Tying Up Loose Ends
The idea of a belting system in martial arts is a relatively recent invention, dating from the late 19th century. The systematic use of colored belts to denote rank was first used by the founder of judo in the 1800’s, who devised the colored belting system using obi, a sash for traditional Japanese dress. The only colors used at this time where white and black, denoting only two ranks, the student (white) and the Dan/master (black). It wasn’t until the early 1900’s that an expanded belting system using other colors was created to award rank. Other martial arts including those that did not traditionally have a formalized rank structure soon adopted a variation of this ranking system.
Rank and belts are not equivalent between arts, styles, or even within organizations. In some arts, a black belt is expected in three years, while in others ten years may be common. For some arts, testing for black belt is commonly more rigorous and more centralized that for lower grades where as other arts the belt rank often comes more or less automatically with time training.
Tying Belts-
Take Pride:
While knowing how to tie your belt properly before practicing martial arts may not seem like an important detail, it is actually one of the fundamental skills for beginning your training. Not properly tying ones belt is disrespect towards the belt. Have pride, honor, and respect towards not only your belt but all belts in the art. Take care of your belt. Never allow your belt to lye on the floor or be thrown in a bag.
Have Respect:
It is important to have your belt tied and ready to go before you begin to train. Come to your training prepared and ready to receive the knowledge you will gain from your instructor and partner. Tying or re-tying your belt in front of your instructor or training partner is not proper. Always turn away from them if you need to re-adjust or re-tie your belt. Not having your belt and not having your belt properly tied at the time that training starts is disrespectful toward not only your instructor and fellow students but to yourself as well.
Have Knowledge:
When tying the belt, you must first make absolutely certain that it hangs evenly from the middle before wrapping it around your waist. This act symbolizes the importance of balance and reminds the martial artist that the “way” can only ever be found after physical training is augmented by non-physical study & application. This is why it is important that we train in both physical conditioning & moral philosophy of strength, respect, discipline and honor.
The belt is first wrapped around the waist by placing the middle of it just below the umbilicus. This action serves to remind the us that we are both the giver & receiver of life and therefore, we must embrace both respect & compassion with all those whom we come into contact.
When we cross the belt behind our back it makes an “X” and reminds the martial artist to be prepared for what can go on behind our own backs. Bringing the belt around to the front reminds us that what goes around comes around and that we reap only that which we sow; hence, the emphasis upon morality and ‘right thinking.’ Making an “X” once again in the front of the body, before tying the belt, is also symbolic. It helps us remember that what goes on behind one’s back can go on under our noses as well, and that we must be prepared to negotiate life’s difficulties from any position.
Bringing one end of the belt up under the waist and the other down, before tying the knot, serves to remind the martial artist of the only two directions in which we can travel and the importance of continuing onwards and upwards in an effort to constantly improve ourselves. Every time we tie the knot in our belt we should be reminded of how important it is to tighten our resolve in all matters. Finally, at the end of this ritual we find ourselves making absolutely certain that the belt is perfectly even.”
Washing the belt
Traditionally, before the colored belting system was established, all students of the art were given white belts. Over time, training and hard work the belt would become black from dirt, sweat and blood. Once a students belt was completely black, they were considered black belts of the art due to the time and work they had put in to their training. Today, in some arts and schools there is the opinion that the belt should not be washed. This stems from the idea that by doing that one would “wash away the knowledge” or “wash one’s energy away”.
Conclusion:
Respect all aspects of your belt. Treat it as a part of you, a part of your life and a part of the way you want to be perceived by others. It’s a great accomplishment to posses a colored belt. It represents all the time put in, the knowledge gained and the person you are. Embrace it…
