While colored belt system has been adopted by almost every martial art since then, they do not all use the same colors. However, the meaning of each belt color does appear to be a fairly universal meaning related to growth regardless of the martial art style or school within a specific style.
While other martial arts may have additional colors beyond our Han Moo Kwan Club, in this blog I will focus on the belt colors we use in our club and their meaning. I selected several references to demonstrate the fact the meaning is fairly universal.
White belts are given to beginner students of the martial arts. White is a symbol of birth and beginning, indicating that the student is just starting to gain knowledge [Ref. 1]. It signifies innocence or purity, and indicates a lack of knowledge for the mind to have true control over the body. [Ref. 2].
Green belts signify the growth of the seedling as it grows from the earth, reaching toward the sun and begins to transform into a recognizable plant [Ref. 1]. It represents the beginning growth of the seed as knowledge and skills begin to develop [Ref. 2].
Blue belts represent the sky and signifies continued growth. A student moves upward in his/her development, just as a plant reaches up into the blue sky as it grows [Ref. 1]. It represents the growth and maturing of the young plant and how it continues its skyward growth toward the heavens. This correlates to the student starting to solidify skills and knowledge as training progresses [Ref. 2]. And the student is beginning to understand the fruits of his/her hard work as a beginner [Ref. 3].
Brown belts represent the ripening of the seed, a maturing and harvesting process. [Ref. 3].The student will begin to see the benefits of his/her work, like a farmer reaping his crop at harvest [Ref. 1].
Black belts are the level of training where all of the previous belt colors merge into one color. A black belt signifies proficiency and maturity in taekwondo knowledge and skill [Ref. 2]. It is popularly said that ancient martial artists' white belts would become black with dirt over years of training, but this story is likely just that [Ref. 1]. Black signifies the darkness beyond the Sun. A black belt seeks new, more profound knowledge of the Art. As he/she begins to teach others, he/she plants new seeds and helps them grow and mature. His/her students, many whom will form roots deep into the Art, blossom and grow through the ranks in a never-ending process of self-growth, knowledge, and enlightenment [Ref. 3].
So, as mentioned in many previous blogs and in class, martial arts is a journey of learning and self-discovery and sharing that knowledge with others. In the end it is not about the belt color you wear but an indication of where you are at in the journey.
Regards,
Kelly
“Black belt is not something you get; it is something you become”. ~ Warrior Spirit
References:
1. What
Are the Colors of Karate Belts in Order of Achievements? (azcentral.com), retrieved 11/27/2020
2. Taekwondo
Belts (koreantaekwondo.com), retrieved 11/27/2020
3. The Karate Belt Colors
and Their Meanings (lvkarate.com), retrieved 11/27/2020
