Symbolism - The Coveted Black Belt

Black Belt, a very mysterious piece of material. Mysterious as in the why to its importance and expectations from those who perceive and achieve it as some mysterious point in practice. No other level is considered more important to most, if not all, practitioners of martial arts. It becomes some undefinable symbol to the person who achieves it for it is a pivot point in martial training and practice. In some cases it ends up being the end point but that is another story/post.

What is symbolizes is also a mystery that is perceived individually with no clear cut meaning across the board. It can be said that in one particular and small point it does have a universal meaning. It is what all who venture into martial arts believes is the significant goal of training and practice, to be awarded a black belt.

It begs the question, "What is the symbolism of the coveted black belt?" This is not an easy question to answer and sometime, mostly for me, that answer is not a concrete one but fluid. It is like water. It flows, it ebbs, it rises like the tide then recedes depending on many factors. Those factors tend to be personal. I believe this is important for its symbolism should be personal. Your version must be unique and cannot be determined according to any others perceptions, views, beliefs, and ideologies.

The symbol, "a black belt," is unique, sometimes mysterious to the uninitiated, and a personal view/perception that should be delved into by the wearer or even the perspective wearer. Know the truth behind its awarding, know the truth behind its meaning in the martial arts community, and most important of all know its symbolism to you. You, in the end, are the only source that matters on the wearing of the black belt.

Examples: Think of the kanji we see in martial arts of Asia. They are actually characters that symbolize a meaning that also depends on its usage or association to the topic, idea, etc. If you look them up you find a variety of meaning which depends on its usage and association to other symbols or characters.

Take this quote,

"Symbolism is an expression of the beliefs of the artist. Seek to see a little deeper into the art. The art itself is where a person, artist, can lean what the art and artist is all about at their core." - unknown