What is a Black Belt?

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A bone of contention within the martial communities. Not just in the West, but today in the East, it’s source or origins resides in the East, there is not one accepted bonafide and universal definition or understanding toward what a black belt is. In essence, it can be said that a black belt is:

“In East Asian martial arts, the black belt denotes a high competence in the martial art.”

What happens in essence is a muddying of the waters when you start to define, “expertise; high competence; mastery, etc.” As with most things of human nature, it mostly depends on a variety of ever-changing fluid answers to these questions. Literally, an individual belief that will differ somewhat to greatly between said individuals. 

To give you some idea’s let me state my, personal, definition:

“A Black Belt is a symbol, it symbolizes hard work, dedication, and discipline in a profession, discipline, that each person tackles from their own heart, mind and body to achieve and complete self-imposed goals, objectives and milestones that promote personal beliefs, experiences and accomplishments without hinderance from others yet though the guidance of others.” -cejames

I deliberately left out anything that might infer specifics that are arbitrary in nature toward a more restrictive economically driven effort. It is not about money; it is not about business; it is not about others; it is not about ego; it is not about status; it is not about expertise; it is not about mastery but it is about a wholehearted effort of the individual. 

It boils down to the individual, it is an accumulation of effort, sweat and personal accomplishment that one feels can be symbolized by the coveted black belt. There are not set, static, requirements or requisites but a feeling in the individual as to what they have achieved, overall, in their concerted efforts. 

See/Read also:

What is a Black Belt? https://karatequestions.blogspot.com/2015/04/what-is-black-belt.html

Symbolism - The Coveted Black Belt https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2011/06/symbolism-coveted-black-belt.html

Sho-dan https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2011/11/sho-dan.html

Wearing the Black Belt - Comfortable? https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2013/04/wearing-black-belt-comfortable.html

Talisman Thinking https://isshindo.blogspot.com/2015/03/talisman-thinking.html

Bibliography (Click the link)