| PRACTICE
SUIT
(Do Bok)
| Black
belt holder
 Front
View
 Back
View
|
We assign names to people and objects in order to distinguish
between different individuals, between objects with different
properties etc. We know immediately that "Kim Sun Dal"
is not the same person as "Timothy Smith", that
"flora" is distinct from "fauna", that
"rock" and a "pillow" do not have identical
characteristics.
The naming of names is a classification process by which
we impose order on the universe. In the absence of names,
the world would be chaotic and progress would be impossible.
Our do boks serve a similar purpose. They reveal
our occupation and our rank, identifying us as persons engaged
in a certain kind of activity. Social order would be difficult
to maintain without systemized forms of clothing.
Because of names, football can be clearly distinguished
from baseball, Taekwon-Do from Judo. Similarly, their respective
uniforms allow us to distinguish a judge from a criminal,
a general from a private soldier.
When we wear a uniform, we accept a certain role in society
and we are obliged to behave accordingly.
Our martial art was given the name "Taekwon-Do"
to distinguish its technique, philosophical system, spiritual
foundation and rules of competition from other Oriental
martial arts. We have a uniform unique to Taekwon-Do for
the same reason. |
A
The International Taekwon-Do Federation introduced this
do bok in 1982.
It is the product of
many years of research and development. This new do
bok retains the aspects of the traditional do bok
while representing a new age in terms of design.
It eliminates many
of the inconveniences associated with other martial arts
uniforms. It will not, for instance, become undone during
practice or tournament.
It has also put an
end to the dishonest practice of relying on starched material
to create an artificial sound. The do bok is considered
a primary necessity in both training and tournament for
the following reasons:
1) The wearing of the do bok should
instill pride in the student as a practitioner of Taekwon-Do.
2) It identifies the degree of skill and
cultural education in Taekwon-Do that the
individual has attained.
3) The style of the do bok is symbolic
of Taekwon-Do heritage and
tradition.
4) Grade and degree changes indicated by
belt color create incentive while simultaneously
preserving humility.
5) The do bok is extremely practical
and healthy.
6) The official do bok distinguishes
orthodox Taekwon-Do from its imitators.
The do bok consists of a shirt, pants and belt
made of synthetic material, detron mixed with cotton.
This material is a vast improvement over standard cotton
in that it is more durable and flexible.
The shirt and pants
must be white in color to symbolize the traditional color
of the Korean costume. Superfluous frills, piping, lettering
and designs are not permissible.
It is very important
for the student to keep his do bok clean at all
times, wear it correctly and treat it with the respect
he owes to his art. Black piping around the edge of the
shirt is worn only by the black belt holder.
The piping is three
centimeters in width and is symbolic of the royal family
and members of aristocratic houses during the Koguryo,
Baekje, and Silla Dynasties.
An international instructor
is distinguished by black stripes three centimeters wide
on both sides of the shirt and pants. |
Grade
holder
 Front
View
 Back
View
International Instructor
 Side
View
Black belt holder
 Side
View
|
SHIRT (Sang-i)
A
tapered shirt is both more practical and aesthetically pleasing
that a tight or loose one. The sleeves should be long enough to
reach the wrist. The length of the shirt should be to the top
of the thigh.
It is permissible to wear a
T-shirt under the do bok if the student desires to do so.
Front View
Back View
 A
The logo symbolizes
an evergreen tree.
PANTS (Ha-i)
The length of the pants should
be to the top of the ankle bone.
Front View 
Back View
BELT (Ti)
There are six orders of belts;
white, yellow, green, blue, red and black.
The width of the belt is five
centimeters, the thickness five millimeters. The width of the
stripe on the end of the belt is also five millimeters. The distance
between the stripe and the end of the belt is five centimeters.
Black belt ranks are distinguished
by Roman numerals on the belt as shown bellow
Grade holder's belt
|
Black
belt
 |
A
Type
of Belt
Black
Red belt with a black
stripe
Red belt
Blue belt with a
red stripe
Blue belt
Green with a blue
stripe
Green belt
Yellow belt with
a green stripe
Yellow belt
White belt with a
yellow stripe
White belt |
Rank
First to Ninth Degree
First Grade
Second Grade
Third Grade
Fourth Grade
Fifth Grade
Sixth Grade
Seventh Grade
Eighth Grade
Ninth Grade
Tenth Grade |
The above colors
have not been arbitrarily chosen. They are, in fact, steeped in
tradition. The colors of black, red and blue denote the various
levels of hierarchy during the Koguryo and Silla Dynasties. A half
black and half white belt is used for the junior black belt holder.
MEANING OF BELT COLORS
| White
- Yellow
-
Green -
Blue -
Red -
Black - |
Signifies
innocence, as that of a beginning student who has no
previous knowledge
of Taekwon-Do.
Signifies the Earth
from which a plant sprouts and takes root as
the Taekwon-Do foundation
is being laid.
Signifies the plant's
growth as the Taekwon-Do skill begins to
develop.
Signifies the Heaven,
towards which the plant matures into a
towering tree as
training in Taekwon-Do progresses.
Signifies danger,
cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the
opponent to stay away.
Opposite of white,
therefore, signifying the maturity and
proficiency in Taekwon-Do.
It also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness
and fear. |
How to fold the do bok
A
 A A
1. Fold at the center
2. Fold on the third
vertically.
of the lower part.
3. Fold again at the center. |
|
4. Place the
folded pants on
the shirt so the
waist overlaps
the collar.
5. Fold one side
inward first.
|
A
6. Fold the sleeve at the center |
7. Fold the opposite side inward |
8. Fold the opposite sleeve at the center. |
9. Fold the shirt at the center. |
 |
10.
Fold again in half. |
11. Place the center of the folded belt
at the center of the folded do bok. |
|
12.
Tie the belt with a square knot..
 |
How to tie the belt
1.
Hold the belt at the center.
 |
2.
Place the belt on the umbilicus.
 |
3.
Wrap it to the ribs.
.
 |
A
4. Cross it at the back keeping the belt
held with the left hand under the other to prevent the belt
from being twisted. |
|
5. Bring the left hand to the abdomen,
keeping it as it is. |
A
Copyright ©
1966-2000 International
Taekwon-Do Federation |
