Monday 29 August 2011
Not many people know that the principle behind Taekwondo and Hapkido is even followed in the construction of the training uniform or “dobok” as it is traditionally called.
It can be noted that many Eastern philosophic doctrines are the basis behind the principles of the ancient Korean arts of Taekwondo and Hapkido. In their concepts the harmony in human life is very important. They input the same ideas in the creation of their uniform.
The dobok is said to be taken from the national Korean costume. The three geometrical shapes are combined in it:
1. Square in the sleeves and trousers,
2. Circle in the belt around the waist.
3. Triangle in the V-neck and tights.
According to the Yin and Yang theory, the three main components of the universe and the geometrical shapes of the dobok have their significance – the trousers symbolize the Earth, the belt stands for people (man and woman) and the upper garment represents heaven.
The endless form of the belt, a circle, symbolizes the course of human life among heaven and earth. The white color is the purity of consciousness and peace.
The belt is a non-separable part of the Taekwondo and Hapkido uniform. It stands for the rank of degree of the practitioner.
There are five colors of belts – white, yellow, blue, red and black one.
There are 9 ranks of degree for students (gup) from white belt to the red one, and 9 dans – all of them black belts. The ultimate number in the decimal system is 9. So the initial degree is the 9th gup and the highest one is the 9th dan. Probationary black belt is considered a transitionary stage between coloured belts and black belt.
At Factor10 we consider there to be 10 colour belt levels (including white belt) and also 10 black belt levels (including probationary black belt. However when considering the actual grading ranks or tests within each of the colour and black belt ranked there are 9.
Taekwondo and Hapkido uniforms are distinguished according to grades.
For colored grades:
A white traditional uniform is the only accepted uniform for all colored belt grades. The belts are plain coloured belts.
For black belt grades:
1. Provisional or Probationary Black
This is the separation between the 1st Gup and 1st Dan. A traditional white top is worn with no trim or other identifying decoration, as with the colour belt grades or ranks.
The belt has as red and black stripe, signifying the transition from red to black belt. Some Martial Arts schools have a red belt with a single black stripe on only one one of the belt, whereas at Factor10 one half of the belt has red and one half has black along the length of the belt.
2. First to Fifth Degree Black Belt
These degree levels are of greatly matured levels compared to the Probationary black belter and are distinguished with a trim uniform, using a black band around the V Neck collar in Taekwondo, or in the case of Hapkido, a white jacket with a black diamond pattern across the fabric.
3. Sixth to Ninth Degree Black Belt
These are considered Master and Grand Master’s Ranks. The practitioners in this degree have the liberty to wear any respectable uniform design, color configuration, or trim, of their choice within their organisation guidelines, with this privilege only going to the “Kwang Jang” or head of the organisation.
Master’s belts are traditionally either extra wide black belts with other trim, embroidery and logos.
