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The white belt and the black belt symbolize um and yang. This ancient philosophic concept is more commonly known as the Chinese principles yin and yang.

The concept of um and yang describes the interlinking diversity of this universe. White symbolizes day, while black symbolizes night. White represents lightness, as black represents fullness. White is purity, whereas black is knowledge, and so on.

It is understood in the philosophy of um and yang that one element cannot exist without its counterpart. Thus, the entire universe is based upon a system of duality. In terms of taekwondo, this represents the fact that the student learns from the instructor, while the instructor's function depends upon the student.

The three remaining belts have primary colors: yellow, blue, and red. These represent a student's progression from the realm of naivete to the deeper dimensions of knowledge.

Wearing the Taekwondo Belt

The taekwondo belt is tied in a very specific manner. It loops around the body two times and then is tied in front in a triangle-shape knot. The wearing of the belt and the tying of the knot, which binds it to your body, are symbolic gestures and should never be taken lightly. Tying your belt in this predetermined fashion represents that you are focusing your mind and your body, organizing your thoughts, and readying yourself to enter into taekwondo training. The triangle-shape knot represents oneness of purpose.