| Though the karate belt ranking system has been | | | | particular belt level they are given a test, which is |
| used in our country for many years, it was | | | | a series of moves if done alone without another |
| originally thought to consist only of two belts. The | | | | combatant is called kata. If the moves are against |
| white belt, which is typically the first belt given to | | | | an opponent it is called kumite or sparring. How |
| students in the beginning, and the black belt is | | | | they perform in this phase determines whether |
| used to show a high level of proficiency in the | | | | they are judged to be competent to proceed to |
| system of study. In Japan, the two color belts | | | | the next belt level. Upon passing this test they |
| were all that was used for many decades and | | | | are given the next color belt rank, along with this |
| only later in modern times was the color belt | | | | comes a monetary element. They are charged |
| ranking system installed. However, even today | | | | for the test, it is called a testing fee and is |
| there are many traditional schools in Japan that | | | | implemented at almost all the martial schools. It |
| still use the two belt system. | | | | helps pay for the overhead and the instructor's |
| The actual material of the belt generally consists | | | | time. Generally the higher up in rank the student |
| of a cotton outer layer with a interior batting of | | | | the more expensive the test fees are. |
| polyester and stitching to give the belt its form. | | | | The higher up in rank,meaning the darker the |
| Besides using the traditional cotton lining of the | | | | color, the farther up the belt system you are. For |
| belt, the exterior can also be made of a polyester | | | | some reason it has always been that the darker |
| fabric. Also, it should be noted that the Chinese | | | | color belt you are the more advanced one is in |
| element of martial arts uses sashes instead of | | | | their respective system of study. It is also the |
| the harder, narrower belts. The sash is used for | | | | case that when one has achieved the rank of |
| the same purpose and it also can come in many | | | | black belt it is possible to get embroidery done on |
| colors. It is simply a soft, pliable material similar to | | | | the belt. Usually the name of the student and his |
| a neck scarf. The colors of the belt or sash are | | | | instructor is embroidered on the belt in colors of |
| generally white, yellow, orange, purple, blue, green, | | | | either red or gold. |
| brown, red, and black. There may be some | | | | It has always been the rule that the longer time |
| variations of colors added depending on the | | | | spent In the study of martial arts, the higher up in |
| system of study. Each martial art systems has its | | | | belt ranking, which is the color of the belt you |
| own level of expertise assigned to each color. So | | | | were. It is a time honored method of showing the |
| that, in general, no two styles use the same color | | | | effort made in the study of the particular martial |
| for denoting the level of proficiency of the | | | | art, with the accomplishment of being awarded |
| respective student. | | | | the black belt as the ultimate honor. It is similar to |
| Besides using the various colors to denote the skill | | | | being given a medal in other sporting events as |
| level, there is a monetary aspect to the various | | | | proof of the success of their accomplishment. It |
| ranking systems. Often it is the case that when a | | | | will always hold as the epitome of the martial arts |
| student has reached the maximum skill for the | | | | goal. |