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The RANKS in Tae Kwon Do differ from those of other styles. There are two main groups of ranks: 10 to 1 grades (GUP or KUP) and 1 to 9 degrees (DANS). Each grade has two levels of achievement. This is recognizable by color of the belt (level I) or by the color of stripe (level II). To check and practically see the degree of progress of the student there are examinations which show for all involved such as the public, the students as well as the instructor the level of one's proficiency and knowledge. The requirements differ slightly with each club (dojang or school), but generally the examinations are conducted every two to three months, 4 hours per week, i.e. 2 hr classes twice a week or one hour classes 4 times a week".

First degree Black Belt through Third degree Black Belt are considered "NOVICES," the 4th to 7th are "MASTERS," and the 8th and 9th "GRANDMASTERS."

With degrees, number nine (9) is the highest, which is the highest digital number. But this is not the only reason. The other reason is that three multiplied by itself produces number nine. The numbers one and three have always been held in high esteem (religious influence: three in one, one God--monotheism, three---trinity in Christian religion, Buddhism.)
The Chinese character representing three is called KHIEN and it is written as three long horizontal lines.
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It is one of the four trigrams of the Korean flag. The upper line symbolizes heaven, the middle line stands for mortals and the lower line symbolizes Earth.

There is also a half Black and half Red for a Junior Black Belt in the WTF and a half Black and half White for a Junior in the ITF.
Between the 1st grade Red Belt and the 1st degree Black Belt is an additional belt called CHO-DAN BO. It is a temporary black belt that lasts for one year. The belt is solid black with no stripes. At the end of the year the student Cho-Dan Bo tests again to make sure he is serious about the rank of Black Belt.

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Updated on March 22, 2008!

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