wear Black Belts
so as not to cause confusion and confer
with the times, but it is still noted
that midnight blue is the traditional
color of Black Belt.
SEASON:Fall
 The
season for Black Belt is fall. As trees
lose their leaves, they collect on the
ground. This represents the knowledge
and loyalty being passed on to those
below them. Each Black Belt is
responsible for passing a little piece
of themselves down to their students or
those below them, if not, Tang Soo Do
would never thrive the way it does. The
trees roots are symbolic of the deep and
rich tradition within Tang Soo Do that
binds all students throughout the world.
ANIMAL: Turtle
 The
turtle moves slows but purposefully and
steadily. The turtles are the longest
living animal on earth, they have much
life experience but stay humble. Turtles
retreat when threatened but attack when
necessary. This is symbolic of how Black
Belts sole purpose is not to fight, but
to prevent a fight at all costs until
ones life is threatened, or the lives of
others.
ELEMENT: Water
 Water
is the element of the Black Belt.
Water is at the top of the element
hierarchy. It rusts metal, douses fire,
and rots wood. Water is extremely
versatile taking any shape or form
necessary to thrive. Water flows, like
the technique of a fine tuned Black
Belt. Water is essential to life on
earth just as Black Belts are essential
to the life of Tang Soo Do. They
represent all that is strong and
powerful, but remain humble.
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