Taekwondo Belts (traditional martial art in Korea)

Taekwondo Belts Taekwondo awards levels and belts according to the level of mastery demonstrated by the student. Low levels are from Level 8 to Level 1, and high levels are from the lowest 1 ‘dan’ or 1 ‘pum’ to the highest 4 ‘dan’ or 4 ’pum.’ ‘Dan’ and ‘pum’ signify the same thing, but the term ‘pum’ is used for those 15 or under while the term ‘dan’ applies to anyone 16 or older. Each level has its own ‘Pumsae,’ a predetermined set of movements that one can use to gain practice against an imaginary opponent. Different colored belts are awarded according to the level attained.

Level		Pumsae	Belt Color
Low Level	No Level	Basic Position
	Level 8	Taegeuk 1-Jang
	Level 7	Taegeuk 2-Jang
	Level 6	Taegeuk 3-Jang
	Level 5	Taegeuk 4-Jang
	Level 4	Taegeuk 5-Jang
	Level 3	Taegeuk 6-Jang
	Level 2	Taegeuk 7-Jang
	Level 1	Taegeuk 8-Jang
High Level	1 Pum, 1 Dan	Goryeo	Pum	Dan
	2 Pum, 2 Dan	Geumgang
	3 Pum, 3 Dan	Taebaek
	4 Pum, 4 Dan	Pyeongwon

* The belt colors outlined above are basic, but depending on the discretion of a Taekwondo master, belt colors offered at a specific place of learning can increase or decrease.