How to Identify Karate Belts

Various forms of martial arts are unwittingly referred to as "karate", although this may not actually be the case. Different disciplines within the martial arts use different styles of fighting, for example, karate is mainly striking, tae kwon do (kicking), judo (grappling), stick fighting (weapons), among many others. The belt is the most essential part of any martial arts uniform, as it identifies your rank. For the most part, various disciplines use a similar belt system, although it varies between schools.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. In general, students of martial arts begin with a white belt and progress through a series of color belts until they reach black belt. There are usually many levels of black belt, with stripes on the belts indicating the level (one stripe indicates the first level, etc.). Belts are worn tied around the waist, over martial arts uniforms.
2. Martial arts schools may use a tipping system, in which students earn "tips" or stripes on their martial arts belt to show that they have learned certain skills and are preparing to test for the next belt level.
3. In karate, the basic belt colors are white, yellow, green, brown, and then black belt. Different dojos may add other colored belts within this line up, such as purple, blue, and orange. The levels of black belt in karate are referred to as "dan". First dan is indicated by one stripe on the black belt, second dan = two stripes, etc.
4. In tae kwon do, there can also be many levels of belts. In one popular program, the beginner tae kwon do belts include white, orange, and gold. Intermediate students progress through green, purple, blue, and blue I (blue with a black stripe running through the middle from end to end). Advanced belts are brown, brown I, red, and red I. When preparing for the black belt test, students wear belts that are half red and half black, which is worn with red on top before testing and with black on top after testing until their embroidered black belt is ready.
   
   There are many levels of black belt in taekwondo. The level of black belt is indicated by the number of stripes on the belt, for example, 1st degree black belts have one stripe on their belt, 2nd degree = 2 stripes, etc.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep in mind that different martial arts schools will have their own belt system, even within a single discipline such as karate.
• Never wash martial arts belts!