Belt Ranking System
The use of colored belts originated in Japan at the turn of the 20th Century, introduced into the martial arts by Jigaro Kano (founder of modern Judo) and has since been widely adopted by modern martial arts. This stemmed from Kano's earlier adaptation of white kyu (grade, gup in Korean) and black dan (level or degree) ranks to distiguish between beginners and advanced practitioners. He adopted that from the traditional method of ranking skill in the 2000 year old stratigic board game "Go" (wéiqí in Chinese).
The colors in the belt ranking system signify “Growth in Knowledge”.  The belt colors chosen in San Kil Tang Soo Do are originally based on Hwang Kee's (founder of Moo Duk Kwan) philosophy for growth in knowledge.  Study the meaning of each belt color and you will better understand and enjoy the feeling of growth as you progress in rank.
Belt Color Season   Meaning        
White Winter   Hidden potential, emptiness    
Gold* Winter Thaw   Awareness of potential (finding gold)    
Orange* Early Spring   Desire, planting seeds for success    
Green Spring   Growth, advancement, life, balance    
Red Summer   Ripening, heat, active, yang    
Midnight Blue Autum   Harvest, cool, passive, yin, maturity, success, endless potential
* Originally Tang Soo Do only used White, Green, Red and Midnight Blue. The Orange belt was added in 1975 and the Gold belt in 2005 as a means of improving student motivation and retention.
Minimum Time Requirements for Rank
Rank Belt & Uniform Minimum Time Total Time
10th Gup White belt; plain white uniform 2-3 months 2-3 months
9th Gup Low Gold white stripe; plain white uniform 2 months 4-5 months
9th Gup Mid Gold black stripe; plain white uniform 2 months 6-7 months
9th Gup High Gold blue stripe; plain white uniform 2 months 8-9 months
8th Gup Low Orange white stripe; plain white uniform 2 months 10 months
8th Gup High Orange black stripe; plain white uniform 2 months 1 year  
7th Gup Orange blue stripe; plain white uniform 2 months 14 months
6th Gup Green white stripe; green trimmed lapel 4 months 1-1/2 years
5th Gup Green black stripe; green trimmed lapel 4 months 22 months
4th Gup Green blue stripe; green trimmed lapel 4 months 26 months
3rd Gup Red white stripe; red trimmed lapel 4 months 2-1/2 years
2nd Gup Red black stripe; red trimmed lapel 6 months 3 years  
1st Gup Red blue stripe; red trimmed lapel 6 months 3-1/2 years
Cho Dan Bo Solid red belt; red trimmed lapel 6 months 4 years  
* Instructors may award blue "tips" to end of belt to signify progress and eligibility to test for next rank. Progress to first Dan Testing is approximately 4 years.
Minimum Time Requirements for Dans
The use of Midnight Blue is unique to Tang Soo Do (and Soo Bahk Do) attributed to Hwang Kee. The Midnight Blue Belt is worn as a symbol of the wearer's humility (kyum son) and reminds one that perfection cannot be attained, the Black Belt in this instance being a symbol of perfection. Hwang Kee chose not to have a black belt in his system because it is a finite color - it cannot get any darker, hense it represents the end of a journey. A martial artist, on the other hand, never stops evolving.
Degree Belt & Uniform Minimum Time Total Time*
Cho (1st) Dan Midnight Blue; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 2 years   6 years  
Ee (2nd) Dan Midnight Blue with 2 white tips; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 3 years   9 years  
Sam (3rd) Dan Midnight Blue with 3 white tips; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 4 years   13 years
* Total times listed include time to reach Cho Dan.
Minimum Time Requirements for Ko Dan Ja
The use of Midnight Blue with a red stripe signifies re-igniting the fire within and achieving balance between Um and Yang. It's use started in 1960 and symbolized Neh Gang Weh Yu or Strong Inside, Gentle Outside Um/Yang philosophy. Martial artists who achieve these ranks are considered Masters of their art.
Degree Belt & Uniform Minimum Time Total Time*
Sa (4th) Dan Midnight Blue with Red Stripe; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 5 years   18 years
O (5th) Dan Midnight Blue with Red Stripe; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 6 years   24 years
Yuk (6th) Dan Midnight Blue with Red Stripe; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 6 years   30 years
Chil (7th) Dan Midnight Blue with Red Stripe; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 6 years   36 years
Pal (8th) Dan Midnight Blue with Red Stripe; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 7 years   43 years
Ku (9th) Dan Midnight Blue with Red Stripe; Midnight blue lapel, sleeve and border trim 7 years   50 years
* Total times listed include time to reach Cho Dan.