First Degree Black Belt

Dan: 1st

Symbolism: Darkness with a glimmer of light

Meaning: As the oak tree further explores its roots, it finds the roots have grown even deeper into the dark depths of the earth and it needs help to find the truth. The tree begins to produce new seeds so new oak trees can begin their growth journey and their search for the truth. As the tree dies, it turns black and falls back to the earth to nourish the new seedlings of the future.

Black represents the passing on of life, a new completion of the life cycle, now acting as a growth medium for new students. It is a sign of accomplishments of the past and preparation for the future.

Black is the opposite of white, it is the absorption of all colors, and it is the color of the unknown. The first degree black belt is the opposite of the white belt, is a combination of all the colors of the previous belts, and signifies there is much more that is unknown. Filled with the knowledge of all previous belts, the student now understands that black belt is not the end of their journey, it is just the beginning of another phase; there is so much more to learn. As Winston Churchill once said, "It is merely the end of the beginning." To learn more students must explore the depths of their Taekwondo roots. In the darkness there is a glimmer of light that signifies that a new day is coming and a new journey is beginning. That glimmer is indicated by one gold stripe on the ends of the belt. The new black belt now begins a new journey to learn the "way of Taekwondo" and he or she begins training new students, new seeds that need nourishment.

Ever notice that when you are looking for something you seem to find it at the last place you look. Actually, this is the logical outcome since you quit looking after you find it. In seeking the truths of Taekwondo, you will find them in the last place you look—the last belt you earned. If you keep looking, keep training, and keep earning belts, you will discover even more truths.

Stripes: The first degree black belt has one gold stripe at one or both ends of the belt. For each increasing dan, another gold stripe is added to the end or ends of the belt.

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