Karate Belt Ranking Systems
Different Types of Karate Belt Ranking Systems
Karate Belt History
Karate belts were first used as the ranking system in Japanese Judo. Sensei Gichin Funakoshi was the first to adapt the colored belt ranking system for the use in his Shotokan Karate schools.
In the beginning, the white belt was dyed as each new skill level was achieved. The repetition of this dying process is how the color rankings were established. This process was repeated until the belt was black and could not be dyed any darker. That is why black is the the last karate belt color.
Some karate myths claim that the belts changed color due to dirt from being used so often. These myths claim that sweat and rolling around on the ground or floor while training may have caused the color changes. The darker your belt was, the harder you had worked and trained.
Karate Belt Colors
The standard karate belt color ranking system used in most karate schools is white, yellow, green, brown, and black. There are karate schools and styles that use revised versions of the karate belt ranking system.
Most karate students strive to earn their black belt. This is the final colored belt, but is not the highest rank that can be achieved. Students can earn higher degrees of a black belt. Each degree requires a higher skill level and more qualifications to be met in order to advance.
Kyu and Dan Rankings
Some martial arts schools use the kyu and dan ranking system, in addition to the colored belt rankings. Kyu is ranked from 10 to 1, with 1 being the highest kyu rank. Dan is ranked from 1 to 10, with 10 being the highest dan rank.
Advancing in Karate Belt Rank
Each karate school administers a test for advancing to the next colored belt. To pass the test, you need to show that you have mastered the skills and qualifications that are required for the belt color you are testing for. Most karate schools have no set time limits on when you test for the next rank. The instructor will assess whether they believe you have met the requirements and are ready to advance.
Some karate students like to display their previously earned karate belts on racks after they move on to the nest rank. Other students may choose to give their belt to a karate student of a lower rank.
Bruce Lee showcased his martial arts training in his movies. His characters introduced martial arts to mainstream America. This led to an increase in the number of karate schools and students.
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Published by Stacy Hensley
Stacy is a SAHM of 3 wonderful kids. 14 yr old twins (boy and girl) and a 7 yr old daughter. She writes about many different subjects, but she is often led to write about subjects that are important in her... View profile
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4 Comments
Post a CommentWell done! Our school was a little different. Our belts went white, yellow, blue, green, purple, brown, black. As stressful as they were, belt tests were also so much fun. Great article
Well written! I had heard about the dirt legend, but had not learned about the repeated dyeing of the belts. Fascinating detail!
Interesting info!
Your article is great. But I'm laughing at the article listed above..Leotards itch my crotch..:) I think I have to go check that one out!