Attaining junior black belt status is an enormously significant feat for any martial artist, marking their mastery of Taekwondo fundamentals and development of their own fighting techniques. Achieve this rank is both rewarding and transformative experience; lessons learned along the way extend far beyond any classroom or training floor setting. Although paths to this rank differ between schools, and criteria vary depending on style or governing body criteria for promotion up the ranks, one common element remains: dedication to training demonstrated by constant attendance at classes as well as loyalty towards their schools.
At the blue belt level, students have shown they possess a solid foundation in taekwondo skills and are ready to explore more complex forms and concepts. Their blue belt color symbolizes progress within the art, marking their growth as an artist.
Students reaching green belt proficiency have mastered the fundamentals of Taekwondo, and are ready to begin exploring more advanced techniques and theories. Green belt is an intermediate step between lower levels and higher ones; students eventually moving onwards towards black belt certification.
The purple belt marks a crucial transitional period between white and black belts, as students begin integrating and consolidating their knowledge of lower and higher level techniques into taekwondo practice. Students often practice the Taeguk Sa-Jang form at this level which symbolizes dignified spiritual states while simultaneously providing powerful techniques like roundhouse kick and hook punch techniques.
Black belt is the highest level of Taekwondo that one can attain, commonly referred to as 1st Dan. Although there are 10 degrees of black belt, no living person has attained it all ten levels! In order to obtain such status, students must master both art and be skilled instructors capable of mentoring and leading future generations of martial artists.
While most are aware of the hard work and dedication necessary to earn a taekwondo black belt, many do not understand its transformative impact on an individual student’s outlook and attitude toward life. Taekwondo lessons become part of a student’s mental and emotional health, shaping how they handle stressors in all aspects of their life and adapt to challenges in all realms. Taekwondo has long been recognised for its holistic approach to learning, with positive impacts seen throughout a child’s education, relationships and career – such as realising the true value of martial arts en route to earning their junior black Belt certificate.