Songahm Taekwondo is a martial art practiced at schools affiliated with the American Taekwondo Association. “Songahm” means “Pine Tree and Rock,” an image emphasizing strength, longevity, and loyalty. It uses a belt system to rank participants’ competence levels. The following introduction to the belt system will get you excited about progressing.

The Belt System

Each color belt you receive has a symbolic meaning and ties back to the image of the pine tree; the student begins as a seed and grows into a strongly rooted tree. Colored belts include white, orange, yellow, camouflage, green, purple, blue, brown, and red.

Because white is the color of purity, the white belt indicates the participants clean slate as they begin their journey into Songahm Taekwondo. Following the colored belts, students proceed to black belts where they can work towards different degrees of expertise.

Moving Up the Ranks 

To progress to the next belt, students prove their expertise in their current rank through basic moves, sparring, and forms. Following testing, a student may receive a full pass, half pass, or no change.

In addition, students hold their current rank with a recommended (R) or decided (D) rank; the latter is considered a half step above the former. To indicate a D ranking, some schools attach black tape to the end of a student’s belt. At certain schools, there are time limits for how long you can remain in a rank before testing for the next one.

Rank System Depends on Age

Because all kinds of students participate in Taekwondo, there are different ranking systems for different age groups. For example, the ATA Tigers is a system for students ages 3-6. In this ranking system, they use animal patches to suggest rank level. For example, a turtle is a white belt, a tiger is an orange belt, and a cheetah is a yellow belt.

This is a fun and meaningful way to get children interested in martial arts. As they grow, they may become interested in joining the teen and adult ranking systems. Adults who complete both colored and black belts can go on to become masters.

ATA Infinite Martial Arts in Centennial, CO, will help you start or continue your martial arts journey. For 50 years, they’ve helped students achieve physical and mental fitness. Whether you’re looking for an after-school activity for your little one, or a fun way to get fit, they’ve got the programming for you. Their skilled instructors teach not only self-defense techniques but also lifelong skills like confidence and discipline. Visit their website for information on their programs. Call (303) 353-4951 to start training at their state-of-the-art facility and ask about their free trial.