The Karate Belt System is a ranking structure used in martial arts like karate to signify a student's progress and skill level. It typically follows a progression of colored belts, from beginner to advanced ranks, with each color holding symbolic meaning about the student's journey and understanding of the art.
Kyu Ranks (Beginner to Intermediate):
White Belt (Shiro Obi): Represents a blank slate, purity, and the beginning of the journey in karate.
Yellow Belt (Ki Obi): Symbolizes the first rays of sunlight, indicating the acquisition of basic knowledge and the beginning of understanding fundamental techniques.
Orange Belt (Daidaiiro Obi): Represents further growth, development, and a deeper understanding of techniques.
Green Belt (Midori Obi): Symbolizes growth and harmony, reflecting the practitioner's development and blossoming in the practice of karate.
Blue Belt (Ao Obi): Represents the sky and serenity, symbolizing the expansion of knowledge and understanding, and the development of advanced skills.
Purple Belt (Murasaki Obi): Denotes an advanced level of skill and dedication, indicating technical mastery and the integration of karate philosophy.
Brown Belt (Chairo Obi): Represents maturity and consolidation, symbolizing the earth, solidity, and stability as the practitioner nears mastery.
Dan Ranks (Advanced):
Black Belt (Kuro Obi): The symbol of mastery and the culmination of a learning cycle, yet it also marks the beginning of a new journey of continuous teaching and refinement. Black belts have different degrees, known as Dan levels (e.g., Shodan for 1st Dan, Nidan for 2nd Dan).
Note: The specific order of colored belts and the meanings attached can vary slightly between different karate schools and styles, but the overall progression from white to black belt remains consistent.