The Philosophy of the Belt Ranking System
Basic/Leadership Programme - White Belt - Winter
(Meaning - Emptiness, innocence, hidden potential, purity)
As a white belt you represent Winter. Your potential and skills are hidden under the pure white snow. As you begin your journey, through training and time your skills and potential will begin to appear.
Basic/Leadership Programme - Yellow Stripe/Yellow/Orange Belt - Time between Winter & Spring
This stage represents the time between winter and spring. Through your training, some of your skills and potential are beginning to appear like the stalk of a plant pushing up through the snow.
Leadership Programme - Green Belt - Spring
(Meaning - Growth, spreading, advancement)
As a green belt you represent Spring. Through hard work and training your potential and skills are becoming much more visible, like the new growth of a plant in spring. Just like a new plant your skills must be nurtured through continued hard work and practice so they will continue to grow and blossom.
Leadership Programme - Red Belt - Summer
(Meaning - Ripening, "Yang", active)
As a red belt you represent Summer. With much hard work, your skills and potential have blossomed and are visible like the petals of a flower. Your training has provided you with strong roots and foundation in our Martial Arts System. You are able to accept life's challenges with confidence and a positive attitude.
Leadership Programme - Midnight Blue - Autumn
(Meaning - Maturity, "Um", passive, harvest)
As a Dan you represent Autumn, "Maturity and harvesting the crops". The time spent training has provided you with the skills and maturity to better understand and use our Martial Arts System. This knowledge allows you to continue to grow physically & mentally as well as lead a healthy and disciplined life.
| Rank | Belt | Time before eligible to test |
| Geup member - "Grade" Holder | ||
| 10th Geup | White Belt | First Class |
| 9th Geup | White Belt with Yellow Stripe | 2 Months Minimum |
| 8th Geup | Yellow Belt | 2 Months Minimum |
| 7th Geup | Orange Belt | 2 Months Minimum |
| 6th Geup | Green Belt (Green Trim on Lapel) | 2 Months Minimum |
| 5th Geup | Green Belt with White Stripe | 4 Months Minimum |
| 4th Geup | Green Belt with Gold Stripe | 4 Months Minimum |
| 3rd Geup | Red Belt (Red Trim on Lapel) | 4 Months Minimum |
| 2nd Geup | Red Belt with White Stripe | 4 Months Minimum |
| 1st Geup | Red Belt with Gold Stripe | 6 Months Minimum |
| Dan Member - "Degree" Holder | ||
| 1st Dan (Cho Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt (Midnight Blue Trim on Uniform) | 1 Year Minimum |
| 2nd Dan (Ee Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt with Two White Stripes | 2 Year Minimum |
| 3rd Dan (Sam Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt with Three White Stripes | 3 Year Minimum |
| Ko Dan Ja - Senior Dan Holder (Master) | ||
| 4th Dan (Sa Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt with Red Stripe in centre of belt | 4 Year Minimum |
| 5th Dan (O Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt with Red Stripe in centre of belt | 5 Year Minimum |
| 6th Dan (Yuk Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt with Red Stripe in centre of belt | 6 Year Minimum |
| 7th Dan (Chil Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt with Red Stripe in centre of belt | 7 Year Minimum |
| 8th Dan (Pahl Dan) | Midnight Blue Belt with Red Stripe in centre of belt | 8 Year Minimum |
MDK Achievement Centres Family Martial Arts Black Belt Leadership Academy schools welcome families in Preston, Southport, Leyland, Bolton, Blackburn and Darwen