Philosophy of the BELT

KickChick · Black Belt

In eastern philosophy, the concept of trinity (heaven, earth, and people) signifies the harmony of the universe. The parts of the uniform (jacket, pants, and belt) form a trinity. The jacket symbolizes heaven; the pants symbolize earth, and the belt symbolizes the "person" that ties it all together. The colors of the belt also form a trinity. If you think of a human being as a trinity (consisting of a head, the body, and the extremities) then the body is at the center of a human being, and the waist is at the center of the body. Tying the belt around the waist signifies the desire to organize ones self and to unite the human trinity.

The belt helps students develop their ki/chi (inner energy) through the process of collecting and dispersing energy within their bodies. As the student puts on the belt, it encircles the waist two times and then the two ends meet at the center of the waist (tanjon) where they are tied in a triangular shaped (trinity) knot that denotes the oneness of a person. The tanjon, considered the source of ki/life force/vital energy, is a point about three inches below the navel and deep inside the body and is thought to be the center of the self. As a practical matter, it the approximate center of balance of the body. Part of the knot usually touches the body in front of the tanjon, reminding the wearer of his or her personal source of ki or power. Thus, while putting on the belt, the student encircles and collects all energy from without and within into the tanjon and locks it there with a knot so he or she can disperse the energy freely throughout the body to achieve power, harmony, order, and enlightenment while practicing in my case, TKD.

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1st dan Black Belt Tae Kwon Do (ITF)/ CardioKickbox/Fitness Instructor

[ This Message was edited by: KickChick on 2002-03-19 09:01 ]

Tobias_Reece · Brown Belt

Hey Kickchick

I like that, I'll have to spread it onto my students at the end of class.

Thanks

Tobias

_________________
"You Are Never Given A Dream Without Also Being Given The Power To Make It True. You May Have To Work For It, However"

Principal Kobudo Instructor & Owner
West Yorkshire Kobudo Academy
2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)

Old Kicker · White Belt

Hey KickChick,

We went over that in class last night. We had the benefit of our senior instructor who went over it for about 20 minutes with us. Interesting stuff.

three60roundhouse · Pre-Black Belt

I think that would be a good thing to pass on to my friends at the dojang. I always thougt the belt was just a pretty piece of cotton holding the pants up!

.

Deathcometh · Orange Belt

Kickchick you couldn't have said it better. I believe thats why we all get into Karate in the first place even if we never know it.

Phantasmatic · Purple Belt

That is a very nicely put representation of the belt, i should tell my sensei about that! He would enjoy telling everyone in the dojo.

Thanks

_________________
"Which one is more foolish, the fool or the fool who follows him?" - Obi Wan Kenobi

Singularity · Yellow Belt

That's very interesting and well thought-out. However, I avoid belts, martial arts or otherwise!

Dave

Deathcometh · Orange Belt

Singularity I think your right belts aren't needed. But it's all the media about whether someone is a black belt or brown.

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