Shen Lung Kung Fu Rank System

     Whereas many martial arts, such as Karate and Tae Kwon Do, use colored belts to show rank, Kung Fu uses wide, colored sashes. The sash is tied around the waist with the knot at the point of the left hip.

                            Color:                                        Rank:
White Sash: Novice
Orange Sash: Student of the Spiritual Forms
Yellow Sash: Student of the Mental Forms
Green Sash: Student of the Physical Forms
Blue Sash: Disciple
Black Sash: Instructor of the Physical Forms
Silver Sash: Instructor of the Mental Forms
Gold Sash: Instructor of the Spiritual Forms


     There are a number of different requirements for advancement through each rank. Compared to many martial arts, progression in Shen Lung Kung Fu is very slow. A dedicated student, with a basic level of physical fitness, can usually expect to achieve the rank of Novice in 4-6 months, and progess through each student rank in 12-24 months. In addition to the standard ranks, there are three Honor sashes, detailed below:

Award of Honor
 Between Blue and Black Sashes
 Member of the school uses art to physically defend themselves or other; art must be used only when all other options are exhausted
Award of Arms
 Between Black and Silver Sashes
 Member of the school has achieved mastery of a weapon; Bearer is entitled to be addressed as "Master"
Award of Patronage
 Between Silver and Gold Sashes
 Person (usually outside the school) who unselfishly gives something very significant to the school, to help insure the art continues to be taught and learned. Bearer is entitled to be addressed as "Patron"

    Most people in the school do not earn Honor sashes, and they are outside the normal rank structure. The Honor sashes are all colored red. The "between color A and color B" marks where the sash-bearer fits in the hierarchy of respect, but an Honor sash does not give the right to do things someone with a comparable sash in the normal ranks can do - that is, Novices or Students who have earned an Award of Honor cannot award ranks or learn Disciple-level material, even though they are held in similar esteem.

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