Red Belt (1st Gup)
Traditional Meaning:
The oak tree is now trying to reach the sun itself, which is the object it first looked up when it emerged from the earth. The sun represents warmth, growth, life and energy. However, there is great depth in our universe beyond the sun. The Red belt is a student who can see their black belt within reach. They have reached a mental depth and maturity through their physical actions and can push themselves to their physical limit. This causes a re-evaluation of the self and, by overcoming physical setbacks, the development of the indomitable spirit. Techniques have also advanced to an incredibly powerful stage that the student probably did not realize they could achieve. The Red belt, however, also represents limitation. The limitation allows the student to evaluation their progress, an essential idea to the development of the indomitable spirit. The limitation also applies to the students control, which makes the red belt perhaps the most dangerous student.
Our Interpretation:
As a Red belt you are one step away from black belt. You should be extremely excited about your upcoming test and have the most energy of all the belts. The black belts should look at you and see that you are fired up to become one of them. However you must always exhibit a great degree of self control and confidence. It is also at this stage that you must start taking steps towards becoming an instructor. Not every black belt is an instructor, but if you wish to become one it is at the red belt level that you need to start helping out your peers and setting a good example in every aspect of martial arts for the younger belts. It is also extremely important that you realize how physically demanding your black belt test will be and start preparing for it with some sort of physical conditioning outside of class. You must also remember that you must do all of your forms at your black belt test and are limited to making 3 mistakes on them. This is where you are separated from the lower ranking belts and truly earn your black belt. It is also the level you come to the realization that, while you may have trained for a long time to reach the rank of 1st Dan it is not the end of your journey. Black Belt is only the beginning your technique and mind set will develop further then you could have imagined if you continue your training. As a Red Belt you will slowly come to this realization, and this should present you with an exciting new future in Tae Kwon Do after your test.
Choong-Mu – (30 Moves) the name given to the great Admiral Yi Soon-Sin of the Yi Dynasty. He was reputed to have invented the first armored battleship (Kobukson) in 1592, which is said to be the precursor of the present day submarine. This pattern ends with a left hand attack, to symbolize his regrettable death. He was noted for his unrestrained loyalty to the King.