Awarding various colored belts to signify the achievement of new levels of expertise in karate (and other martial arts) is a relatively recent tradition. The Judo Info website credits teacher Mikonosuke Kawaishi with initiating the colored belt system in Europe in 1935 as an incentive for his western students. The practice was then adapted into other martial arts, including karate. Grand Master James S. Benko of the International Tae Kwon-Do Association states that earning a belt not only indicates an advancement of rank, but an advancement of personal growth. Not every karate school uses all the colors, and the order of the colors may vary slightly. Belt colors can also be interpreted in more than one way.
White
White, the color of a seedling beneath the cover of earth, signifies a beginner to the martial arts. White also symbolizes the innocence of a new student that embarks on his journey with no prior knowledge.
Yellow
Yellow is the symbol of the first rays of the sun shining on the seed. Yellow can also symbolize the earth in which the seed sends its roots for nourishment. A student earns a yellow sash by allowing his mind to be opened to the knowledge of his instructors.
Orange
Orange is a symbol of the increasing power of the sun as it warms the earth and makes plants grow. The orange-belt student begins to develop both physically and mentally in his martial arts discipline.
Green
The green belt signifies growth, just as a seed bursts forth from the earth and sends up leaves. Green-belt students have a firm foundation of martial arts knowledge on which to build as they practice and refine their skills.
Blue
The blue belt is a symbol of the sky, which the young plant tries to reach. The blue-belt student focuses his energy on achieving the next level.
Purple
Purple is a symbol of mountains and the steep paths they present. As the student moves on to higher levels of achievement, he has difficult tasks to master. Purple can also represent the sky at dawn, a symbol of the change that a student undergoes as he transitions to the advanced levels of martial arts.
Brown
The brown belt is a symbol of the ripening and maturing of a plant. The brown-belt student is gaining the maturity necessary to advance to the highest levels. He is reaping the benefits of hard work.
Red
The red belt can be seen as a symbol of the power of the red-hot sun. A red-belt student must learn to practice caution and control in the use of his abilities.
Black
The black belt, the ultimate achievement of martial arts skills, symbolizes the "darkness beyond the sun," explains the World Martial Arts Center website. Even as he teaches others, the black belt holder continues to broaden his own understanding, continually seeking knowledge and enlightenment. Within the black belt level, a separate ranking system breaks down mastery into degrees, or levels of achievement.
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