Many styles of martial arts use colored belts to identify the practitioner's skill level, or degree, of knowledge. Belt colors, and the order in which they are attained, will vary among martial art styles but will generally start with white and darken in color until black. A white belt, absent of color, is traditionally used to signify the beginner, or one coming to the art empty of knowledge. The black belt, which is a combination of all colors, represents mastery of the art. While there are many styles of martial arts, most can generally be classified into three main schools: karate, kung-fu and tae kwon do.
Karate
In most karate schools, the belt color progresses from white (novice) to yellow, green, brown and black (master). Other karate styles may go in the order of white, yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and black.
Kung-Fu
Traditional Chinese martial arts do not use a colored belt system to signify rank. If a style does use a belt, it is referred to as a sash and is often limited to the colors of white and black.
Tae Kwon Do
Many Tae Kwon Do practitioners will adhere to a similar color ranking system as the Japanese arts such as karate. The order of the colors may vary but will generally follow white, yellow, orange, green, blue, purple, brown, red and black.
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