What is the meaning of the purple belt in Tae Kwon Do?

Answer 1

It represents a certain level of skill or a certain set of skills; for example, respect, strength, control, responsibility, cooperation, determination, persistence and concentration. Black belts can serve as coaches and assist instructors. A black belt represents a lot of hard work. If you've earned a black belt you know that its not a thing to boast about.

Poetically, a black belt represents the rejection of darkness and fear.

Answer 2

The purple belt (or sometimes a blue belt) is given (as most belts are) to indicate an advancement in rank, after learning techniques of advancing difficulty. The purple or blue belts can be in the middle of the sequence of color belts on the way to advancement to a black belt.

Answer 3

The half red / half black belt is typically used for what is called a "pum" (aka: "poom"), which is a "jr. black belt rank for the student under a specific age (under 15 by Kukkiwon standards in Korea), which is issued instead of an adult "dan" rank. Under those circumstances, the under-aged child also wears a dobok (practice uniform) that has the same black over red trim around the color of the jacket. The Kukkiwon issues 1st through 4th pum levels. Once a student reaches the age of 15, they may transfer their pum rank to an adult dan rank, or they may continue working toward pum levels until they are 18. The dan level transfer depends on both current pum rank, and age required for that dan.

In some Taekwondo organizations and independent schools this belt is used for any age as a transitional phase between the color belt "geup" (grade) rank levels, and the full 1st Degree Black Belt. In that case, it is called a "Recommended Black Belt," or "Black Belt Candidate." Most Taekwondo organizations simply use a plain black belt with no stripes for any temporary "Recommended" or "Candidate" level, and save the red/black belt for children only.

Answer 4

There are many opinions and interpretations to what a Black Belt is or means. It is generally considered an expert of Martial Art skills. A Black Belt is a threshold that is crossed from a graded student to a dan (degree) holder, and is therefore a permanent rank for life. As the skill of a Black Belt increases, the "degree" or "dan" increases. A first degree is often viewed as one who has mastered the basics to a point of proficiency and competency that they no longer need instruction on the rudimentary portion of training. However, a Black Belt is not a "Master" of the art, and is not automatically a teacher. These are things that must be developed over time, and learned from continued practice under a senior Master or Grandmaster.

As symbolism goes, the color Black in nature is the absence of light, thus the Black Belt is sometimes said to have no fear of the dark, or unknown. This is not only a characteristic of bravery in a warrior, but perseverance in a student to forge ahead into new learning. The color black also exists in objects that reflect no light, but absorb all colors. Therefore, the Black Belt student has absorbed all the knowledge of the color belts. They are also calm and serene in the face of danger, adversity, or hostile individuals and do not "reflect" or mirror the anger and hostilities of an antagonist. A Black Belt individual should remain in control of their thoughts, words and actions.