What is the meaning of ninth cup in tae kwon do?

Answer 1

If this is referring to the 9th grade level of ranking in Taekwondo, then the term "cup" (sometimes written as "kup" or "gup") is more accurately translated as geup (긒). Ninth grade or "gu geup" (구 긒), is a beginner level often reflected by the student wearing a white belt, or yellow belt. It means the student is new to training, or just starting the basics. There are often nine grades of color belt advancement toward the Black Belt, so the 9th grade is at, or near the beginning (white belt is sometimes considered mu geup "no grade, or sip geup "10th grade"). Some instructors and Taekwondo organizations will attach various philosophical meanings to the color of the belt, such as white representing snow, and yellow representing a seed. For this type of meaning, the student should ask their own instructor what is taught at their dojang.