Within the Center for Humane Living we recently had a belt advancement test.  Around test time I am always reminded of the traditional explanation of the meaning behind each of the belt colors.  In most of the ancient martial arts, there were only two belt colors.  Martial artists were initially promoted to the rank of beginner or white belt when they had proven to their Sensei that there were truly committed to learning the art.  As a reward for that commitment they were given a white tobak (gi) with a white belt.  They trained diligently for many years without any formal promotions or recognition until the time that it was determined that they were prepared enough to test for the rank of expert or black belt.  During this long difficult journey from beginner to expert, the crisp, pristine white belt that they were given at the onset of their training became soiled with the blood, sweat and tears of their training.  Gradually their belts became progressively stained darker and darker until they appeared black.  This was the original "black belt" or maybe this is how the ancient master's came to be known as "black belts".
 
            So why now does almost every martial art utilize a colored belt system?  What do the various colors or belt levels truly represent or symbolize?  Modern day martial arts training, especially in Western society, almost universally utilize colored belt systems in order to periodically reward students and provide positive reinforcement for their progression within the art.  This has continued to evolve over the years because within our society, we have developed an innate need for consistent positive feedback. Without it, many students become discouraged, unmotivated, even bored and they simply quit training.
 
            At the Center for Humane Living we train students in traditional Tang Soo Do and we utilize a traditional 10 belt (gup) system to symbolize the journey of the beginner to the advanced martial artist.  As with many aspects of the martial arts, the colors of the belts within our system are representative of naturally occurring PROCESSES found in nature.  The belt colors utilize the analogy of the developing cherry tree to symbolize the development of students.  Most martial artists do not realize that this same analogy is also used in Asian societies to explain the process of achieving enlightenment.  This parallel is not by mistake.  The goal of traditional martial arts training is to use martial arts instruction as a means of inspiring physical, emotional, psychological and spiritual growth.  In short, martial arts training is aimed at inspiring a transformation within each student into a more confident, mindful and even enlightened individual.
 
            Just as in ancient times, beginning students are still promoted to white belt and receive their tobaks as soon as they prove to their Sensei their commitment to learning the art.  The white belt within the cherry blossom analogy, represents the pure snow overlying the fertile ground in which a young cherry tree will begin to grow and develop.  In this stage of the martial arts, students are naïve.  They approach the martial arts with a child like mind and have hope for the journey that they are about to begin.
 
            The second promotion students receive is to orange belt which represents the seed of the cherry tree.  The seed contains all of the genetic material necessary to grow the new cherry tree.  The seed is physically and symbolically a part of the parent tree, just as the Sensei gives a part of himself or herself to their students.  The seed is planted firmly in the ground and the gardener begins the process of watering and nurturing the tree.  Initially, the seed develops a root system, or foundation, on which it will be able to develop.  Similarly, during this early stage, it is the Sensei's responsibility to build the foundation of the basic techniques and concepts as they care for the needs of the developing students.
 
            The next promotion is from orange belt to yellow belt.  The yellow belt symbolizes the young sapling as it breaks through the ground and begins its long journey upwards.  The leaves of the young tree are still yellow and in this stage the tree is very fragile.  Likewise, martial artists in this stage continue to develop an extensive root system grounded in the basics, but they also begin to learn more advanced techniques and simultaneously the application of the basics.  In this stage, they too are fragile because they may become impatient with the learning process or frustrated by a perceived lack of progress.
 
            As the sapling grows, it begins to assume the complex form of the mature tree.  The green belt represents the mature tree with its plentiful green leaves.  The tree is becoming more self sufficient and is less fragile.  As it grows bigger and stronger, it becomes useful to some because it can provide shade, but this is still far from its full potential.  In this stage, martial artists begin to look and feel like true martial artists because they now have a true comfort when performing some of the basic techniques. Students begin to see a glimpse of the big picture and the transformation that is occurring within them and others around them.
 
            The next belt color is blue and represents the mature tree growing tall towards the beautiful blue sky.  In this stage, the cherry tree begins to blossom.  The flowering tree is beautiful, but the blossoms are transient and the tree is still not really useful except to provide shade for some and to allow others to admire its beauty.  Blue belts are strong and powerful and their techniques are blossoming into beautiful displays of the physical techniques.  The understanding of the psychological and spiritual changes within them is wonderfully apparent to their teachers, but not always fully apparent to the blossoming martial artists.
 
            During the final stages of training of the intermediate martial artist, they are promoted to the rank of red belt.  The red belt represents the cherry tree as it begins to produce fruit.  Initially, the fruit is small, firm and bitter to the taste, but as the fruit matures it becomes larger, soft and sweet.  In this stage, the tree truly becomes useful to others; it provides shade, it is beautiful and strong and begins to produce delectable fruit.  Most importantly, the tree now has the potential to give of itself.  The seeds contained within its own fruit now have the potential to plant seeds which can grow into new trees so that the PROCESS can begin all over again.
 
            As you can see from the analogy of the cherry tree, there is a specific PROCESS for developing a beautiful fruit producing tree and also in developing an enlightened, inspired, honorable martial artist.  It is important to understand the importance of the PROCESS.  Just as the gardener cannot speed up the process of the cherry tree seed growing and maturing into a beautiful fruit producing tree, both the martial artist and the Sensei can not rush the process of the beginning student growing into a mature, giving, peaceful, honorable warrior.  Martial artists need to understand and respect the PROCESS.  It is through the natural PROCESS of becoming a black belt that martial artists have the opportunity to become transformed and enlightened.  Enjoy the PROCESS of your individual journey within the martial art and remember that the real purpose of the belt is only to hold up your pants.
KAIZEN!!!!