Different belts symbolize the various stages of physical and spiritual development in martial arts. The following is a list of belts and their color interpretations
Grade |
Color |
Description |
10th Gup |
White |
A student who has no knowledge of the art but has begun the journey. White, being a non-color, expresses a VOID, NO ACTION. |
9th Gup |
White w/ Star |
Student has learned the basics. 1) the student creed,Yellow Star 2) A leader is best Red Star, and 3) Personal Creed, Black Star |
8th Gup |
Yellow |
Development has slowly begun. Yellow represents CAUTION, careful and slow movements. |
7th Gup |
Purple |
The student receives his or her first dark color, representing the DESIRE TO LEARN andCONCENTRATION. |
6th Gup |
Green |
Student has begun to achieve a higher level of concentration, FOCUS and COORDINATION of technique. |
5th Gup |
Blue |
Student has begun to acquire SKILL and is developing CONFIDENCE. |
4th Gup |
Brown |
Student has begun to coordinate SKILL with CONFIDENCE. |
3rd Gup |
Red |
Student is now developing SPEED and techniques with FLOWING MOTION. |
2nd Gup |
Red w/ Black stripes |
Student is combining SPEED with STRENGTH resulting in power. He or she has no begun to work on ACCURACY. |
1st Gup |
Deputy Black |
Student has successfully combined POWER with ACCURACY. The black signifies MATURITYand NO FEAR, self confidence as well as self discipline has helped the student overcome him or herself. |
Dan |
Black |
All has now come together in HARMONY. The student has obtained SELF-CONFIDENCE andMATURITY. The student has graduated to a DEGREE in the martial arts. There are nine degrees of black belt. |