The origin of the Black Belt begins when a student was given a white belt, and then trained everyday and listened to his instructor and always tried to the best of their ability. In Asia, they would normally train on dirt floors, so as the student continued to train, their belts would start to get dirty from handling them with sweaty hands and training while wearing them (it is customary not to wash your belts). The belts would continue to get dirtier until they appeared BLACK (this usually took 4-6 years). One day, the student's instructor would come into the classroom and observe the blackness (dirt) of the belt. He would then untie the belt and re-tie it on the student and declare the student a Black Belt.
This Asian custom was much like the European custom of being "Knighted" in the medieval times. They both occurred in the same time frame in the history of earth. The Black Belt, like the Knight, would be skilled, courageous, and virtuous and have the valor that would separate him from other men. They would be humble, calm and courteous, but would fight to the end against all odds.
In the Late 60's, many Asian Masters came to the United States and found Americans did not have the patience for such a long wait for the coveted Black Belt so they came up with these colored belts that would show gradual advancement so American students would stay the journey to their destination.
Below is our belt ranking system with a short description of the color which is standard in the Martial Arts world:
WHITE - Beginners belt color. White represents a primitive and naive stage of achievement. Thus, the seed as it lies dormant beneath the snows of winter. 4-6 weeks to advance.
YELLOW - represents yearning to grow and understand. 4-6 weeks to advance.
ORANGE - Orange represents new growth, which appears in the spring of the student's development. Martial Art knowledge begins to reveal itself. This belt promotes to one green stripe before changing. 2-3 months to advance each level.
GREEN - represents speedy development of youth as summer arrives. The student becomes more confident with their training and starts to develop a peacefulness or calm. This belt promotes to two red stripes before changing color. 2-3 months per level to advance.
RED - Red represents blood, life, energy, fire and control. The student's power and ease of technique begins and truly starts to understand and become the person they need to be to reach their goals. This belt comes with two dark blue stripes before changing color, At the end of this belt the student is proficient in all matters of the art. 6 months per level to advance.
BROWN - This is Black Belt Elect (Chodan Bo). This belt represents the curing process. This is the season of the Black Belt. The student will have the technique and knowledge of the black belt but that knowledge must age with time. When their time comes during this belt, a discovery comes to them that they are a Black Belt. They begin to feel like a Black Belt and begin to act as one. 6 months-18 months varies per individual.
BLACK BELT - At this point and throughout the next year, the student comes full circle with their self and sees new students coming in with the spirit and enthusiasm to learn the art. They can remember themselves when they started and can see themselves in those students.
