Is the rank of Great Grandmaster recognized in any worldwide Tae Kwon Do governing body?

Answer 1

To my knowledge, there is no "official" title recognized on paper, but the term is known and used throughout the Taekwondo community, and does have a specific meaning which is understood, accepted, and honored by most Taekwondo experts.

To answer this question in detail, it must first be understood that "titles" are not "ranks" in Taekwondo. Thus, terms such as "Instructor," "Master," "Grandmaster" and "Great Grandmaster" are labels used to indicate a Black Belt teacher's position within a particular organization, and do not equate a promotion in belt rank, or degree.

Secondly, the terms of "Instructor," "Master," and "Grandmaster" are English words, thus they were originally used as a translation of what is meant by common words in the Korean language, and the Taekwondo terminology to refer to a person who teaches students (Gyosa: 교사), an expert who teaches Black Belts and is the head of a school (sabeom: 사범), and a leader who guides, directs, and teaches the school masters (Kwanjang: 관장), which is equivalent to a "superintendent" of schools.

With that in mind, the terms of Master and Grandmaster have been fully accepted in the Korean culture (including in modern Korean dictionaries), and adopted to the Martial Art of Taekwondo, but are only defined by guidelines within each organization, and will differ to some degree from one organization to the next. The Korean term for a school which teaches a uniquely different curriculum, and is founded and led by one person is a "Kwan." This is based in the Korean language to the concept of a "clan" or "family" which are related to one another.

Philosophically speaking, a Sabeom (school master) is like the father in one home (the "Dojang," or "school"). The Kwanjang (Grandmaster) is like the Grandfather of the family. If you are fortunate to have your Grandfather's father still alive, he would be called your "Great-Grandfather." Thus, it is a natural comparision to use the term "Great Grandmaster" to refer to your Grandmaster's teacher.

(note: When a junior rank is talking to, or about a senior rank, they should use the honorific form of the title which would then end in the suffix "nim" ( 님 ). This means that the person speaking is acknowledging the other person as being their senior: Gyeosanim, Sabeomnim, and Kwanjangnim. However, you never use the honorific suffix of "nim" when referring to yourself or to a junior.)