Permanent Black Belt

1st Dan

Candidates for 2nd dan have the following requirements:

  • Minimum 1 year actively training (regular class + advanced class) as a 1st dan black belt

  • Participation in the Black Belt Training Program, beginning 4 months from the target black belt test date

  • Board break that reflects the training of a 1st dan black belt

  • Minimum 1 seminar (Black Belt only class counts) since last test

  • Permission of sponsor and permission of Head Instructor

Forms

Form Definition

PO-EUN (36 movements) The diagram of the movement (- -) represents Po-Eun’s unerring loyalty to the king.

One Steps

2nd Dan

Candidates for 3rd dan have the following requirements:

  • Minimum 2 years actively training (regular class + advanced class) as a 2nd dan black belt

  • Participation in the Black Belt Training Program, beginning 4 months from the target black belt test date

  • Board break that reflects the training of a 2nd dan black belt

  • Minimum 2 seminars (Black Belt only class counts) since last test

  • Permission of sponsor and permission of Head Instructor

FORMS

Form DefinitionS

GYE-BAEK (44 movements) The pattern of movement (|) represents Gae Baek’s severe and strict military discipline.

EUI-AM (45 movements) The pseudonym of Son Byong Hi, leader of the Korean independence movement on March 1, 1919. The 45 movements refer to his age when he changed the name of Dong Hak (Oriental culture) to Chondo Kyo (Heavenly way religion) in 1905. The diagram represents his Indomitable Spirit, displayed while dedicating himself to the prosperity of his nation.

3rd Dan

Candidates for 4th dan have the following requirements:

  • Minimum 3 years actively training (regular class + advanced class) as a 3rd dan black belt

  • Candidates for 4th dan and higher are not required to participate in the Black Belt Training Program, but are welcome to attend any of the Black Belt Training Program events free of charge

  • Demonstrate knowledge of the forms by selecting a form of their choice and writing a 2000 word paper on the form. Papers should include an analysis of the form’s movements (i.e. - what is being done in the form / are there patterns within the form / what do the patterns mean / is there a rhythm to the form), the application of the movements within the form, and the Korean history represented with the form.

  • Create a personal form, minimum 15 movements. Include a name and definition for the form.

  • Board break that reflects the training of a 3rd dan black belt

  • Minimum 3 seminars (Black Belt only class counts) since last test

  • Permission of 3 senior black belts and permission of Head Instructor

FORMS

Form DefinitionS

CHUNG-JANG (52 movements) The pseudonym given to general Kim Duk Ryang who lived during the Lee Dynasty, 14th century. This pattern ends with a left-hand attack to symbolize the tragedy of his death at 27 in prison before he was able to reach full maturity.

JUCHE (45 movements) A philosophical idea that man is the master of everything and decides everything. In other words, the idea that man is the master of the world and his own destiny. It is said that this idea was rooted in Baekdu Mountain which symbolizes the spirit of the Korean people. The diagram (&) represents the Baekdu Mountain.

4TH DAN

Candidates for 5th dan have the following requirements:

  • Minimum 4 years actively training (regular class + advanced class) as a 4th dan black belt

  • Candidates for 5th dan are not required to participate in the Black Belt Training Program, but are welcome to attend any of the Black Belt Training Program events free of charge

  • Write a 15 page paper on your personal teaching philosophy. It may include examples of your teaching methods, with evaluations of what worked and what did not, what influenced your philosophy, what you have done and intend to do to make yourself a better instructor, your future goals, etc.

  • Create a personal form, minimum 25 movements. Include a name and definition for the form.

  • Board break that reflects the training of a 4th dan black belt

  • Minimum 4 seminars (Black Belt only class counts) since last test

  • Permission of 4 senior black belts and permission of Head Instructor

FORMS

FORM DEFINITIONS

SAM-IL (33 movements) Denotes the historical date of the independence movement of Korea which began throughout the country on March 1, 1919. The 33 movements in the pattern stand for the 33 patriots who planned the movement.

YOO-SIN (68 movements) Named after General Kim Yoo Sin, a commanding general during the Silla Dynasty. The 68 movements refer to the last two figures of 668 A.D., the year Korea was united. The ready posture signifies a sword drawn on the right rather than left side, symbolizing Yoo Sin's mistake of following his Kings' orders to fight with foreign forces against his own nation.