You have probably already noticed that martial artists use different colored belts to designate rank. It has always been like this? Is there a specific order for the belt colors? What’s up with all these stripes that you keep seeing? What do the different colors really mean? Be on the lookout for answers to all your colored belt questions.

The different colored belts used to designate rank are a relatively modern innovation created by master Jigoro Kano, the founder of Judo in the early 20th century. Master Kano felt that there should be a visual progression of the belts as a way of knowing what level a practitioner was at and also as a way of implementing a specific hierarchy within each Judo club.

Before the invention of colored belts, there was simply a white belt and a black belt and nothing in between. It was not uncommon for a teacher’s disciple to study for years while wearing a white belt until one day out of nowhere, the teacher awarded the student a black belt and that was it. The common myth of starting with a white belt that gradually gets dirtier as you train and eventually turns black and then over a longer period of time fades again and turns dark gray, designating an advanced rank is no more. than that: a myth!

It is highly unlikely that someone will wear the same belt for years and hours after hours of intense training and a lot of sweat and probably some blood from time to time. That belt must have been pretty stinky to say the least. The fact is that in the old days a karate session was a private matter between the teacher and his student and there was not even a need for a belt. The student practiced in comfortable pants and a tank top and that was it.

So what is the problem with all these colored belts?

Well, it has been a gradual progression to our current situation. First no belts, then black and white, then the addition of brown, then green, then the other fills of yellow, orange, blue, purple, red, and recently we have seen many other additions that vary in shades from all of the above. colors with multiple stripes, achievement bands and patches, all for the purpose of encouraging students. Depending on which end of the traditional versus modern continuum you place yourself on, you can cynically laugh at the belt rainbow or you can welcome modern innovation and a source of positive rewards and reinforcement.

Most people, including me, are somewhere in the middle. I think colored belts are a good thing for today’s world, especially kids, but let’s keep it real and don’t get carried away and reward third grade gold belts with a green and purple stripe and an achievement patch of “focus” just for showing up to class four times that month! If your club has more than ten different colored belts with multiple stripes and patches, all within the same age group program, then you have probably entered a “belt factory.”

It is okay to have different belt systems for different programs, such as a Tiny Tigers program for kids ages 4-6, a Junior program for kids ages 7-12, and the premier martial arts program for teens and adults, but for cramming around 20 different belts into a two- or three-year program is just ridiculous and frankly, it’s mostly about money.

It seems that today we have more belt colors than ice cream flavors and consequently there are no real benchmarks against which we can compare different belts from one school to another. So don’t even try. Basically, the belt you wear around your waist only means something to you and the person who gave it to you. You generally have to go and meet certain requirements to receive your belt, but the requirements differ so much from school to school that there is no universal standard.

This is another reason why you should do your research beforehand and learn about the different martial arts schools in your area. Ask them about their shows, their rating systems, their rating fees, and their style. Then decide if what they offer is something that would benefit you or your child.

If you need more help with this or any other karate topic, be sure to download my FREE report “Beginner’s Guide to Karate”. You will find how to download it at http://www.freekarateinformation.com

Good luck and best wishes on your karate journey.