There are six colors of belts: white, gold, green, blue, red and black. The colors have not been arbitrarily chosen. They are steeped in tradition. The colors of black, red and blue denoted the various levels of hierarchy during the Koguryo and Silla Dynasties.

The meaning of the belt colors is as follows:

White - Means innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwon-Do.

Gold - Means the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwon-Do foundation is being laid.

Green - Means the plant's growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to develop.

Blue - Means the Heaven, towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwon-Do progresses.

Red - Means 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 Taekwon-Do. It also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear.