White belt (10th kup) Yellow stripe (9th kup) | Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do | |
Yellow belt (8th kup) Green stripe (7th kup) | Signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid | |
Green belt (6th kup) Blue stripe (5th kup) | Signifies the plant's growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop | |
Blue belt (4th kup) Red stripe (3rd kup) | Signifies the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses | |
Red belt (2nd kup) Black stripe (1st kup) | Signifies Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away | |
Black belt | Opposite of white, therefore signifying maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do, and also indicating the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear |