"Educate the young to create heroic
leaders" -General Choi, Hong Hi, Founder of TKD |
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THE SIGNIFICANCE OF BELTS |
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There are six
belts: white, yellow, green, blue, red and black. White is given to beginners
and black is given to students who have progressed through the grades and
have a solid foundation for learning the techniques of Taekwon-Do. The
definition of the belts are as follows: White Belt
Signifies innocence, as that of the beginning student who has no previous
knowledge of Taekwon-Do. Yellow Belt
Signifies the earth from which a plant sprouts and takes root as the
foundation of Taekwon-Do is being laid. Green Belt
Signifies the plant's growth as Taekwon-Do skills begin to develop. Blue Belt Signifies
the Heaven towards which the plant matures into a towering tree as training
in Taekwon-Do progresses. Red Belt
Signifies Danger, cautioning the the student to exercise control and warning
the opponent to stay away. Black Belt Opposite
of white, therefore signifying the maturity and proficiency in Taekwon-Do,
also indicates the wearer's imperviousness to darkness and fear. One of the
greatest misconceptions within the martial arts is the notion that all black
belt holders are experts. It is understandable that those unacquainted with
the martial arts might make this equation. However,
student should certainly recognize that this is not always the case. Too
often, novice black belt holders advertise themselves as experts and eventually
even convince themselves. The first
degree black belt holder has usually learned enough techniques to defend
himself against a single opponent. He can be compared to a fledgling who has
acquired enough feathers to leave the nest and fend for himself. The first
degree is a starting point. The student has merely built a foundation. The
job of building the house lies ahead. The novice
black belt holder will now really begin to learn technique. Now that he has
mastered the alphabet, he can begin to read. Years of hard work and study
await him before he can even begin to consider himself an instructor and
expert. A perceptive student will, at this stage, suddenly realize how very
little he knows. The black
belt holder also enters a new era of responsibility. Though a freshman, he
has entered a strong honorable fraternity of the black belt holders of the
entire world: and his actions inside and outside the training hall will be
carefully scrutinized. His conduct will reflect on all black belt holders and
he must constantly strive to set an example for all grade holders. Some will
certainly advance into the expert stages. However, far too many will believe
the misconception and will remain novice, mentally and technically. |
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30 Willand Drive | Somersworth, NH 03878 Phone: (603) 534-3868 | [email protected] |
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