The ranking and development of pupils in martial arts are shown by their wear of martial arts belts. The system was set up to recognise the top pupils and track their advancement till they reach the highest rank after demonstrating a particular degree of mastery.
There are nine different belt colours used in martial arts: white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, black, and red. Depending on the particular martial art, the number and hierarchy of belts can change.
In this post, we’ll cover everything there is to know about martial arts belts, including their colours, highest ranks (and whether or not there is a belt above black? ), the origins of martial arts belts, and much more.
Do all Martial Arts Use Belt Ranking System?
Many martial arts use a belt ranking system to indicate the proficiency and skill level of a practitioner. Some of the most well-known martial arts that use a belt ranking system include:
In most cases, the ranking system is based on a series of promotions through various colored belts, typically starting with white and progressing to higher colors such as yellow, orange, green, blue, brown, and black. The specific colors and ranking system may vary between different martial arts styles and schools.
Martial Arts Belts Colors in Order
Your rank as a martial arts student will be shown by the colour of the belt that you wear around your waist.
The first belt in almost all martial arts is the white belt, and you must advance from there to achieve the apex, or the highest stage, which is known as the black belt.
However, it takes years of effort to get the black belt. Before you reach that point, you will switch belt colours. Each colour has a distinct meaning and denotes a different stage of experience and development.
White Belt
This belt is typically worn by beginners and represents the germination of a seed or a new beginning. People who are just beginning their martial arts training are given this belt. With a white belt, students start their martial arts journey or “new life.”
Yellow Belt
The colour here symbolises the idea that the sun is warming the seed and signifies the second stage in martial arts. Yellow belt mostly indicates that you have learnt the fundamentals and can be considered a “advanced beginner.”
Orange Belt
The third stage of martial art skills signifies the strengthening and warming up of the seed in readiness for fresh growth. It typically indicates that a student’s body and intellect are beginning to grow and get stronger.
This represents the last level of beginner for karate students, indicating that you are prepared to move on to the intermediate level.
Green Belt
This is the fourth stage of mastering a martial art, and it typically denotes that the student is starting to develop his or her abilities and has started learning how to strengthen and refine his martial arts talents. Having a green belt typically indicates that you are an intermediate practitioner.
Blue Belt
The process of developing a certain amount of confidence is symbolised by the blue belt, during which the learner grows stronger and continues to acquire the knowledge required to ensure that the right course is being taken.
The fruit is supposedly ready to grow because the more advanced students are pushing their branches up towards the sky (blue). Blue belt denotes “that you are in the middle of your trip” in this stage of the life cycle.
Purple Belt
Students are now preparing to go on to a more advanced level in their martial arts, where they must comprehend the requirements to get the highest rank of black belt, which is not far off.
Brown Belt
When a learner reaches the level of brown belt, he or she begins to realise how much effort and commitment it has taken to develop the skills since beginning with a white belt. This will encourage him to work harder and advance to the black belt level.
The earth, represented by the brown belt, is the ground. When a pupil reaches the brown belt level, they are prepared for a new cycle.
Black Belt
In martial arts, a black belt is a symbol of mastery and signifies that a person has achieved a high level of proficiency and expertise in the particular style or system they are practicing. The specific requirements to earn a black belt vary depending on the martial arts discipline and school, but typically involve several years of dedicated training, as well as a demonstration of technical skills and mastery of specific techniques and forms.
In many martial arts traditions, earning a black belt is considered a rite of passage and marks the beginning of a new phase in a student’s training, where they can begin to develop their own personal style and teachings. Additionally, black belts often take on more responsibilities within their schools, such as teaching and mentoring junior students.
It’s important to note that a black belt is not the end of one’s martial arts journey, but rather the beginning of a new and ongoing phase of growth and development. Many martial artists continue to train and learn throughout their lives, continually striving for improvement and mastery.