Karate Belt Colors

Karate is a method of self-defense using open hand combat and weapons that was developed in the RyuKyu archipelago which is now Okinawa Japan. There are two main branches of Karate; Okinawan (Traditional), and Japanese Karate. Traditionally belts were not used in karate when it originated.

Today in karate rank represents how much experience you have, and it shows that you were competent enough to pass the written and the practical test. The test usually consists of questions on the basic elements of the art. As your belt rank gets higher the level of difficulty of the test also increases.

There is no standard color scheme for any martial arts. That is completely dependent upon the dojo’s master. It is rare that any two Martial Art will share the same color scheme. What is common among many dojos is the color that the beginner gets which is white and the final stages are usually black. Below are some examples of some color schemes from various Martial Arts:

IsshinRyu Karate

1. White

2. Yellow

3. Orange

4. 5^th Green

5. 4^th Green

6. 3^rd Brown

7. 2^nd Brown

8. 1^st Brown

9. 1^st Degree Black Belt

10. 2^nd Degree Black Belt

11. 3^rd Degree Black Belt

12. 4^th Degree Black Belt (Beginning of Masters Rank who wears red and white belt at formal events)

13. 5^th Degree Black Belt

14. 6^th Degree Black Belt

15. 7^th Degree Black Belt

16. 8^th Degree Black Belt

17. 9^th Degree Black Belt

18. 10^th Degree Black Belt (Grandmaster who wears a solid red belt at formal events)

Shotokan Karate

1. White

2. 8^th Orange

3. 7^th Orange

4. Green

5. 5^th Purple

6. 4^th Purple

7. 3^rd Brown

8. 2^nd Brown

9. 1^st Brown

10. 1^st Degree Black Belt (goes straight to tenth degree Black Belt)

As we can see the scheme is somewhat similar but different.

Usually each rank carries some meaning. Dojos usually do not modify this however it is not a crime to do so and it is possible to see variation by dojo. White, being the common color among dojos, usually symbolizes innocence, and new, fresh start, while Black usually symbolizes the opposite.

It is common of most martial arts to wear the belt (obi) around the waist with the obi knot below the belly button, with two sides of the belt hanging down on either side. The method of tying the belt is very simple.

In summary, Karate was founded in the Okinawan islands where there was not a formal ranking system by belt color. This tradition began as Karate became more and more Westernized. The belt colors denote a particular kyu’s (student) experience, knowledge and competence. Each belt is awarded after a testing system that is done at each belt level. The colors of the belt gains its order based on the dojo. Being a karateka (A person who practices Karate) about to test for my next I can positively say that the color of your belt should not matter greatly to you. But you should enjoy each belt rank and aim for perfection and not the next belt rank.