New students begin at white belt, 10^th Geup, and then work their way towards 1^st Geup, Red Belt with 3 stripes. After 1^st Geup is 1^st Dan, Midnight Blue Belt. While most styles use a black belt as a symbol of their highest level, the Moo Duk Kwan uses a Midnight Blue Belt. This symbolizes our inability to reach perfection. Just as the midnight sky is infinite, so is our ability to learn. It typically takes 2-4 years to reach first Geup.