The prestige and confidence of knowing you have achieved the highest attainable skill level in your field of endeavor. Kind of like working to become an Eagle Scout or earning a PH.D in a specific subject you have a personal passion for. In one word, PRIDE.
In Shaolin Gung-Fu, the way you obtain a Black Belt, is that your white belt became dirty enough to look like it’s black! The different belt rating’s are Americanized! I believe it depend’s on the dojo, and the sensei,(sp), to see if the student has obtained the knowledge, and skill, to hold the First Degree belt, and hasn’t been pushed through for status. It is a great accomplishment! Your mind ,should now be in tune with your body, and your inner self.
beyond black belt it is the further commitment to improve yourself. To continue in personal development. It is also where the art starts to really open up and you begin to understand the application of techniques. When I achieved my black belt I felt there were missing pieces; as I trained further I felt I really now understand the art. I also realize there is still room to grow.
As you are using a JAPANESE term to denote rank in a KOREAN art I have no idea what their translation of 1ST DAN might be but in JAPANESE it means “awakening knowledge” a beggining not an end in itself.
The path may be more clear but the real journey is just starting.
It means that I am still a beginner in the martial art and I must keep practicing so I can learn and understand what I have been doing the past 3-4 yrs even more.
the culmination of hard work and the loss of blood sweat and tears-it was a proud moment for me. it signified the end of the apprenticeship and the beginning of true learning. i value my 1st dan more than my 2nd and 3rd dan gradings.
To me it is like a qualified tradesman that has just finished there apprenticeship, you have been equipped / skill in your chosen field, and as a tradesman it takes a good part of a lifetime to become a master tradesman.
And as a personal point of view , you have mastered the basic’s and have aquired the skills to carry you on to the next leg of your training. Each Degree/ Dan to me is a deeper understanding of your choosen Art.
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merkwaows
August 14th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Cecil
it means to me…
i can woop your ass so dont try anything funny
soulguy85
August 16th, 2009 at 9:42 am
Ron
The prestige and confidence of knowing you have achieved the highest attainable skill level in your field of endeavor. Kind of like working to become an Eagle Scout or earning a PH.D in a specific subject you have a personal passion for. In one word, PRIDE.
Alyssa W
August 17th, 2009 at 11:01 am
Juan
it means to me that i stuck through my lessons and learned the basics now im ready for anything!!!
Chickster
August 17th, 2009 at 6:57 pm
Ronald
In Shaolin Gung-Fu, the way you obtain a Black Belt, is that your white belt became dirty enough to look like it’s black! The different belt rating’s are Americanized! I believe it depend’s on the dojo, and the sensei,(sp), to see if the student has obtained the knowledge, and skill, to hold the First Degree belt, and hasn’t been pushed through for status. It is a great accomplishment! Your mind ,should now be in tune with your body, and your inner self.
SiFu frank
August 19th, 2009 at 12:02 am
Alice
beyond black belt it is the further commitment to improve yourself. To continue in personal development. It is also where the art starts to really open up and you begin to understand the application of techniques. When I achieved my black belt I felt there were missing pieces; as I trained further I felt I really now understand the art. I also realize there is still room to grow.
walyank
August 22nd, 2009 at 7:01 am
Vera
1st degree black belt. Period.
Back in the days, when I was doing martial arts, I don’t remember any degrees. Probably a new thing invented to make people stick around longer.
Kind of like:
chubby
fat
very fat
super fat
and super duper fat
Once you’re fat, you’re fat.
shootersway
August 23rd, 2009 at 9:30 pm
Jeremy
As you are using a JAPANESE term to denote rank in a KOREAN art I have no idea what their translation of 1ST DAN might be but in JAPANESE it means “awakening knowledge” a beggining not an end in itself.
The path may be more clear but the real journey is just starting.
Codys mom
August 27th, 2009 at 12:06 am
Roland
It means that I am still a beginner in the martial art and I must keep practicing so I can learn and understand what I have been doing the past 3-4 yrs even more.
michinoku2001
August 29th, 2009 at 6:43 am
Derek
Shodan is just the end of being a beginner and the beginning of true knowledge.
bjjnoobie
August 29th, 2009 at 11:54 am
Harold
I means that I am a serious student. And I am ready to learn the art.
“The more you learn, the less you know”
READER
August 29th, 2009 at 4:49 pm
Luis
It means that now your real training begins. When you reach that level the intensity of your training will become more difficult.
Otter
August 30th, 2009 at 2:54 am
Evelyn
It means you are officially good enough to begin your real training.
tony c
August 30th, 2009 at 8:55 pm
Holly
the culmination of hard work and the loss of blood sweat and tears-it was a proud moment for me. it signified the end of the apprenticeship and the beginning of true learning. i value my 1st dan more than my 2nd and 3rd dan gradings.
Riki3
August 30th, 2009 at 9:39 pm
Steven
To me it is like a qualified tradesman that has just finished there apprenticeship, you have been equipped / skill in your chosen field, and as a tradesman it takes a good part of a lifetime to become a master tradesman.
And as a personal point of view , you have mastered the basic’s and have aquired the skills to carry you on to the next leg of your training. Each Degree/ Dan to me is a deeper understanding of your choosen Art.
Randy S
August 31st, 2009 at 8:49 am
Jared
master of the basics!!!!!!!!!………now go learn the advanced tactics
Cnote
September 1st, 2009 at 12:01 am
Victoria
its like getting a high school diploma…yea you know some stuff(basics) but you still have a lot to learn(bachelor, masters, doctorates)
Scotty
September 3rd, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Florence
in TKD not much… in jujitsu, judo etc alot.
17 Responses