The Martial arts belt is one of the most common pieces of the martial arts uniform. While different arts may have different types and styles of uniforms – From the commonly seen tops and pants of karate uniforms to the more elaborate jackets, shorts and shirts of different styles, most disciplines will wear a belt, sash or something around the waist. While definitely having a functional aspect, like a karate beltholding up one’s pants or keeping your gi top in place, the belt can also be used as a weapon. I have seen the belt used to wrap around and choke an opponent and in some cases it has been used to entangle an enemies weapons. But there is a deeper meaning to the belt as well.
The other purpose is to signify rank. Almost all schools and traditions agree that the White Belt is for beginners and the Black Belt is for the master. Other than that, belt colors and markings can have more meanings than you could possibly imagine. Normally, students start out as a white belt and work their way up to the much coveted black belt. Some think the idea of the white/black belt came from ancient practitioners who started with a white belt and through training ended up with a black belt. That is also why some martial arts schools do not want you to wash your belt.
Each tradition will have its own idea as to the color progression and significance of that color. While wearing the traditional karate uniform, one school that I attended for a short period of time, used the following idea for their belt progression:
White – Purity. New and clean.
Yellow- Earth. The starting point of growth.
Green- Growth. Student is taking form with the new knowledge
Red- Fire. The student begins to hone their knowledge in refining fire.
Black- Mastery. Full development and maturity.
Achievement of the black belt is usually understood that the practitioner has only begun to attain real knowledge. The black belt signifies a completion of the steps necessary and an acquisition of the information that the discipline is trying to teach. However, the true mastery of this knowledge is only just starting. In fact, most students who reach black belt never actually reach mastery. They simply have the knowledge and information to begin their journey. Uniforms, weapons and the like are important to the practitioner of martial arts, but martial arts belts (although seemingly insignificant at first glance), rank right there with the others in importance and significance in the grand scheme of things.