It's coming up to that time again, a time when some of the students get ready to test for 1st degree black belt. It's a great time in Taekwon-Do life when this time comes around and years of training finally have an end in sight.

End? That is the puzzle. Is it the end or is it only the beginning? Well that depends what you intend to do with your black belt and your training afterwards.

The black belt signifies a time in your training when all your preparations get recognised and you only begin on your journey. It also symbolises all that time that you have spent with your club and instructor training, sweating and learning. A black belt is one way a mutual bond. Well to some anyway. To others it is a status symbol, a trophy and a misunderstood level.

Other than my own thoughts on what black belt means, I think General Choi's opinion of what he wanted Taekwon-Do black belts to be is most important, so here is what he wrote about it. It can be found on page 727 of the condensed encyclopedia of Taekwon-Do.

First Degree - Expert or Novice?

One of the greatest misconceptions within the martial arts is the notion that all black belts holders are experts. It is understandable that those unacquainted with the martial arts might make this equation. However, students should certainly recognise that this is not always the case. Too often, novice black belt holders advertise themselves as experts and eventually even convince themselves.

The first the degree black belt holder has usually learned enough technique to defend him or herself against a single opponent. He or she can be confirmed fledgling who has acquired enough feathers to leave the nest and fend for him or her self. The first degree is a starting point. The student as merely built a foundation. The job of building the house lies ahead.

The novice black belt holder will now really begin to learn technique. Now that he or she has mastered the alphabet, he or she can begin to read. Years of hard work and study await him or her before he can even begin to consider him or herself an instructor and expert.

A perceptive student will, at this stage, suddenly realise how very little they know.

The black belt holder also enters a new era of responsibility. Though a beginner, they have entered a strong honourable fraternity of the black belt holders of the entire world; and his or her actions inside AND outside the training hall will be carefully scrutinised.

Their conduct will reflect on all black belt holders and he or she must constantly strive to set an example for all grade holders.

Some will certainly advance into the expert stages. However, far too many will believe the misconception and will remain in novice, mentally and technically.

General Choi Hong Hi 1918 - 2002

Founder of Taekwon-Do