What Do the Belts Represent in Martial Arts?

Every martial fan knows that different belt colours signify a rank or how well a particular person knows a sport. However, many are unaware that colours have specific meanings.

Each martial art has a unique number of belts. Although colour progression is also inconsistent in different schools, most start with white and end with black.

Origin of Martial Arts Belts

Belts are a core component of martial arts gear. However, players didn’t use them for ranking in the early years. Instead, students would receive a certificate upon graduating from a lower level to the next. Coloured belts gained popularity in the late 19th century when students wore white and teachers black.

In the 1930s, a Japanese Judo master introduced additional belt colours. While training Europeans, he realised that westerners didn’t have the patience to progress from the white belt to black.

Most students would abandon the course halfway due to frustrations and a ‘lack of progress.’ So the master introduced transitional colours to mark the learning of new skills. After the introduction, other martial arts adopted the multicoloured belt ranking system.

Significance of Belt Colors

Here are the meanings of different martial arts belt colours.

White Belt

As mentioned earlier, white is the first belt colour in most martial arts. White symbolises purity and readiness for new studies. During your first lessons, the instructor will focus on improving your technique. This often takes a few weeks to get into a ring for sparring.

Yellow Belt

Yellow signifies the earth’s energy, particularly the sun. Like the sun gives life to seedlings, the yellow symbolises the impact of training on your character and physicality.

It’s worn by students who have started grasping the basic techniques of particular martial art. You also qualify for the belt if you display the discipline required to control your actions when provoked.

Orange Belt

At its peak, the sun is usually orange in colour. This belt signifies the transition from the beginner stage to the intermediate. Students can execute at least 10 attack or defence moves at this level. They also display higher mental development than novices.

Green Belt

Green is synonymous with growth and development. In martial arts, green belts show that an intermediate student can perform combo techniques like grappling and wrestling with little help. Students also get the freedom to practice at home, which significantly tests their self-discipline.

Blue Belt

Blue represents the sky. As students strive to progress from the intermediate to expert level, it reminds them that the sky is the limit. Blue belts usually display an understanding of advanced martial art techniques and excellent self-discipline. For this reason, they can mentor beginners and play amateur matches.

Purple Belt

The sky turns from blue to purple towards dawn. Students drop blue belts for purple when progressing from the intermediate to the advanced level. Here, the instructors emphasise that learning martial arts aims to improve self-defence skills rather than your ego.

Red Belt

Red is a universal sign of danger. Therefore, red belt students are dangerous because they have extensive knowledge of attacking and defensive techniques.

Since red also represents caution, these students must be careful to avoid misusing their skills. Also, the learners can start training beginners.

Brown Belt

Most seeds turn brown upon maturity. Therefore, a brown belt shows that a student is mature and has completed the journey from beginner to advanced.

The level mainly focuses on eliminating weaknesses. A student must exhibit mental resilience to progress from the brown belt to the final stage.

Black Belt

Black represents darkness. In martial arts, wearing the black belt signifies a comprehensive understanding and the ability to execute various techniques flawlessly. It also means you’re looking to gain an in-depth knowledge of a discipline’s physical and mental concepts. You must have a black belt to become a master.

Wrapping Up

Although every person who enrols in training aims to become a black belt, many don’t make it. Regardless, making little progress is worth celebrating.

Remember, martial arts training has many benefits besides improving your self-defence skills. It enhances physical and mental strength and teaches valuable skills like teamwork, leadership, self-discipline, empathy, and so on. But, more importantly, it’s an exciting pastime activity.