General overview of grades
This ladder is not yet attributed to a specific organisation. Federations differ in belt colours and time requirements.
10th Gup – White Belt
Basic Ahp Seogi stance, Ahp Chagi front kicks, and fist blocks.
Traditional Korean art of the Chinese hand founded by Hwang Kee in 1945 (Moo Duk Kwan).
9th Gup – White Belt 1 Stripe
Pyung Ahn Cho Dan form and Tohlyo Chagi roundhouse kicks.
Deepening internal energy flow in foundational Hyung forms.
8th Gup – Yellow Belt
Pyung Ahn Ee Dan form, Yup Chagi side kicks, and Ho Sin Sul self-defense.
Mastering foundational joint locks and wrist release controls.
7th Gup – Yellow Belt 1 Stripe
Pyung Ahn Sam Dan form, Dji Chagi back kicks, and Dae Ryun sparring.
Speed and entry explosiveness of traditional Korean spinning back kick.
6th Gup – Green Belt
Pyung Ahn Sah Dan form, Kyok Pa board breaking, and counter-attacks.
Testing real striking power focus on wooden breaking targets.
5th Gup – Green Belt 1 Stripe
Pyung Ahn Oh Dan form, Ee Dan Chagi jumping kicks, and joint locks.
Mastering all 5 foundational Pyung Ahn peaceful mind forms.
4th Gup – Blue Belt
Bassai (Chil Sung Il Ro) form and full-contact sparring drills.
Penetrating opponent's guard utilizing concentrated internal force.
3rd Gup – Blue Belt 1 Stripe
Naihanchi Cho Dan form, Bong staff drills, and knife self-defense.
Linear explosive combat in tight iron-horse stance line.
2nd Gup – Red Belt
Jin Do form, flying double kicks, and high aerial target breaking.
Warning red color symbolizing dangerous combat proficiency.
1st Gup – Cho Dan Bo (Red-Black)
Sip Soo form, comprehensive review of 10 hyung, and Cho Dan exam prep.
Cho Dan Bo = Black belt candidate awaiting master examination.
1st Dan – Cho Dan (Midnight Blue Belt)
Full master rank Cho Dan in Midnight Blue belt. Teaching and certification.
Midnight Blue replaces black in Tang Soo Do symbolizing perpetual learning.
2nd Dan – Ee Dan
Ro Hai form, Dan Gum short sword drills, and competition judging.
Deepening versatility with traditional Korean weapons.
3rd Dan – Sam Dan
Wang Shu form, advanced sword forms, and dojang academy leadership.
Teaching maturity and authority in the World Tang Soo Do Association.
4th Dan – Sa Dan (Sa Bom Nim)
Senior master rank Sa Bom Nim. Red stripe along belt edges & testing.
Sa Bom Nim = Officially recognized international master of Hwang Kee lineage.
5th Dan – Oh Dan
Kong Sang Kun forms, traditional medicine research, and national coaching.
Senior master advancing the combined legacy of Chuck Norris and Hwang Kee.
6th Dan – Yook Dan
High grandmaster rank. Member of international association technical board.
Grandmaster with global authority and Dan certification rights.
7th Dan – Chil Dan
Directing World Tang Soo Do Championships and global committees.
Lifetime dedication to preserving Korean martial heritage.
8th Dan – Pal Dan
Executive board member of world federation. Highest active teaching authority.
Lifetime personal contribution to traditional Tang Soo Do development.
9th Dan – Ku Dan (Kwanjangnim)
Highest achievable Kwanjangnim rank in Tang Soo Do. Living legend & federation head.
Kwanjangnim = Direct guardian of founder Grandmaster Hwang Kee's legacy.