The belt system is used in the ATA to reward students for their dedication and perseverance to the art and also to show the level of training and accomplishment that a student has reached. There are nine grades of color belts before the rank of black belt and nine degree's of black belt possible after that. Each belt level has its own requirements and philosophical interpretation. | 1st Degree Black Belt / Shim Jun - "The tree has reached maturity and overcome darkness. It must now begin to plant seeds for the future." | | 1st Degree Black Belt - Recommended / Choong Jung EE Two - "The dawn of a new day. The sun breaks through the darkness." | | 1st Grade / Choong Jung EE Two - "The sun is setting. The first phase of growth has been accomplished." | | 2nd Grade / Choong Jung IL One - "The tree is firmly rooted in the earth." | | 3rd Grade / In Wha Two - "The tree reaches for the sky towards new heights." | | 4th Grade / In Wha One - "Coming to the mountain. The tree is in mid-growth and now the path becomes steep." | | 5th Grade / Songahm Five - "The pine tree is beginning to develop and grow in strength." | | 6th Grade / Songahm Four - "The sapling is hidden amongst the taller pines and must now fight its way upwards." | | 7th Grade / Songahm Three - "The seed is beginning to see the sunlight." | | 8th Grade / Songahm Two - "The sun is beginning to rise. As with the morning's dawn, only the beauty of the sunrise is seen rather than the immense power." | | 9th Grade / Songahm One - "Pure and without knowledge of Songahm Taekwondo. As with the pine tree, the seed must now be planted and nourished to develop strong roots." |
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