{"id":352,"date":"2026-07-18T23:42:27","date_gmt":"2026-07-19T03:42:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/tkd\/?page_id=352"},"modified":"2026-07-18T23:42:27","modified_gmt":"2026-07-19T03:42:27","slug":"what-is-taekwondo","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/blog.uvm.edu\/tkd\/what-is-taekwondo\/","title":{"rendered":"What is Taekwondo?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
\n
\n
\n
\n

Taekwondo is a Korean unarmed martial art and currently one of the most widely practiced in the world. The name Taekwondo translates to “foot,” “fist,” and “the way of”. The Kukkiwon World Taekwondo Headquarters has registered 20 million black belt holders since its founding in 1972. However, the roots of Taekwondo can be traced back to post-World War II in the modern era. There are a great many connections with older martial arts styles in Korea, but these connections are not clearly defined. Taekwondo is not only kicking and punching, but also a way of living. Taekwondo is an international sport with many different competitions, including a World Championship for Taekwondo forms. Taekwondo sparring is an Olympic sport with full medal status.

<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Belt System<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n

White Belt<\/strong> \u2013 Signifies innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no previous knowledge of Taekwondo.
Yellow Belt<\/strong> \u2013 Signifies the Earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the Taekwondo foundation is being laid.
Green Belt<\/strong> \u2013 Signifies the plant\u2019s growth as the Taekwondo skills begin to develop.
Blue Belt<\/strong> \u2013 Signifies the Heaven, toward which the plant matures into a towering tree as training in Taekwondo.
Red Belt<\/strong> \u2013 Signifies danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away.
Black Belt<\/strong> \u2013 Signifies the opposite of white, therefore, signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwondo.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

\n
\"\"<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n