The Belt System in Jang Mu Won Hapkido

The Belt System has a long tradition in the martial arts. Originally, the custom was to wear a belt to keep clothing in place during the movements of training or fighting. Over time, with experience and exposure, the color of the belt would darken - the history of the trails of its owner showing in stains and discolorations. 

“Blackened” belts evolved over time into a system where a black belt would represent the highest level of accomplishment in the journey of the martial artist. However, each color along the way carries its own rank, symbolic connotation, and specific curriculum to be understood.

Utilizing a belt system is beneficial to both students and instructors. By associating a belt color with ranking, students are able to recognize their standing and progress. They can also see the next level ahead of them and have access to specific curriculum associated with that rank.

With the achievement of each new colored belt, the students’ motivation grows and their confidence increases, as does their knowledge in the studio. The higher the level, the more respect they earn from fellow students and colleagues.

The structure of the belt system is also useful to the instructors, helping them to provide more individualized attention to each student. They know the set curriculum that must be mastered at the level represented by each belt color, and can move immediately into these particular lessons.

The Hapkido ranking system is cyclical in nature. The martial arts student begins their journey wearing the white belt (the beginner level) and moves through each colored level. When the students have mastered the next set of lessons, they are rewarded at a promotion ceremony with their next belt rank. This represents the new status that the student has earned. 

After the last colored belt has been achieved, the students prepare for their first dan (degree) black belt test. Here, we see the cycle continue. For the ranks of black belts, the first degree is the beginner level. The student must progress, again mastering the curriculum associated with each level through the corresponding black belt system.

From Junior Hapki to ninth degree black belt, an approximate parallel with an academic grade school education would be as follows:

  • Elementary School - Moving through the colored belt system, the student learns a basic version of the techniques that define the art. These are strikes, twists, throws, and takedowns that make up Jang Mu Won Hapkido. 

  • Middle School - The 1st degree black belt test is a comprehensive review of the techniques from all the prior colored belts. There is no new material here. Rather, the student must demonstrate their competence in all that has come before.

  • High School - The new curriculum is taught with an emphasis towards progressing into “adult” study. With the foundation of the 1st degree in place, technique is more refined and carefully executed. There is also the introduction of Hapkido weapons.

  • College Entrance - At 3rd degree, the student has truly entered into advanced studies—the higher education of the university. It is advanced on two levels. The curriculum here is more complex. Also, mastery of the technique has matured to the point where the student also becomes a recognized teacher. The student receives a certified letter of appointment of the Assistant Instructor level.

  • Bachelor’s Degree - These two levels of study parallel the first college degree. Techniques are varied and are more sophisticated here, but also rely more and more on the use of internal ki energy. This is evident in power throwing techniques. The certified letter of appointment to Instructor/Chief Instructor is achieved here.

  • Master’s Degree - As the student completes the next level of higher education, the martial artist earns the title of Master, by which they are now formally addressed.

  • Ph.D - Moving to 7th degree and above, the martial artist transcends mastery to parallel the level of Doctor Philosophy. The acquisition of wisdom, the shaping of character, and the safeguarding of the future of the art of Hapkido become higher level concerns. The martial artist progresses into a role of an accomplished and responsible parent—active in the preservation of the traditions that have shaped the student, and responsible for the well-being of students to come.

We have already discussed the cyclical nature of the Hapkido ranking system. Lastly, we look at the natural elements that are traditionally associated with belt color. The cycle always returns to the beginning as the martial artist moves forward. As they grow, so does the humility and humbleness of their maturing character. In nature, we see that in a strong storm–the resilient trees bend, their branches bowing down, the wind does not break them.

  • White signifies new beginnings, and the potential of emptiness, like a piece of white paper with a pencil in hand. While yellow and orange are supposed to represent the sun rising over, beginning the new day, and opening your eyes to a new path.

  • Purple Belt portrays confusion and hardship; it contains many new techniques that can be difficult, but serve as the basis for growth. Similar to a plant, Green Belt represents the growing process, the stem that has just sprouted from the dirt, the new growth that through healthy practice becomes strong.

  • Blue Belt demonstrates the desire to grow and reach past what is possible. Reaching for the sky, like the healthy plant that reaches for the sun.

  • Brown Belt is based on the return to the roots and foundational principles. Grounding technique and emphasizing the fundamental basics. Moreover, the Red Belt represents the reddening and browning of leaves ready to fall and return to the ground. It indicates a maturity and recognition of readiness.

Black Belt exists outside the seasonal cycle, but is also representative of the cycle as a whole. It is supposed to tell of a person’s experience, knowledge, and the respect they have accrued through years of repetition and discipline. Here, they begin the cycle again, with humility and humbleness towards their new beginning.