Advancement in Rank - as with the majority of martial arts classes, advancement in knowledge is symbolized by the wearing of different color belts. This is accomplished by the student demonstrating successfully the ability to perform certain movements and actions that are associated with the next higher level. Formal and informal test are conducted by the House of Discipline staff. A student will progress according to their own abilities in mastering the techniques.
True belts (even numbered Gups)
Incentive Stripes
Intermediate belts (odd numbered Gups)
-Note: gup, also romanized
as geup,geop, or kup
To receive the next belt for gup levels, a certification fee
must be submitted with the Application for Gup Rank Form to
Grandmaster James McMurray. The forms are provide to students who are
ready to advance to the next gup level..
Since the level of Black Belt requires more knowledge and activity, a
formal test is established on two separate weekend days. Usually
candidates from surrounding branches and school will test together. A
six months notice is given to candidates that have met the minimum time
requirements for black belt.
THE TRUE BELTS of TAEKWONDO
Most instructors of Taekwondo schools set the requirements of rank and
advancement levels according to their students, and will probably have a
different ranking system in place. However, all the Taekwondo schools
have one thing in common... they will have 5 belts that will be
consistent in their ranking system. These belts are know as TRUE
BELTS and they represent an attitude of good citizenship for the
students to train by.
8th gup 
YELLOW BELT
Represents the Rising Sun ... or SUNRISE. Just as the Sun rises
each morning fresh and new to start the new
day, the Taekwondo student should dedicate him or herself to rise about
the average. Each morning the
Taekwondo student wakes up from a restful night, stretchs and then
reminds him/herself that they are going
to learn something new that day. Then actually do that, learn something
new, and in doing so, becomes
smarter and more knowledgeable, and it is often said that...
KNOWLEDGE IS POWER AND BREEDS SUCCESS.
6th gup 
GREEN BELT
Represents the TREES. A tree will grow tall and sturdy, with deep
roots for support and stability. When the
wind blows, the tree branches will bend and sway in the breeze, and when
the wind stops blowing, they
returns to the upright position, confident, tall, strong. When people
are mean to you, call you bad names
and same ugly things to you, do not break or cease to stand tall, their
words are nothing but air blowing in
the wind, do not let the words defeat you or cause you to not grow to
your highest level.
4th gup 
BLUE BELT
Represents the SKY. The Sky is placed high above up. To see it,
we must look up, to reach it, we must
stretch forward, never giving up, always willing and courageous to take
the next step.
2nd gup 
RED BELT
Represents the Setting Sun... or SUNSET. Just as the sunset
symbolizes the ending of a day, the red belt
reminds us that we have journeyed a long way, collecting all our
knowledge and experiences and have
learned from them, now we are ready to put what we have learned to the
test. The Red Belt also symbolizes
FIRE. Forceful, yet comforting, deadly, yet nurturing.
1st poom or dan 
BLACK
BELT
Symbolizes ALL KNOWLEDGE, you as a student have learn the basics
well and at this level considered to
be an expert not only in your martial arts, but also in how you conduct
yourself within society. Be a leader,
stand up for justice, truth and freedom. Lead by example!
