Karate is an oriental discipline of Chinese origin although it arose in Japanese territory., so it mixes both cultures. "Karate" derives from the Japanese word "karate" which literally means “empty hand”” (kara: empty and te: hand) since It is based on the execution of a series of precise blows with the fists (kata). It is a combat sport that became very popular when it was included in the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.
The karate or karate practitioner will ascend in their learning through a series of levels or degrees (obi) which are typified by different colors on the belts of the karate outfit. In this article, we'll tell you all about the colors of karate belts and their meaning so that you can understand what progress is like through this discipline.
What is karate?
The Karate It is a martial art of Chinese origin. (although it originated in Japan) based on a series of techniques aimed at increasing body and energy power through the precise execution of some types of regulatory blows (katas).
"Karate" has its origin in the Japanese word karate, which literally means "empty hand" (kara: empty and te: hand) and this is so because of the technique that characterizes him, based on blows to the air with "empty hand", since the clenched fist contains nothing, "only air". And since he is well known by a probable majority, the person who practices it is known as a "karate fighter."
Karate is a technical and spiritual practice
Like any ancient discipline, his practice goes beyond a purely technical execution, housing a spiritual dimension that completes its meaning. Karate, well understood from its origins, it is a way of life and human growth. For this reason, its history is long and it has gone through different forms in which it has evolved, giving rise to many styles (Shotokan Karate, Shitoryu, Goju Ryu, Kyokushin, Kenpo Karate and a long etc.).
Therefore, karate could not technically be defined as a sport Because its meaning is much broader. Although in the Western world, it has become established as a "sport" because its practice is more focused on technical aspects. In fact, it was introduced as a sport at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. It is also an important moment in the history of this martial art.
Karate is a martial art that prepares the student for combat and the correct execution of techniques or kion requires rigorous training that combines work on strength, balance, coordination, elasticity and speed.
The characteristic of this type of combat is that -unlike others- seeks to "save energy" through the precision of the blows, instead of using long successions of rapid impacts as occurs in other disciplines, for example boxing. That is, it is about making intelligent use of body energy, what the Chinese call the About o Qi is "The force of life" o “life energy flow”. It is a sacred energy, which is why it requires good use and proper focus, in this case through precise blows. Thus is a "spiritual combat" whose essence is far from all violence.
learning karate
Karate is a discipline that can last a lifetime (although the first levels are easily reached in a few months of practice) and their learning is divided into a series of levels or grades (obi) through which the student will ascend according to their evolution. The promotion to a new level will be evaluated by a jury that examines the student's performances.
To know at what level the karate fighter is, there are different colors of the belts of the martial attire. For this reason, we will talk about the colors of the karate belts and their meaning.
The colors of the karate belts and their meaning
The current karate measures the level of the karate u obi through the system of colored belts that we all know. But to understand how this classification is established, it is necessary to know how the level of learning is structured in this discipline.
And is that the degrees in karate they are divided into two categories: on the one hand there is the most basic scale, the one corresponding to minor karate or work kyu, and on the other, the scale of mastery or work Then. In each system we find 10 levels or 10 obi with reverse orders: that is, while in the system kyu, the most basic level is the obi 10 corresponding to the white belt (with which every student begins), in the Dan system, 10 would be the obi of the maximum mastery (and that very few people reach).
Thus, when a karate fighter completes all levels kyu and reaches the black belt or first Then, would begin a stage of mastery on his way as a karate fighter through the various levels Dan. Therefore, that means that the black belt -far from what is popularly believed- it is not the end of karate practice, on the contrary, it is only the beginning: from there you can start a long path of improvement until you reach the highest mastery or tenth Dan.
Although the color scale of karate belts follows a more or less fixed pattern of colors, We can find some variations depending on the karate style and the rules established by the dojo and the organizations of each country. For example, the kata and the kumite (two popular styles of karate) can have different sequences kyu, so the obi they may be represented by different colors on their belts.
The colors of the karate belts indicate the level u obi of the karate fighter
In the system kyu or karate minor, Beginning karate fighters start with a white belt. (lowest level) and progress progressively through all the colors until they reach brown (maximum level kyu) and finally to black (first Then).
Once you have reached the black belt (perfection) or first Then, you will advance successively through the following levels until the tenth or last Then (who arrives). In the system Then obi may vary in color depending on the dojo lead the practice.
Therefore, what we will indicate next will be the colors of the obi corresponding to the sequence kyuIe, the colors of the popularly known karate belts. Each color not only represents a obi but also a symbol (technical and spiritual) of the level of learning:
- White: is the tenth kyu and represents the purity. It means the start of the transformation.
- Yellow: is the luminosity and symbolizes the union or alliance, as well as the search.
- Orange: is the color of the Energy and represents the to maximise security and your enjoyment., the will and the emotion to learn.
- Green: green is the esperanza that invites reflection and rest and symbolizes the for Growth and balance.
- Blue: represents the harmony and symbolizes the illusion and the trust for achieving progress.
- Brown is the primer kyu and maximum level on this scale. It corresponds to a turning point in the progress of the student, where he passes from the system kyu To the system Dan. indicates intelligence, solidity and the practice and deepening of one's own being.
- Black: is the primer Then (The perfection) and advances upwards to the tenth Dan (mastery). Some dojo make distinctions with white or red stripes or ends on belts of this level. At this point, the student's training is considered advanced enough to begin further training at a master's level or Dan.
Normally this is the order that the obi and its corresponding belt color, but some schools include more colors or combinations and this is how we can find, for example, purple after blue and before brown.
At child karate it is common to find colored striped belts instead of a single uniform color as in adult karate. The combinations can be very varied (white-yellow, yellow-orange, orange-green, green-blue and blue-brown) and it is basically A way to keep kids motivated.