BELT COLORS
BELT COLORS
There are many versions of the meaning and the origin of the colors of martial arts belts. There are multiple colored belt systems in use as well. Most have many commonalities with small variations between systems including stripes and sashes. Regardless of the system and colors, the basic concepts and the meanings at different stages are very similar. What follows is what I was taught within the basic eight color belt system used in my training. An interesting note about the belt colors. You'll notice the colors get progressively darker as the ranks increase. This is thought to be due to the practice of dyeing a belt a new color with each promotion; therefore, due to the nature of the dyeing process, bleaching the previous color out of the belt and then dyeing the belt the new color, the result is a progressively darker belt . The bleached belt never returns quite back to white and is a little darker with each bleach/dye cycle.
The martial arts colored belt ranking system was originated by Dr. Jigoro Kano, who was Japanese and considered the "Founder of Modern Judo". Dr Kano devised many of the concepts that are the foundation of modern martial arts. He devised the colored belt system as a visible sign of a student's progress, awarding the first "black belts" in the 1880's.
Gichin Funakoshi , who is from Okinawa and the founder of Shotokan Karate, is considered the "Founder of Modern Karate". Mr Funakoshi was a contemporary and friend of Dr. Kano and adopted the belt ranking system and other philosophical and organizational concepts from him.
Byung Jick Ro, a student of Mr. Funakoshi, is Korean and the founder of Song Mo Kwan. He is considered "The Founder of Modern Tae Kwon Do". He received his black belt from Mr Funakoshi in 1939 and he continued to use the same belt and rank system with Tae Kwon Do.
White Belt- White signifies birth, or beginning of a seed. The student is an innocent beginner in search of knowledge. The white belt is the beginning of life's cycle and represents the seed as it lies beneath snow in the cold, frozen ground of winter.
Yellow belt- Yellow signifies the first rays of sunlight which shine upon the earth giving the beginning of a new life and strength to the seed. The student is given the first rays of knowledge from his instructors, opening his mind.
Orange belt- Orange represents the growing power of the sun as it warms the earth, thus warming the seed, to prepare for growth in the spring. The student starts to feel his body and mind open and develop.
Green belt- Green signifies the growth of the the seed as it emerges from the earth, reaching for the sun and begins to sprout roots and grow into a plant. The student begins to develop roots in the Art just as a plant begins to develop it's base in the earth. The student begins to strengthen and refine his skills and techniques.
Blue belt- Blue signifies the sky as the plant continues to grow toward it. As the seed has burst from the earth and stretches for the sky, the student, feeling his base forming and reaching upward for new knowledge, continues to move up in rank. Just as the light feeds the the plant so it can grow, the student is fed additional knowledge of the ART in order for his body and mind to continue to grow and develop.
Brown belt- Brown represents the ripening of the seed and the plant forming more and stronger roots, securing it's foundation and firmly anchoring itself in the earth. The brown belt is an advanced student whose techniques are maturing and just as a plant begins to produce fruit, the student begins to see the fruit of his hard work and labor as a beginner.
Red belt- Red signifies the red hot heat of the sun as the plant continues to grow. As a red belt acquires more detailed knowledge, just as a plant grows slowly toward the sun, the student must learn to be cautious with his knowledge and physical abilities. Red is a universal sign of danger and the red belt student is beginning to become dangerous with his knowledge and abilities. It's at this point that sometimes the expectations of the instructor increase and a slight and subtle change in the relationship between student and instructor may occur. Before advancing , the student must demonstrate the ability to handle the responsibility. One of those responsibilities is humbling oneself as ego can be a serious hindrance to continued growth.
Black belt- Black belt signifies the darkness beyond the sun. Reaching beyond the light, seeking out knowledge.The black belt truly attains the skill and knowledge level worthy of the rank when he/she comes to understand and accept that this stage is a beginning, not and end. A black belt seeks new knowledge of the Art. As the black belt begins to teach others, he/she begins to plant new seeds.His/her students, many of who will take deep root in the Art, blossom and grow through the ranks in a never ending process of self-growth, knowledge, and enlightenment.
Black belt- Black belt signifies the darkness beyond the sun. Reaching beyond the light, seeking out knowledge.The black belt truly attains the skill and knowledge level worthy of the rank when he/she comes to understand and accept that this stage is a beginning, not and end. A black belt seeks new knowledge of the Art. As the black belt begins to teach others, he/she begins to plant new seeds.His/her students, many of who will take deep root in the Art, blossom and grow through the ranks in a never ending process of self-growth, knowledge, and enlightenment.
As I mentioned above, there are many varying explanations for the different belt colors. What I shared is what I learned and I think it is an adequate version. The comparison of a seed to a new student is a strong enough analogy to help gain an understanding of each of the different ranks and at what stage a student should find himself related to his amount of growth, work, effort, dedication, and skills developed. I often remind my students that the goal is not the next belt color. The true goal is the achievement of the skill level associated with the belt.