Tie Your Belt

Step by Step Instructions for Tying Your Belt

The belt (dhee in korean) is tied in a square knot. A square knot is used because it's simple to tie and easy to untie. So lets begin by reviewing (or learning) how to tie the ends of two ropes into a square knot:

1.

Pass left end over and under right end.

2.

Curve what is now the left end toward the right and cross what is now the right end over and under the left.

3.

Pull tight.

Tying the belt in a square knot. with one exception, is just as simple as tying the ends of two ropes in a square knot. The one exception is that the belt must first be wrapped around the waist, without being twisted or crisscrossed. The step by step instructions below shows one way of wrapping the belt around the waist without any twists or crisscrosses.

1. Fold the belt in half with the ends together to find the center.

2. Place the center of the beh on the front center of the DoBok top, even with or slightly below the navel, with the stripes (if any) on the left.

3. Begin wrapping the belt around the waist and at the middle of the lower back, cross the end currently in your right hand over the end currently in your left hand (first left over right). Switch hands and bring both ends to the front center, tucking the end in your right hand under the other end as you do so.

4. At this point, the belt should be even all the way around and not twisted or crisscrossed. If the belt is twisted or crisscrossed, sil start over. If noticeably uneven, loosen the beh and rotate the w whole belt clockwise (or counter clockwise) until both ends are even.

Front View

Back View

5. Now complete the first half of the square knot by looping the left end under the right end and pull it up towards your right shoulder.

6. Curve what is now the left end toward the right and cross what is now the right end (the end you pulled up towards your right shoulder) over the left.

7. Complete the second half of the square know by looping the right end under the left end.

8. Pull the ends of the belt outward and downward to tighten the knot.

9. The ends of belt should be fairly even and hang neatly, with the stripes (if any) on the right.

Caution: Do not tie the belt too tight or too high because your breathing will be impeded.

As noted above, there are several ways to wrap the belt around the waist without it being twisted or crisscrossed. For example, you can begin with the stripes (if any) hanging down on the left side and wrap, clockwise, the other end of the belt around the waist twice, then go to Step 4 above to complete the square knot.

Tip: New belts are rigid and stick out even when tied correctly. Soaking the belt in warm water and drip-drying it will make it supple and easier to tie. The ends will then hang more loosely.