The black belt is a symbol of strength, compassion and true dedication to Karate-Do. True martial artists look upon the SHO-DAN (First level) black belt as a beginning, not an end; it heralds the student’s birth as a karate-ka. Karate demands constant effort and self-discipline. Karate teaches a multitude of life lessons one of the main ones being – what you put in is what you get out.