The Meaning Of Karate Belts

By Richardo Manning


There are some pretty awesome perks to learning a martial art. Some people do it to channel inner energy. Others want to get fit. Others just think it's cool. But perhaps one of the most compelling reasons is to learn how to protect yourself. There are a lot of creepers out there that you should not let take advantage of you. Learning even the basics of a martial art can go a long way to protect you against aggressive attacks. Here are just a few excellent martial arts for self-defense (in no particular order).

But even though we are all familiar with the words "karate, karate-chop, wax-on, wax-off, and black belt" most of us don't really know much else. If you've ever been curious about what the different colors mean and what exactly karate is, here's a quick summary: Among the most popular forms of marital arts are the following. Karate, Judo, and Jujutsu are from Japan. Taekwondo is Korean. Kung Fu is Chinese. Muay Thai is from Thailand.

Most of these use belts as an indication of rank and skill. While each art and even school uses variations, the following is one of the most common orders of belts and some indication of their meaning.

White: A novice wears white, which some say symbolizes the pureness of birth or a beginning. Yellow: The next level is yellow. It can be compared to the first beam of light the seed meets, which will give it strength to develop further. Orange: Next comes orange, which represents the growing power of the sun. As the student continues to learn from his/her master, he/she will gain strength and continue to develop.

Green: As the student develops, he/she can be compared to the green plant that is growing and developing into a recognizable organism. Blue: (Sometimes precedes green.) The middle stage is blue. It is often compared to the blue sky that the growing plant is reaching towards, just as a student progresses to higher ranks. Purple: As the student progresses towards advanced levels he/she becomes a purple belt. This can represent the changing color of the sky at dawn which indicates a new development of day.

Brown: Once a student reaches brown belt, they are considered advanced. The brown is said to represent the ripening of the seed, preparing for harvest and the fruits of their labor. Red: (Red is the most variable - sometimes representing novice, other times coming before/after brown and even black. However, red usually comes before or after brown.) The red usually represents the red-hot sun. As the student/plant reaches higher levels, they also learn to be more cautious with their developing powers. Red can also represent danger, as the student's skills make him/her dangerous.

Karate Perhaps the most famous form of martial arts, karate is especially effective when it comes to defense. It is a highly reflective art that will deflect almost any attack and swiftly take down an attacker. Just watch The Karate Kid and you'll understand.

If you or your children would like to learn a form of martial arts, there are great opportunities right in your neighborhood with Taekwondo in Provo or Martial Arts Summer Camp.




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