what does Black Belt mean to you?

Question

got a black belt or know someone who does?
what does it mean to you if you don't know much about their training? if you earned one, what does it mena to you now?

Answer 1

I asked my teacher what a black belt was and he gave me a very good answer. He told me that to reach a black belt was to become an expert beginner. In other words, one who has learned the basics and is ready to learn deeper into the art. In essence, black belt is the next white belt. To reach your white belt you must learn kicking and punching and proper movement. When you earn your black belt you must learn the material for the other belts. Then you may use that knowledge to begin to fully understand the art.

Answer 2

If I see someone else with a black belt, I think that person is good at what he does. Maybe has the right mental state of mind too. If it was me, it means the kiddie stuff is over and the real training is about to begin.

A black belt is no more than a white belt who never quit.

Answer 3

It should be a sign of respect to anyone else who is a lower belt. Today, its the same thing as a college degree... you put in the time, and got C's or better. In the old days... you could never BUY you belt... Too many black belts today are worthless and horrible at their art. Its turning into a money business and losing its roots.

and By the way... having a Black belt does NOT make you a master... that rank is a recognized rank by a group of people. And most "masters" are 3rd degree or higher... People who call themselves master usualy dont know what it means.

Answer 4

When we were in elementary you'd always have "that" kid in school that supposedly had a black belt. Nobody would mess with him because they didn't want to get their *** kicked. Back then Black Belt meant power. Now a Black Belt doesn't mean as much. Obtaining a black belt requires tremendous discipline I'm sure, but nobody cares about hard work now a days....its sad but true. The saying "I have a gun" has replaced "I have a black belt" for me. Congrats to you and anybody else with a black belt, please don't kick my ***.

Answer 5

It means kuro-obi. ;)

Usually you earn it when the sensei thinks you're proficient enough to deserve that recognition in whatever martial arts school uses the belt system...

...Or you can just buy any black belt at a martial arts store and then it means absolutely nothing at all. The belt itself is meaningless. It all depends on whether it was earned.

Answer 6

A black belt, in Japanese martial arts, is Shodan. Sho, meaning first or initial, and Dan, meaning rank. Shodan is the initial rank, meaning that the basics have finally been mastered and the student is now ready to learn more advanced techniques or is ready for more advanced applications of the basic techniques. It is by no means mastery of the style, but is recognition of a good grounding in the basics.

Answer 7

I don't have a black belt yet, but I DO know this much: A Black Belt means you're TRULY ready to learn.

Answer 8

It means you have attained a fairly high level, usually of a martial art. There are usually tests. Of course just like a degree you would have to say "where" or "who" your black belt was awarded from. It is usually a fairly intense study and practice before you get black belt. Usually you have studied for at least a couple of years to get it.

Answer 9

I do not know much about it, but black belt to me always means someone who is very good.

Answer 10

It means that you can do some crazy round houses and break boards and stuff. Definatly not the type of person to pick on lets say at a Bar or something. You wouldnt know what hit ya.

Congrats on the BB, I heard its pretty tough to get.