KickChick Posted January 31, 2002 Posted January 31, 2002 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. _________________ 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 Posted January 31, 2002 Posted January 31, 2002 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 & OwnerWest Yorkshire Kobudo Academy2nd Kyu (Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, IOKA UK)
Old Kicker Posted March 7, 2002 Posted March 7, 2002 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 Posted March 18, 2002 Posted March 18, 2002 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! . 1st dan Tae Kwon DoYellow Belt Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu16 Years OldGirls kick butt!
Deathcometh Posted March 21, 2002 Posted March 21, 2002 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 Posted March 21, 2002 Posted March 21, 2002 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 Posted March 24, 2002 Posted March 24, 2002 That's very interesting and well thought-out. However, I avoid belts, martial arts or otherwise! Dave
Deathcometh Posted March 26, 2002 Posted March 26, 2002 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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