At Chung TKD in New Hyde Park, the nine belt colors in order are White, Gold, Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, Red, Brown and Black. Every child starts at White, and each belt has a form to learn, from Chun-Ji at White to Kwang-Gae and Koryo at Black.
Which form does my child learn at each belt?
Each belt has its own form, and Brown and Black have two each:
- White: Chun-Ji
- Gold: Tan-Gun
- Orange: To-San
- Green: Won-Hyo
- Purple: Yul-Gok
- Blue: Choong-Gun
- Red: Toi-Gye
- Brown: Hwa-Rang and Choong-Moo
- Black: Kwang-Gae and Koryo
The color belt forms are ITF patterns, from the International Taekwon-Do Federation tradition.
Why is the belt order different at other schools?
Because there is no single order. Each style, and often each school, sets its own colors and sequence, so a green belt at one school may not match a green belt at another. When you compare schools, ask to see their full belt order.
What does each belt ask of my child?
More at every step, in the same six areas: attendance, forms, technique, sparring drills, breaking and terminology. The bar also fits the child's age. A gold belt at five and a gold belt at ten are not asked to do the same thing.
How does my child move up to the next belt?
Step by step. Between colors, children earn stripes in classes where they review their curriculum with an instructor. After enough classes and stripes, an instructor checks whether they are ready to test. Below brown belt, your child tests when their instructors say they are ready. From brown belt on, tests are on set dates. Grandmaster Howard Chung runs every belt test, the instructors demonstrate, and families have a seat and watch. Black belt tests are big occasions, and the school's past black belts come back for them. For the details, read How do stripes work in Tae Kwon Do?
How long does it take to reach black belt?
There is no fixed number of years. Each child moves through the color belts at their own pace, and the black belt test comes when they are ready for it.
What comes after black belt?
The black belt forms, Kwang-Gae and Koryo, and more training. For some black belts, the Masters Club follows: leadership training, by invitation.
Questions parents ask
How many belt colors are there in Tae Kwon Do?
At Chung TKD there are nine: White, Gold, Orange, Green, Purple, Blue, Red, Brown and Black. Other schools may use a different number.
What is the first form my child learns?
Chun-Ji, at White belt.
Are there set dates for belt tests?
Not until brown belt. Below brown belt, your child tests when their instructors say they are ready. From brown belt on, tests are on set dates.