WHITE BELT: Represents the beginning.
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 color of 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: 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 Tae Kwon Do 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 years competition should not deter you from training even harder for the next competition so that your next performance will be more polished and refined that when the gold medal was won. Therefore, growth is reflected in that 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 "present ness" 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: 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 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 we as physically. Tough times don't last, but a tough mind does.
RED BELT: Represents the sun, the brightness, the energy that it projects, 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 Tae Kwon Do that an education of the mind and a 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 Tae Kwon Do. Acquiring the indomitable spirit through the art's physical training and the internalization of the individual's mental attitude enables the student of Tae Kwon Do to deal with setbacks and difficult situations. Through our indomitable spirit, we are capable of evaluating, conquering and bouncing back from disillusions or disappointments. The red belt also represents limitations, which is opposite to the limitless blue belt. In contrast, limitations permit an individual to evaluate his or her progress. It prepares us to reach our short-term goals, which, in turn, leads to achieving an ultimate goal.
BLACK BELT: Combines all the belt colors and thusly, 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.
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"IF I COME ... I'M BRINGING THE PAIN WITH ME"
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