The Meaning of The Black Belt

By Tim Posynick

                  At an early age we are taught by society, that everything we see, feel, hear and taste, has a label or title. For the novice martial arts student, this is no different. Early in training students learn that each movement has a specific name and meaning. These names, or labels, must be used at all times when training.  One of the first labels, or titles, that the novice student quickly associates is the word used for teacher, or instructor. The Japanese styles call the instructor, Sensei, which means big brother or teacher, the Korean styles use the term Sabomnim, which directly translated means senior. The Chinese styles use the term Sifu, which also means big brother or teacher. To the novice student this title has great meaning, although maybe misinterpreted. This newly learned title becomes synonymous instantly with any person wearing a black belt, even if he/she is not the main instructor.  This usually meant, to the novice, that this person must retain superhuman qualities and abilities. Without knowing the instructor as a person, he/she is automatically associated with this vision of being superhuman, just because of the black cloth around the waist. 

                Early lessons burn deep into the memory. First impressions are usually the ones kept the longest. This is nothing to be ashamed of. The martial arts teach us that in order to learn good lessons, sometimes you will learn some bad ones. As training progresses and time goes by, attitudes and symbols change. At first, the black belt meant, to the novice, that this person wearing this cloth must be infallible. After a few years of training the title of the black belt and the meaning associated with the physical symbol of the black colored cloth, comes to represent a figure that, does retain some great skills, but underneath is just a person. This " mythical" figure becomes a friend, a mentor and a coach, who can help walk you along the road of training, possibly keep you from faltering too badly, and on occasion, reward you with a colored cloth around the waist.

                As the novice grows in skill and knowledge, he/she comes to realize personal goals. At first it is to reach the coveted position of "black belt", this at the time, was the ultimate destination. The further the student travels the training road, the less concerned he/she becomes with reaching the "end of the road".  As a maturing person, the novice learns that there are many lessons to experience. The goals now change focus. The primary goal, now, is to learn and experience all one can as the road is traveled, without thought as to how long the journey will take. To know that no matter how long the novice trains, or how many times the black belt is reached, there are still lessons to be learned and new training to be experienced. The journey never ends. The novice learns that the black belt is not some mythical creature forged in the fires of eternity, but merely a human being, no different from anyone else. A person that, through personal sacrifice and discipline, has reached a personal plateau, one of many, along the road of training and knowledge, which just happens to be represented with a black piece of cloth around the waist.

After some years of training, and learning different meanings regarding the black belt and all aspects of the martial arts, the student may still not have come to one true definition, which honestly describes the black belt. This is yet another lesson which is offered up along the journey. Through maturity, the student will learn that, one can not give something like the black belt, which is as versatile and diverse as the people that wear it, one true meaning. Each person that wears the belt adds a unique and diverse quality to the overall image of who or what a black belt represents.

                For a direct example of what it takes to be a black belt, the Korean system of Tae Kwon Do will be used as example.  This particular system has nine levels of black belt expertise, which is based on personal skill, time spent training and time spent actively teaching others. Following is a list of the nine levels and the pattern or form, which is required for each level. Forms or Hyung in Korean, are a set pattern of movements, which teach basic coordination of techniques, balance of movement, personal focus and discipline, and basic technique combinations for self-defense use;

As this list shows, first level black belt is not the end of training; in fact it is merely a new beginning. With each new level there is more to learn, more to experience.

Following is a list of accumulated personal traits that are considered a black belt should retain;

Six Aspects of Composition;
The Make up of a Black Belt

  #1. Confidence. As a black belt one should project an air of confidence at all times, which doesn't say, " I'm awesome", but says I am confident with who I am and what I know. A black belt should endeavor to project a positive attitude at all times.

#2. Control. At all times a black belt's maturity should show through personal control. A black belt should never lose his/her temper in front of novice students or other black belts, and should never misuse or abuse the skills he/she has developed.

 #3. Discipline. A black belt’s discipline should show at all times in the training environment. A black belt never argues with other black belts or other students. The black belt should always give 100% effort when training. This does not mean that the black belt must work harder than everyone else, but merely giving 100% effort at all times.

#4. Respect. Being a black belt does not automatically endow the person wearing it the ultimate form of respect. This must be earned through showing by example to give the novice student an image to model him/herself by. In order to earn this respect the black belt must first respect him/herself, the art that is being practiced, the availability of having a location to train, and foremost the privilege of having others to train with. The black belt must also respect all other forms of martial arts, as they are all equal with each other.  Finally none of these examples listed should take precedence over another, as they all deserve equal amounts of respect.

  #5. Humility. This trait walks hand in hand with maturity. The most honored and respected of black belts should also be the most humble. A black belt should never boast or brag of personal accomplishments. He/she should always have time for novice students to share personal experiences and training tips. The truly humble black belt should never feel belittled to be able to put a white belt back on at any time.

#6. Integrity. This trait should run deep within all those who where the black cloth. The black belt should not ever compromise, him/herself, the art that is practiced, or the fellow martial artists that train with him/her. A true black belt will always keep an open mind, be devoted to the art, and never in any way discredit another style or martial artist. In essence integrity is the sum of the first five traits; confidence, control, discipline, respect and humility. These traits build a person's character and strengthens the over all personality in a positive and life long manner.