Why do we start in white? Let's take a trip back in time!
Long ago in Korea, people loved wearing white clothes, so much that Korea was nicknamed the land of the "white-clothed people." White meant simple, clean and honest.
When taekwondo grew up in Korea in the 1940s and 1950s, students wore white uniforms too. We call it a dobok. Here's a fun word secret:
"Do" means the way"Bok" means clothingSo your dobok is your "clothes for the way": the outfit you wear on your martial arts journey!
Why white for beginners?White stands for purity and innocence. It's like a brand-new notebook with clean pages, ready for you to fill with everything you learn.
A fun legend Some people tell a story that long ago, students never washed their belts. Year after year, the white belt got darker and darker until it turned black! It's just a legend (please wash your uniform!), but it reminds us that every black belt started as a white belt.
How we show respect for our dobok:Keep it cleanKeep it neat, with no wrinklesTurn around before you fix your uniform or beltFold it nicely after class
Your dobok isn't just clothes. It's a reminder of who you are becoming: kind, brave and respectful.
Swipe to learn how to wear and fold your dobok like a champion!
Parents, do you remember your child's very first day in white?
