White belt, black belt symbolism

Upon entering a dojo for the first time we all start out as a white belt - lacking in knowledge but full of enthusiasm and eager to learn.

As we grow in ability and understanding we are rewarded for our efforts by being promoted in rank and as a result of our progress the colour of our belt changes.

Eventually given enough time and effort we one day are permitted to take the black belt exam and upon passing we change the colour of our belt for the very last time.

If we stay with karate long enough we will continue to rise in rank Shodan - Nidan - Sandan, and so on - but no matter how high we rise in the Dan ranks our belt will never change we simply keep wearing the same black belt we were given as a Shodan.

Gradually over time with the tying and untying of our belt - class after class year - after year - this belt will slowly start to change until finally one day we look down and notice that after all the years of training the black colour has worn away - exposing underneath it's true colour - white.

What this lesson is suppose to teach us is that in karate we are all really white belts - the colour we wear in class is simply an illusion to feed our ego and make us feel important.

As a true student of karate - a student for life - must learn to put their ego aside and simply study karate for the purpose set out by Master Gichin Funakoshi - that of seeking to perfect our own character - once we come to realize this then colour no longer matters except as a sign of time dedicated to the study of karate-do.

In the end the real truth is that a "true sensei" will find that he or she is respected for who they are - what they know - and how they share their knowledge - not the colour of their belt.

Published with permission of Peter Lindsay, Go Dan (creator of http://www.shotokankarate.ca)