Virtually every martial art has a ranking system symbolized by different-colored belts. Each martial art and each school can have its own belt ranking system, but, in general, students of higher rank wear darker-colored belts. Most martial arts schools use five to 10 different-colored belts in their ranking system.
White Belt
White symbolizes purity. This is why virtually every martial art starts students with a white belt. Some martial arts require new students to earn their white belts by passing a basic test of knowledge. Others assign white belts to new students along with their martial arts uniforms.
Yellow and Orange Belts
Martial arts students who learn skills are rewarded with different-colored belts. Most martial arts schools award yellow and orange belts to white-belt students after the first few months of study. Some martial arts schools use both these colors while others use just one. The order of the belts can also vary from school to school.
Green, Blue and Purple Belts
Intermediate martial arts students are awarded progressively darker-colored belts. The intermediate colors used by most martial arts schools include green, blue and purple. Schools can use some or all of these colors in varying order. Intermediate-level martial arts students have studied one to three years.
Red and Brown Belts
Red belts and brown belts are worn by serious martial arts students who are preparing for their black-belt training. Promotions at this level are less frequent, sometimes just once per year. Some martial arts schools use red belts as the highest rank before black while others use brown.
Black Belt
A martial artist who wears a black belt is considered an instructor. This usually requires about five years of study. Black belts are the only belts embroidered with the student's name and the name of the martial arts school. When black-belt students are promoted to second, third and fourth degrees, gold stripes are added to the end of their black belts.
Master Belt
A fifth-degree black belt is considered a master. Martial arts masters have the option of wearing a black belt with a red stripe through the middle. At least 15 years of martial arts study is required to become a master.
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