Martial arts traditionally did not have a belt system recognizing ranks. Originally, students were taught certain practices after the instructor had determined that the student was ready. The usage of belts to denote skill level was first used by Kano Jigoro, who founded judo, in the 1880s. The amount and colors of belt ranks vary widely among the different martial arts. Systems that utilize the same ranking system do not necessarily equate the same belt levels with the same skill level.
Karate Belts
Karate, a martial art originating in Okinawa, Japan, has a system of belts starting at white for new students. The colors of the belts typically progress, in ascending order, to yellow, orange, green, blue, brown and finally black.
Tae kwon do
Tae kwon do typically uses, in ascending order, white, yellow, green, blue, red, and black belts to denote rank. This system generally uses a stripe system denoting progress in a particular belt ranking. Each belt receives a strip the color of the next belt step on the belt at about half way.
Judo
Judo has a ranking system of six levels for students and 10 levels for masters. The lowest three ranks of students use a white belt. The three higher ranks of student use a brown belt. The five lower-end ranks of master use a black belt. Sixth through eighth degree masters use a red and white belt and ninth- and 10th-degree masters use a solid red belt.
Kung Fu
Kung Fu has never had an established belt ranking system. Depending on the school and style, the belt system can range anywhere from very complicated with eight or more belt rankings and stripes to no ranking system at all.
Jeet Kun Do
Jeet Kun Do does not utilize a belt system at all. Bruce Lee, who developed this martial art, did not desire a belt ranking system for his style. Some schools may use belt ranking systems that vary widely.
Brazilian Jiu jitsu
Brazilian Jiu Jitsu utilizes different belt ranking systems for adults and kids under 16 years of age. For juniors, the belt ranking system starts at white, and progresses through orange and green to stop when they receive green with a stripe. After the age of 16, the child progresses to adult belt levels. The adult belt levels start at white and move through blue, purple and brown to attain black. Black belts receive stripes for the first five degrees. At sixth degree and seventh degree, a red and black belt is worn. Ninth- and 10th-degree students wear red belts.
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