The order of belts in Kenpo is different from many other systems.
Karate Belt Colours Originated in Japan
The idea of ranking karate belts according to colour was introduced by the Japanese at the turn of the 20th century. Each belt signifies a progression in skill, but more importantly a change in attitude. Today there are many different ranks in countless systems across the world. In Kenpo Freestyle the belts progress as follows with their meanings explained. Keep in mind there are many interpretations of this.
The Meaning of Each Karate Belt Colour
White belt means absolute beginner, a clean slate, and is the colour of innocence. There is no shame in being a white belt and the instructor, most of all, realizes this because he or she was once one.
Yellow belt and Orange belt-these colours represent a new beginning as these colours are seen at sunrise. They reflect enthusiasm, passion, and energy. Yellow is also associated with hope. Orange is a darker colour, reflecting greater maturity than Yellow.
Purple belt represents springtime and creativity. It is the stage where a student is still fresh, but is becoming increasingly creative in applying techniques.
Blue belts are reaching toward the blue sky and show maturity in the middle stages on the road to black belt. The colour blue means calmness, responsibility, strength, and reliability, and blue belts typically embody these qualities. Also, in a blue belt you can see the fluidity of movements, like water.
Green belts are the last in the intermediate stages of training. Green signifies the branches and leaves growing upward and outward, reaching toward the sky. The change in colour from green to brown also portrays the change in colours to autumn as the student gains experience.
Brown is the colour of the earth and is the first advanced belt. It represents the roots of the tree planted firmly in the earth. It is a steadfast and reliable colour. At this stage the student becomes more watchful and critical, and is striving for perfection.
Black belt signifies power, both mentally and physically. It also represents mastery, calmness, and dignity. It is just the start of a path to true mastery of the art as the student climbs the ranks of black belts, 1st degree through 10th degree.
White Belt Completes Cycle
White belt completes the circle. Look at the belt of a sensei who has been a black belt for 30 years or so and it is white. It is at this stage if not before that a true sensei realizes how little he or she knows in the whole scheme of things.
Just as you cannot rush a plant through its growing stages, a martial artist must progress slowly and naturally through the belts to achieve proficiency and maturity.
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{ 11 comments }
Sensei Matt
Great explanation of the belt colours and their value to the martial artist as way to show how they are developing.
Not just in skills but in maturity and realisation of what it means to be a martial artist.
Sharon
Thanks Sharon for your insights, I thought it would be helpful to provide our students with a guide to both belt order and the meaning behind it so they know what is in store along their journey.
Loved this article Sensei, the deeper meanings are sometimes lost, not by incompetence but by the wrong questions being asked .. you not only have the answers but you asked the right questions for the students. Great work.
Kind Regards, Zoltan
Your belt is your Badge of Honor with every belt colour you obtain you are expected to both learn more new & exciting moves & Revise all what you have learn’t before, Because if you don’t know what you have learnt how can you learn more & understand why? “Always remember where you came from as it is the road to your feature success”
Good article Sensei, I thought your descriptions of each belt colour could be related back to the levels of the student and how they are maturing into martial artists. To see where they have come from in the beginning to the levels they are now is incredible.
Thanks for the comments guys. Zoltan, I always try to question to arrive at a truth for me, but this is not necessarily the truth for someone else. Shandor, good point about the Badge of Honor, a student should be proud of their belts–nevertheless, some prefer not to wear them during class. I make it a point to call them white belts during that class–they hate it. Next week they wear their belts. Simple solution. Steve, good points–I am amazed by the progression of students constantly. Some you think might never have the tools to get to black belt, but I am pleasantly surprised time after time. Never underestimate a martial artist.
Well Said To All!, you know what if every blog you put up Sensei Matt brings out so much wisdom, I think you have achieved your goal!. It is great to see the passion and true wisdom expressed by the very people we watched grow up into awesome martial artists; I take my hat off to you all, You Do The Club Proud! Oh & one more thing “The wise man asks himself the reason of his mistakes. The fool asks others.”
Yours Sincerely Shandor Cheers
“Empty your mind, be formless, shapeless – like water. Now you put water into a cup, it becomes the cup, you put water into a bottle, it becomes the bottle, you put it in a teapot, it becomes the teapot. Now water can flow or it can crash. Be water, my friend.”
Pretty nice post. I just stumbled upon your blog and wanted to say that I have really enjoyed browsing your blog posts. In any case I’ll be subscribing to your feed and I hope you write again soon!
I do this karate at south penrith and im only orange belt
Thanks for your comment Anthony and keep up the good training.
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