The Dobok “도복” (Do means “way” and bok means “robe” or “training clothes”) is the uniform worn by Taekwondo practitioners serves as an identity of the sport.
During the formative years of taekwondo, the dobok was completely white with the cross-over front jacket. However, in the 1970s, to distinguish the ranking of black belt from the colour belt practitioner, the uniform was altered by adding black trim to the V-shaped collar, while red and black trim was appended to the poom or junior black belt uniform.
The Dobok instills pride and self-confidence for practitioner who wear it. The Dobok, and its colour belts, identifies the degree of skill and cultural education attained. The Dobok symbolises the heritage and traditions of Taekwondo. Grades and degrees indicated by the colour of the belt create incentive and preserve humility. Hence, it must be kept clean and in good repair to project the right image. Soiled, creased and ostentatiously decorated uniforms are not consistent to the discipline of the sport.
While dirty uniforms are unhygienic, crumpled ones reflect laziness and indifference. Uniforms with all kinds of decorations are not normally associated with humility.
The pants are fitted loosely and comfortably to provide free movement. The length extends to the ankle. The colour of the pants is also white. White for the upper garment and pants signifies purity.
The belt, about 4cm in width and long enough to go round the body twice, is wrapped about the waist and knotted in front. The two ends of the belt are about the middle of the thigh. It’s colour indicates the level of proficiency reached by the practitioner.
Although the belt system has changed slightly over the year, the STF has decided to stick to what was recommended by the Technical Committee after their study mission in various Asian countries in 1982.
In Singapore, members are required to observe the following rules on uniform attachments and design.
- The words ‘Singapore Taekwondo Federation’ are to be emblazoned on the back of the upper garments.
- The logo of the Singapore Taekwondo Federation is to be adorned on the left upper sleeve of the uniform.
- The emblem of the Club, if available, is to be sewn on the left breast of the uniform.
- The T-shirt worn by female practitioners must be round-neck and plain white.
- No other decorations are allowed on the uniform without the approval of the STF.
POOMSAE UNIFORM (Y-SHAPED COLLAR)
The poomsae uniform was officially introduced by the World Taekwondo Federation in July 2011 in the 6th World Taekwondo Poomsae Championships in Vladivostok, Russia.
In 2006, the WTF set up the poomsae development committee to create a new uniform for poomsae competition. The aim is to visualise the philosophical history of Taekwondo by using Korean traditional images, patterns and colours in the new Taekwondo uniforms to maintain the uniqueness of Korean Traditional clothing. The uniforms represent the different levels and are divided according to traditional Korean philosophy along with the five tenets of the sport.
