February 7th, 2010 | 
Author: Martial arts belts are a common piece of equipment that serve a couple of purposes for the martial artist. From a practical standpoint, martial arts belts serve as something to hold your pants up and hold your uniform top in place. The way that a belt is tied can vary depending on the length of the belt and the tradition of the school in which you are practicing. Some schools do not use belts at all, or use a substitute. Sashes are a popular substitute and can serve the same purpose while giving the discipline a unique look.
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 – Birth. Absence of all colors. Uncolored by anything.
Yellow- Sun. A life giving force and the beginning of growth and change.
Green- Growth. Student is taking form with the new knowledge
Red- Heat. Refining their skills in the heat of training
Black- A new beginning. The combination of all the colors. The student has achieved a level in which they can train themselves and others.
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.
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This is right on! The Black Belt is not the end, but rather the beginning of the next phase of your life, as a martial artist or a business leader.
When I was given my first black belt, my master told me this story. He said that if I continued my career in martial arts, I’d tie this belt thousands of times. Eventually, the deep black color would fade, and the surface cover of the belt would fray and wear away. Under that outer black layer is the inner core: a white belt.
This represents the concept of “Beginner’s Mind.” No matter where you are in your life or career, approach each new day with a sense of wonder and curiosity. Beginner’s Mind is really the mind of the Master. What can you learn today? How can you approve?
“Perfection is not a destination, but a never-ending process…Enjoy!”
Jim Bouchard
Speaker, Black Belt Mindset Master and author of Think Like a Black Belt
Visit JimBouchard.org