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. |
