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Belt Rank

Discussion in 'General Martial Arts Discussion' started by Phi Nguyen, Apr 5, 2003.

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Aegis River Guardian Admin Supporter

Originally posted by KickChick
"Classes were usually small enough that everyone knew who the instructor was...thus the instructor dressed no differently than his students. Everyone wore belts that were colored white, for the express purpose of keeping their gi-tops or doboks from flying open."

"However, even though they never had belt tests, the color of their belts did change. As the student began to work hard, his sweat would pour out, and stain his belt from white to a dim-yellow. As time passed, the sweat stains were joined by grass stains attained from rolling on the ground, and thus the belt would appear to have a greenish-tint to it. As the student continued to acquire grass stains, he would also continue to sweat, forcing a color change of green and yellow at the same time, thus the belt would appear to be blue. Dirt would also begin to collect on the belt, as student progressed, sometimes creating the illusion of brown. As the student advanced, and became better and better, his instructors and opponents would push him harder, and frequently injure him to the point of bleeding, which would cause the belt to show qualities of a dark red.

Ultimately, when the belt was stained to the point that no color change would occur, it became a dark-gray or black. This change would take years to occur, and signified the wearer as an advanced practicioner. But this was not the last change to take place. Eventually, after many years, the material on the belt itself began to wear away, and it would slowly change from black, BACK to white. A person whose belt had endured this change, was revered as a master, and respected by warrior and commoner alike."
Belt and Color Meanings
Click to expand...

This is a great story, and is in fact one of the most commonly heard stories in martial; arts, but it's made up. There are a few places out there that still teach the story as fact, but it has been debunked by several people. Try here for a detailed discussion.

Aegis, Jul 7, 2003

#41

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