System of Rank:
The "obi," a term used for belt, is tied round to the "dogi," the exercise dress, depicting the level of the skill the wearer has gained. Six colours belts are denoting each different level of the player. The six colours widely used are white, blue, yellow, green, red, and black. These belts denote the skills and further progress in terms of dashes on them. But the white belt doesn't have the dashes. So let's learn about the description and significance of these belts.
For Black Belts, the minimum time requirement for testing are:
- Colour Belt: Minimum of three months required (Depends upon students and instructors)
- 1st to 2nd Dan: 2 years
- 2nd to 3rd Dan: 3 years
- 3rd to 4th Dan: 4 years
etc.
To be an Examiner, one must be at least a 4th Dan Black Belt.
| Colour Belt | |
| White Belt | 6th Gup |
| Yellow Belt | 5th Gup |
| Green Belt | 4th Gup |
| Blue Belt | 3rd Gup |
| Red Belt | 2nd Gup |
| Pre Black Belt | 1st Gup |
| Black Belt | |
| 1st Dan | Assistant Instructor |
| 2nd Dan | Assistant Instructor |
| 3rd Dan | Assistant Instructor |
| 4th Dan | International Instructor |
| 5th Dan | International Instructor |
| 6th Dan | International Instructor |
| 7th Dan | Master Instructor |
| 8th Dan | Master Instructor |
| 9th Dan | Grandmaster |
Meanings of Belt Colours:
| Colour | Meaning |
| White | it is called Mukyu "No Kyu" that shows beginner level belt. This is the belt that depicts no growth. The white colour symbolizes purity and goodness as per the Japanese and English and values. The white belt has a specific purpose: to grip the 'Dogi' thoroughly and understand tying the belt to the outfit. |
| Yellow | it is called Mukyu "No Kyu" that shows beginner level belt. This is the belt that depicts no growth. The white colour symbolizes purity and goodness as per the Japanese and English and values. The white belt has a specific purpose: to grip the 'Dogi' thoroughly and understand tying the belt to the outfit. |
| Green | The belt symbolizes that the wearer can do more physical strength exercises like shutouchikomi, shutosakutsu, shutouchiuchi and the shutohizo. The green symbolizes growth and enhancement in the area spiritually and physically. The continuation of this is with Dash is called III Kyu. This is provided to the one who has gained proficiency with the elbows. Many such strikes like chudanmaehiji ate, oroshihiji ate, chudanhiji ate, age hiji ate, and ushirohiji ate. Also, there two more that are taikyokosononi in ura and pinansono yon. The connection of this belt symbolizes that we are living and have the power to grow more. |
| Blue | It is the third belt and the wearer of this belt considered to be a regular learner of basics and making perfection of orange belt’s learnings. During the learning phase of this, the students are advised to learn about upper body usage. The more focus is on flexibility, strength, coordination and balance, and understanding of the balance of mind. The extended version of this is with dash – the blue colour symbolizes the ocean or sky. As the sky and sea have a vastness similarly, this belt expresses the vastness of learning and balancing. Hence the wearer of this belt is required to have the ability and power to master this art. |
| Red | Red means danger, cautioning the student to exercise control and warning the opponent to stay away from the red belt fighters. |
| Black | The first phase is Black Belt With One Dash Senpai - Black Belt I Degree -Shodan – as the black colour can absorb all and represents as one solidify the paint. The wearer of this belt has to be examined on the strengths developed from the previous belts. The person shall accomplish all the requirements of basic moves and other techniques. |
