The belts

THE BELTS

White Belt
Represents purity. The innocence of an individual about
the art itself and about the specific system that each
particular Master teaches. It represents the
open-mindedness that a student must have to learn
anything new; to be able to understand the myriad of
complexities of daily life.
The white belt is symbolic of an empty cup that has
nothing in it but is always ready and able to receive. The
white belt has no preconceived though to hinder any
new thought being absorbed. There is abundant room for
learning. A white belt is like a piece of white paper
allowing anything to be written on it. There is total trust
and faith in the Master that he will guide the student
towards optimal development. In order to learn anything
in life, an individual must possess the curiosity, openness
and intensity of a white belt.

Yellow Belt
Is representative of gold, which means truth. It is
important that an individual be truthful with himself as it
eliminates egotism and creates personal contentment.
The concept of the seed is additionally symbolized by the
colour yellow. It is only a quality seed that can grow into
a quality plant. However, the foundation has to be solid
so that future growth is possible. The planted seed
cannot expect to grow into something that it is not. An
apple seed cannot grow into an orange tree – we have
to accept who we are as individuals and try to excel to
the best of our abilities.

Green Belt
The green belt signifies growth. Since we live for the
future, growth is necessary and essential for living.
Growth is normally associated with changes and we must
accept those changes even though they may cause
feelings of insecurity.
Memory of our own achievements in Taekwondo serves
many functions. As a green belt, it must serve as a
reference for our development, but must not hinder our
progress. For example, being a gold medallist in last
year’s competition should not deter you from training
even harder for the next competition, so that your
performance will be more polished and refined than when
the gold medal was won. Therefore, growth is reflected
in the individual.
Green in a plant usually represents life. It reminds us that
we are living, and living is experiencing the future as little
bits of "presentness" occurring one after another.
Re-experiencing the past continuously is not living; it is a
state of stagnancy, a state of rigidity, a state of death.

Blue Belt
The blue belt is symbolic of the sky. Although our naked
eye can see only a portion of the vast heavens, it does
not represent all that there is.
The color of blue representatively depicts the mind and
the mental depth or maturity potential of an individual.
Like the sea, we cannot see how deep the water is nor
the continuously moving current underneath the calm
surface. It is our determination that gives us the ability
to conquer difficult tasks. Therefore, we should train
ourselves to be strong mentally as well as physically.
Tough times don’t last, but a tough mind does.

Red Belt
The red belt represents the sun - the brightness and the
energy that it projects - and the physical acts of the
individual. It is only through physical activity that an
individual is given identity through his or her mental
depth and capabilities. It is through the physical training
in Taekwondo that an education of the mind and
re-evaluation of self occurs. By overcoming physical
setback through perseverance and determination, the
development of the indomitable spirit takes place – the
ultimate goal of Taekwondo.
Acquiring the indomitable spirit through the art’s physical
training and the internalization of the individual’s mental
attitude enables the student of Taekwondo to deal with
setbacks and difficult situations. Through our indomitable
spirit, we are capable of evaluating, conquering and
bouncing back from disillusion or disappointments. The
red belt also represents limitation, which is the opposite
of the limitless blue belt. In contrast, limitation permits
the individual to evaluate their progress. It prepares us
to reach our short term goals which, in turn, leads to
achieving an ultimate goal.

Black Belt
The black belt combines all of the belt colors and thus
represents all of the different concepts of the proceeding
colors. It represents the commitment to the value
system of the colors and dignity, which comes from pride
in oneself. However, pride in oneself is achieved only by
overcoming difficult tasks through physical achievement,
mental determination or a combination of both.
Degree of black belt represents the different levels of
mental intensity of an individual and the ability to use
these for successful living.

Written by Emma Vetsch, age 15.