Karate - Belt Colours & Meaning

From the colors of the belt one can easily judge about the rank and the level of expertise about any person doing karate. The more common color that we come across is white and black. Where white represents the starting level, Black represents the true expert having highest rank. Yellow, orange, red, green, blue are some other colors of belt.

The order of the karate belts also differ in different schools. Some of the correct orders of the colors of belt are given below −

• White, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, red, brown, black
• White, red, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, black
• White, yellow, green, orange, red, blue, purple, brown, black

During the time of Second World War, only darker shades of colors were used to signify the move ahead agenda in karate. Dying the belts further was a symbol that the person had moved ahead with one extra level of expertise. Soon different colors were introduced for the level of expertise.

White Belt − The birth of a new light is indicated by white. In karate it usually depicts for a person who starts to learn karate keeping in mind about the different challenges that he is going to face.

Yellow Belt − It symbolizes the first ray of sun light. In karate its meaning is that now the student’s mind is open to accept more possible techniques and methods.

Orange Belt − This light is an indication of spreading of light on the earth. So it shows how the student is expanding its knowledge in the field.

Green Belt − It depicts the penetration of steams and roots of the plant to get the sun light. In turn this means the student is developing new skills and learning new techniques to master the game.

Blue Belt − The plant is growing up towards the sky which is blue in color. That means student is going deeper to understand each move in karate and differentiating each to gain more knowledge.

Purple Belt − It indicates that the student is very serious about acquiring new belts that is coming across next.

Brown Belt − This shows that the plant is full grown and it is ready for the harvesting. Similarly in karate it indicates that the student has gained adequate knowledge about the skills and now he is ready for the combat.

Red Belt − It signifies the depth of the knowledge that a student possesses and ability to give those a successful direction.

Black belt − Every glowing object has a dark shadow behind it and that is what this color is all about. This belt shows that the person wearing it has mastered all the skills and he poses a great ability within him to enlighten others with his knowledge.