Martial art styles have come a long way from home, many with roots in East Asia, specifically in Japan. Still, coloured belts are used today to represent skill level, starting with a white belt and ending with the black variety.
Why Are There Coloured Belts In Martial Arts And What Do They Mean?
It showcases the prowess and skill level of a trainee. Remember that martial arts like Muay Thai, Boxing, and Wrestling don’t incorporate belts.
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KARATE
Karate is a popular yet traditional martial art with origins in Okinawa, Japan. The connection to Eastern Philosophy is highly regarded, which speaks of a structured progression system with a strong belief that the entire body is a weapon.
The belt grading system best echoes this. The values are well demonstrated when students perform particular techniques. The different belt ranks are awarded for the skills acquisition and time used for training.
Student levels in Karate are called Kyu and illustrate the early practice stages. ‘Mudansha’ is the given name of the practitioner. Progress involves advancing numerically downwards. It is through the Kyu grades. The 1st Kyu or the brown belt is the top and highest ranking for students, just before the black belt.
Meanings of the Karate belt colours:
White (6th Kyu): Needs a minimum of 3 months of active training. It symbolises the start of your martial art journey.
Yellow (5th Kyu): Earned after a minimum of 6 months of active training. You have to pass an exam to qualify, which tests your understanding of the Karate basic principles.
Orange (4th Kyu): Requires a minimum of active training for 6 months. This colour means you have a better understanding of the necessary skills for Karate.
Green (3rd Kyu): It represents a 9-month active training. It is the level where you refine the skills learnt from the start, emphasising self-protection.
Blue (2nd Kyu): Requires students to exhibit great control over techniques and their minds and is awarded after 12 months of active training.
Brown (1st Kyu): Given after an 18-month active training. It signifies a high level of maturity with martial skills and mind.
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AIKIDO
This contemporary and non-aggressive Japanese martial art was developed in the early 20th century. The martial art represents circular and flowing movements that require a relaxed body and a highly intent mind. It features two belts, white and black. The former is given initially, while the black is awarded after a formal exam. An exam of the basic techniques marks the end of the 4 to 6 years of training.
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JUDO
Starting as a system for Samurai, the art has its origins in Imperial Japan. It is characterised by throws with a uniform system of advancement.
Progression with belts is based on the number of throws known and the level of competition experience.
The number of coloured belts varies worldwide. But generally, in most western countries, there are 5-7 belts before the final black belt.
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TAE KWON DO
The Korean martial art specialises in kicks, while the coloured belts are earned with an exam on several techniques. There are about 11 belts before the black belt, awarded after 3-4 years. The main belts include;
Chon-Ji (White with yellow tip): Represents the beginner stage for students with no previous knowledge of Taekwondo. The white uniform is a sign of purity.
Dan-gun (Yellow belt): Signifies the laying out of the Taekwondo foundation compared to the earth, where a plant sprouts.
Won-Hyo (Green belt): Indicates the growth of a new plant that slowly gains strength as the Taekwondo skills blossom.
Joon-gu (Blue belt): Showcases the start of a real understanding of the art techniques. The Taekwondo progress is comparable to the sky, where the plant grows and matures as a towering tree.
Hwa-rang (Brown belt): Marks the root’s stability on earth with increased proficiency.
Choong-moo is a student wearing a brown belt with a black tip.
Black belt: The opposite of the white belt signifies maturity and proficiency.
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BRAZILIAN JIU-JITSU (BJJ) COLOURED BELTS
BJJ focuses on ‘maximising leverage’ to keep you safe in varying situations. It takes 7-12 years of training to earn the black belt, with five coloured belts along the way.
Conclusion:
While there are many coloured belts for varying martial arts, depending on vigour, some students make larger strides and progress faster. Others need more time to master the art and are slower than others. Therefore, it’s not about earning the black belt but enjoying every part of your martial art journey.
