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Often we hear people referring to those involved in a Martial Art such as Taekwondo as being a "Black Belt" and wonder what they are referring to. Many see a Black Belt as a sign that the holder is someone who is very good at their style of Martial Art. Others believe that is shows someone is a "good fighter".

The grading system within Taekwondo is far more than just a sign that the holder is good at their sport or has passed a few tests. Many grades must be attained before anyone can become a Black Belt.

There are two main Taekwondo organisations in the world. Within those organisations there also exists a number of styles. I have been involved in the Oh-Do-Kwan style within the World Taekwondo Federation since 2003.

When someone decides to become involved in Taekwondo, they commence as a "White Belt" and are given the opportunity to progress through a number gradings. The advancement to the first grading, a Yellow Belt with one stripe, also know as a 9th Gup, is achieved when the White Belt has achieved a certain standard of achievement of Taekwondo skills.

The student of Taekwondo must also show that they have started to learn the etiquette and terminology of Taekwondo. When we enter the Dojang, or training hall, we remove such attire as shoes, hats and sunglasses and bow to show respect to the Dojang, as it is a place of learning. We attend our Dojang correctly dressed in our Dobok (uniform). The Student has learned the correct stances (Seogi) to perform a number of specific moves that are expected of their grading. These include Jireugi (punching), Chagi (kicking) and Makki (blocking). One must learn the necessary Poomsae, or form, to rise to a higher grading. Starting with Taegeuk Il Jang to attain your second Yellow Belt, the student will learn eight Poomsae as they move from the Yellow Belt to Blue Belt to Red Belt.

Each coloured belt has three levels to attain as one progresses through the gradings, finally becoming a 1st Gup, or Red three. During these gradings, the Taekwondo student has learned to show respect to the higher grades. They bow when they meet a Black Belt, who then also bows in acknowledgement and they correctly address the Kwanjangnim (Master Instructor) and Sabomnin (Instructor). In learning the respect and etiquette, Taekwondo students are made aware that the skills they have learned must never be used outside of the Dojang other than for the safety of themselves and others. They have learned to be humble, yet show pride, to be noble and gentle and forget any mean manners.

Having achieved the level of 1st Gup, the work of the Taekwondo student is really just beginning. Their next level to achieve is that of a Black Belt. Having learned the etiquette and skills to progress to this level, the student will add to the 9 Poomsae already learned by knowing how to perform Koryo, the form required to become a 1st Dan Black Belt. But really the life of a Taekwondo student is just beginning. They will then look to progress from a 1st Dan Black Belt through to a 10th Dan Black Belt.

The promotion of a student of Taekwondo through the various belts is far more than just showing that they learned the skills to hit and kick correctly, they have shown that they have learned to respect life and those around them. It is a progression to help train everyone to become better people.

Learn more about this author, Eric J Taylor.
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