System of Rank:

A beginner starts out at White Belt 10th Gup, progressing to 9th Gup, then 8th, and so on until Black Tip 1st Gup. From White Belt 10th Gup to Red Belt 2nd Gup, grading is usually carried out every 3 months. A Black Tip 1st Gup has to train for at least 6 months before he is eligible to grade for 1st Dan. A person usually attains Black Belt 1st Dan in two and a half years to four years, depending on ability, and frequency of training and grading.

For Black Belts, the minimum time requirement for testing are:

• Colour Belt: Minimum of three months required (Depends upon students and instructors)
• 1st to 2nd Dan: 2 years
• 2nd to 3rd Dan: 3 years
• 3rd to 4th Dan: 4 years

etc.

To be an Examiner, one must be at least a 4th Dan Black Belt.

Colour Belt
White Belt	10th Gup
Yellow Tip	9th Gup
Yellow Belt	8th Gup
Green Tip	7th Gup
Green Belt	6th Gup
Blue Tip	5th Gup
Blue Belt	4th Gup
Red Tip	3rd Gup
Red Belt	2nd Gup
Black Tip	1st Gup

 

Black Belt
1st Dan	Assistant Instructor
2nd Dan	Assistant Instructor
3rd Dan	Assistant Instructor
4th Dan	International Instructor
5th Dan	International Instructor
6th Dan	International Instructor
7th Dan	Master Instructor
8th Dan	Master Instructor
9th Dan	Grandmaster

 

Meanings of Belt Colours:

Colour	Meaning
White	Innocence, he/she is like that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Tamo Martial Art.
Yellow	The Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Tamo Martial Art foundation is being laid.
Green	The plant's growth as the Tamo Martial Art skill begins to develop.
Blue	The Heaven, towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Tamo Martial Art progresses.
Red	Danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
Black	Opposite of White, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Tamo Martial Art. It also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.