Martial Arts Equipment - The Belt

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 belt is more importantly used to show a student’s level of achievement. There are very few disciplines that do not use the white belt to signify a novice and a black belt to identify a master. This is where most agreements end. I have been to numerous schools and not one of them agrees upon meaning or the progression of colors, beyond white and black. Some schools even use multi-colored, or partially colored belts to show achievement.

Schools have many different ideas on what the symbolism of the belt color is. Here is one example from a nearby school that uses karate uniforms:

White - New beginning. Without blemish. Pure

Yellow- Action. Beginning of movements.

Green- Life. The concepts of Martial arts starts to take life in the student.

Red- Heat. Refining their skills in the heat of training

Black- Mastery. Full development and maturity.

Most martial arts disciplines agree that the black belt is really just the beginning of understanding the art. Once a black belt is reached, the student has a true understanding of the meaning and fundamentals, but is only just starting their quest for mastery. As a matter of fact, mastery may never be achieved, but it is something to be strived for. As has been discussed, whether it is a belt of sash, one of the most basic pieces of almost all martial arts uniforms is the belt. Its use and meaning is quite important to the world to practitioners of almost every discipline.